Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:03 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:03 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Practise in contemporary mental health care
Practise in contemporary mental health care
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTEN617B
HLTEN617B
State Code
D8242
D8242
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/07/2011
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
22/07/2011
Nominal Hours
80
Description
DescriptorThis competency unit describes the skills and knowledge required by Enrolled/Division 2 nurses to perform nursing interventions to assist the person with a mental health condition to maintain or regain optimal function and lifestyleIt focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the Enrolled/Division 2 Nurse within the mental health team, and on the nursing management of the consumer with a mental illness within the acute and/or community mental health environment
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Work as part of the multidisciplinary health care team for the consumer requiring mental health care
- 1.1 Contribute appropriately to support the role of the multidisciplinary health care team in managing care of the consumer requiring mental health care
- 1.2 Contribute to achieving effective team work and supportive group dynamics when working with health care colleagues
- 1.3 Establish appropriate relationships with other members of the health care team
- 1.4 Incorporate into own nursing practice the philosophical and policy frameworks for managing care for the consumer requiring mental health services
- 1.5 Incorporate into own nursing practice the legal framework for managing care for the consumer requiring mental health services
- 1.6 Recognise the contributions of emergency service personnel, referring agencies, hospital and community team staff and community support groups to the care needs of the mental health services consumer
- 1.7 Participate safely as part of team in interventions involving chemical or physical restraint
2. Clarify the impact of mental health consumer's treatment and rehabilitation on the consumer and/or their family
- 2.1 Perform a holistic assessment of the consumer in consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse
- 2.2 Incorporate an understanding of anatomy and physiology and mental health disorder classifications into nursing practice
- 2.3 Work with a knowledge of various manifestations of consumer's area(s) of mental health problem
- 2.4 Discuss with consumers the psychosocial impact of their mental health problem on their activities of daily living
- 2.5 Assist the consumer and family to identify common problems, complications and resources available for the consumer with a mental health problem
- 2.6 Communicate effectively with consumers, family (including children) and health team members
- 2.7 Clarify the care needs of the consumer with a mental health problem in terms of the phases of care required
3. Contribute to planning appropriate care for the consumer with a mental health problem
- 3.1 Accurately use a range of contemporary assessment tools, including mental state examination and psychiatric assessment
- 3.2 Establish and use a database of resource personnel to assist in care for the consumer with a mental health disorder
- 3.3 In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse, recognise and understand a range of therapeutic interventions available in planning appropriate nursing management strategies
- 3.4 In consultation/collaboration with the consumer and the health care team, develop an individualised plan of care for the consumer with a mental health problem
- 3.5 In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse, and treating team, undertake risk assessment
- 3.6 In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurses, determine observational category for a consumer with a mental health problem
- 3.7 In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse, incorporate into own practice health teaching, referral and discharge planning for the consumer with a mental health problem
4. Implement nursing care plan for the consumer with a mental health problem
- 4.1 In consultation/collaboration with consumer, promote a consistent, structured approach to management of consumer/s behaviours
- 4.2 Involve the consumer and family in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care and outcomes
- 4.3 Maintain focus on consumer/s independent living and social skills
- 4.4 Promote education and awareness about early warning signs and relapse prevention
- 4.5 Maintain a physically and psychologically safe environment
- 4.6 In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse, recognise crisis situations and implement emergency management according to organisation policy and procedure and within legal and professional requirements
- 4.7 Implement nursing interventions in accordance with legal, professional, ethical and organisation requirements
- 4.8 Recognise, report and document consumer responses to specific types of medication used in mental health care
- 4.9 Recognise and respond appropriately to ethical issues related to use of psychopharmacological medication
5. Relate therapeutically to consumers with mental health problems
- 5.1 Respond to consumer behaviour in a therapeutic manner, recognising antecedents for behaviour, as appropriate
- 5.2 Acknowledge individual consumer experiences in a non-judgemental manner
- 5.3 Demonstrate an understanding of the stages and philosophy of therapeutic relationships
- 5.4 Prioritise consumer care issues in accordance with consumer's presentation and behaviour
- 5.5 Maintain professional boundaries and set limits for therapeutic interventions with consumers
- 5.6 Recognise and address own verbal and non-verbal cues that may impact on consumers and others
- 5.7 Reflect on interactions in order to evaluate their therapeutic impact
6. Assist to evaluate the outcomes of planned nursing actions for the consumer with a mental health problem
- 6.1 Monitor consumer response to planned nursing interventions and progress toward planned goals and interventions, and document and report to the appropriate members of the health care team
- 6.2 Initiate appropriate first aid/emergency treatment in response to adverse reactions or complications
- 6.3 Report and document first aid/emergency treatment and consumer response to the treatment
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Multidisciplinary health care team members could include:
Mental health care consumer and their significant others
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Nursing staff
Social workers
Physiotherapists
Occupational therapists
Art therapists
Speech pathologists
Dietitian
Recreation officers
Community services
Transitional rehabilitation services
Carers
Drug and alcohol workers
General practitioners
Consumer advocates
Residential care workers
Health care settings could include:
Hospitals - private or public
Short stay centres
Community living residences
Day centres
Community teams
Aged care services
Assessment of impact of mental health problems may include:
Performance of activities of daily living
Loss or limitation to physical, emotional or cognitive function
Impact on sexuality, relationships, self image, body image
Grief and loss
Eating disorders
Coping mechanisms
Personal and community support mechanisms
Level of communication
Maintenance/improvement of quality of life
Maintenance/improvement of lifestyle
Impact of secondary disease processes
Socially related adjustments and transitions may include:
Role changes
Multiple losses
Social isolation and loneliness
Depression and suicide
Community stereotyping
Changes in body image
Plans of care may include:
Nursing care plans
Social activity plans
Treatment plans
Medical notes
Community referrals
Admission and transfer
Rehabilitation plans
Legal and ethical issues include:
Rights and responsibilities of people with mental health problems
Consent
Power of attorney
Medical Power of attorney
Detention orders
Advocacy
Restraint and seclusion
Ethical principles
Legislation affecting the person with mental health problems
Confidentiality and advice to carers
Research and the person with mental health problems
Specific nursing interventions/clinical skills could include:
Foundation nursing interventions
Complex nursing interventions
Assisting with electro-convulsive therapy
First Aid
Limit setting
Use of assessment tools, including tools for risk assessment
Assistance in direct physical restraint
Group or diversional therapy
Self esteem promoting therapies
Skill building programs
Social normalisation programs
Living skills programs
Counselling
Group therapy skills
Cognitive behaviour therapy
Behaviour modification therapy
Family therapy
Stress management
Anger management
Assertiveness training
Promotion of trusting relationships
Health teaching in relation to consumers needs
Pain management
Manual handling
Rehabilitative care practices
Evaluation of planned care includes:
Level of independence in performance of activities of daily living
Participation in rehabilitation programs
Self management of symptoms
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Multidisciplinary health care team members could include:
Mental health care consumer and their significant others
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Nursing staff
Social workers
Physiotherapists
Occupational therapists
Art therapists
Speech pathologists
Dietitian
Recreation officers
Community services
Transitional rehabilitation services
Carers
Drug and alcohol workers
General practitioners
Consumer advocates
Residential care workers
Health care settings could include:
Hospitals - private or public
Short stay centres
Community living residences
Day centres
Community teams
Aged care services
Assessment of impact of mental health problems may include:
Performance of activities of daily living
Loss or limitation to physical, emotional or cognitive function
Impact on sexuality, relationships, self image, body image
Grief and loss
Eating disorders
Coping mechanisms
Personal and community support mechanisms
Level of communication
Maintenance/improvement of quality of life
Maintenance/improvement of lifestyle
Impact of secondary disease processes
Socially related adjustments and transitions may include:
Role changes
Multiple losses
Social isolation and loneliness
Depression and suicide
Community stereotyping
Changes in body image
Plans of care may include:
Nursing care plans
Social activity plans
Treatment plans
Medical notes
Community referrals
Admission and transfer
Rehabilitation plans
Legal and ethical issues include:
Rights and responsibilities of people with mental health problems
Consent
Power of attorney
Medical Power of attorney
Detention orders
Advocacy
Restraint and seclusion
Ethical principles
Legislation affecting the person with mental health problems
Confidentiality and advice to carers
Research and the person with mental health problems
Specific nursing interventions/clinical skills could include:
Foundation nursing interventions
Complex nursing interventions
Assisting with electro-convulsive therapy
First Aid
Limit setting
Use of assessment tools, including tools for risk assessment
Assistance in direct physical restraint
Group or diversional therapy
Self esteem promoting therapies
Skill building programs
Social normalisation programs
Living skills programs
Counselling
Group therapy skills
Cognitive behaviour therapy
Behaviour modification therapy
Family therapy
Stress management
Anger management
Assertiveness training
Promotion of trusting relationships
Health teaching in relation to consumers needs
Pain management
Manual handling
Rehabilitative care practices
Evaluation of planned care includes:
Level of independence in performance of activities of daily living
Participation in rehabilitation programs
Self management of symptoms
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered mental health nurse
Observations must include:
knowledge of mental health disorders
principles of mental health assessment, including risk assessment
nursing management of mental health disorders, specific medications and interventions within the defined scope of practice
communication skills
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions prior to assessment in the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Questioning - verbal and writing
Role play/simulation
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumers and communities
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered mental health nurse
Observations must include:
knowledge of mental health disorders
principles of mental health assessment, including risk assessment
nursing management of mental health disorders, specific medications and interventions within the defined scope of practice
communication skills
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions prior to assessment in the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Questioning - verbal and writing
Role play/simulation
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumers and communities
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9248 | HLTEN617A | Practise in contemporary mental health care | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD142 | HLTEN617C | Practise in contemporary mental health care | Unit of competency |
