Elements and Performance Criteria

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.


Upper and lower extremity prostheses may include:
Upper extremity prostheses (hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder)
Lower extremity (foot, ankle, knee, hip joints, pelvic band)
Harness systems: one that unlocks the elbow unit as well as operates the hand unit, one that is used for suspension, joints laminated into sockets
Body powered and externally powered control systems
Suspension systems
Modular systems
Occupational and recreational prostheses
Non-standard components
Shoe/toe filler
"Shoe horn" prosthesis
Part inner sole
Toe break
Custom partial hand
Functional attachments
Socket types
Wrist disarticulation


Prescriptions or instructions may include:
Referral from clinician i.e. type of prothesis required
Client clinical history
Client specifications and assessments
Work specifications and patterns
Design/construction drawings/sketches


Appropriate health professionals may include:
Prosthetist Orthotist
Specialist or General Medical Practitioner
Physiotherapist
Other Allied Health Professionals


Design may include:
Types of material: plastic, resin, silicon liner, pelite liner, thermoplastic foam, high temperature thermoplastic, cork, metal, soft collars, textiles(leather, cotton, synthetic), copper, steels, titanium, aluminium, graphite, polypropylene, plastics, polymeric materials, composites, etc.
Component selection i.e.: knee, foot, ankle, pylon, hip joints, pelvic band, hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, partial feet, cosmetic covers, valves, modular systems, fabrication hardware, straps, control systems, external and body powered units, sockets, socket attachments, etc.
Type of Suspension: silicon liner, straps, PTB cuff, PTS, suction, hip joint (mechanical), shoulder belt
Selection of appropriate materials: Polymers, leather, appropriate textiles, plastic sheeting, appropriate padding, cosmetic stocking, fastening or closing devices, thermoplastic, thermo set, silicon, modified acrylic resin
Assessment of materials for proposed use, durability, function, manufacturing processes, adjustability, maintenance, safe handling procedures
Indications for use of specific materials


Organisation policy and procedures may relate to:
Role and supervision of the Prosthetic Orthotic Technician in relation to client contact, design and fitting of prostheses
Safe use of equipment
Client records
Job records
Occupational health and safety
Client confidentiality and privacy
Quality assurance


Effective communication may include:
Language may be English, sign language or community language depending on client group
Listening, asking open questions, providing encouragement, displaying empathy


Equipment may include:
General hand and portable power tools
Machinery - router, flat bed sewing machine, patcher, infra red heat lamps, pneumatic tools, vacuum pump, oven, lathe, drilling machine, milling machine, cut-off machines, grinders, etc
Vacuum formers
Pressure formers
Welding equipment
Soldering equipment
Marking out tools
Measuring tools and equipment


Techniques may include:
Incorporating sock adaptors
Different lay ups of fibreglass
Using correct resin
Manufacturing liners

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 workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Access to an appropriate workplace or simulated work environment where assessment can take place
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Materials and equipment normally found in the workplace to enable the design and fabrication of a prosthesis


Method of assessment may include:
Observation of work activities
Observation of simulation
Written tasks
Relevant formal and informal education/training courses
Case studies and scenarios
Interviews/questioning
Role plays


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 clients and communities


Related units:
This unit can be assessed independently
However holistic assessment practice with other health technician units of competency is encouraged