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.


Factors which interfere with the effectiveness of treatment may include:
Medical treatment being undertaken
Client's physical and psychological readiness and/or wellness
Cultural factors
Contraindications to treatment
Post reflexology activity


Mode of administration may include:
Use of oils, creams, lotion, talcum powder, corn starch
Requirement for feedback and interaction
Range of relaxation and reflexology techniques
Variations in hold, leverage and pressure intensity according to tissue condition, age, health and sensitivity of client
Requirements of specified positioning of client
Requirements of finishing techniques


Reaction and responses during a session may include:
Discomfort
Emotional reactions
feedback - verbal, tactile, visual
Muscular spasms
Body temperature discomfort
Deep relaxation
Alleviation of presenting symptoms


Reaction and response following a session may include:
Feeling of wellbeing
Relief of symptoms
Increased urination
Slight headache, nausea, malaise
Increased bowel symptoms
Temporary exacerbation of symptoms
Increased energy
Improved sleep


Practitioner responses to reactions may include:
Adjusting treatment accordingly
Seeking appropriate expertise
Discussing reactions with the client
Adherence to clinic guidelines for response to accidents and emergencies
Use of first aid procedures according to a St Johns, Australian Red Cross or other appropriate first aid training
Maintaining a senior First Aid Certificate which is renewed every three years
Accessing local emergency services


Consent to treatment refers to:
Understanding of what is involved in reflexology treatment according to the principles of a reflexology framework
informed consent according to local and national regulations and legal guidelines


Relaxation techniques:
Must include:
Stroking and effleurage techniques
Friction light and deep
Holding
Breathing
Knuckling
Rotation and loosening
Stretching
Kneading
Twisting and wringing
Diaphragm relaxer
Spinal twist
Toe rotation

And may include:
Breathing
Percussion
Knuckling


Reflexology techniques:
Must include:
Thumb and finger walking
Microrotation with thumbs and fingers
Sedating light or deep
Hook in and back up
Palpating

And may include:
Knuckling
Sweeping
Rocking
Holding/balancing
Sliding


Holding and supporting the foot may mean:
Holding hand may act as an adjunctive to working hand for support
Holding hand to create taut or soft surface over which techniques are applied
Holding hand to adjust angle of foot for support
Holding hand to provide maximum client comfort and security


Leverage may mean:
Thumbs and fingers of working hand provide pressure in opposition to each other
Heels of hands may provide leverage for working fingers


Pressure may mean:
Light pressure is utilised for the elderly, infants or debilitated
Light pressure is utilised for poor tissue condition
Light pressure is utilised over surface vein areas
Light pressure is utilised over acutely sensitive areas
Average to heavy pressure may be utilised according to client health and comfort
Client comfort to be given highest priority when applying pressure


Specific techniques may mean
Techniques as appropriate to specific reflexology


Reflexology worked on both feet according to body systems or sequence may mean:
Both feet are completely worked for maximum effect
Specific attention is given to particular reflexology areas in relation to client's state of well being
Feet may be worked in relation to body systems
Feet may be worked one at a time


Length of session time as appropriate to client may mean:
A general session of reflexology may be of one hour's duration or more
Shorter sessions are appropriate for the elderly, infants and the very debilitated
Shorter sessions may also be appropriate for acute situations, daily maintenance and for sessions delivered at the workplace
Sessions longer than one hour may be appropriate according to the client's health and needs and/or the combination of techniques applied


Advise and resource the client refers to::
Providing relevant literature or information materials
Referring client to other information sources
Providing and demonstrating plan of self reflexology treatment for client
Suggestion of referrals to other health professions

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 the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) 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
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Relevant texts or medical manuals
Relevant paper based/video assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Qualified assessor who is recognised by an Australian Reflexology peak association


Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Short tests and essays
Oral questioning and discussions
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision


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 should be assessed after or in conjunction with the following related competency units:
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
HLTFA311A Apply first aid
HLTHIR301C Communicate and work effectively in health
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
HLTWHS300B Contribute to WHS processes