Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:28 AM AWST
22/07/2026 11:28 AM 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.
Assist with basic foot hygiene
Assist with basic foot hygiene
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTAH404B
HLTAH404B
State Code
D5636
D5636
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/07/2011
Field of Education
061713 - Podiatry
Original Release Date
21/07/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with basic foot hygiene under the direction of a podiatrist
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for basic foot hygiene
- 1.1 Interpret and respond to client Foot Care Plan and occasion of care requirements as prescribed by supervising podiatrist
- 1.2 Determine client availability according to organisation protocols
- 1.3 Gather necessary equipment
- 1.4 Undertake steps to meet infection control requirements
- 1.5 Prepare for basic foot hygiene to comply with legislation, regulatory and organisation/practice requirements
2. Perform basic foot hygiene
- 2.1 Explain to the client the purpose, rationale and requirements of the foot hygiene session
- 2.2 Determine the client's understanding of the purpose, rationale and requirements of each part of the foot hygiene session
- 2.3 Identify any condition indicating the client is at high risk that requires podiatrist attention
- 2.4 Assist client in and out of shoes, socks and hosiery where necessary
- 2.5 Correctly position the client prior to foot hygiene session
- 2.6 Implement necessary infection control measures
- 2.7 Perform basic foot hygiene according to the directions of the podiatrist and using appropriate infection control precautions, especially in relation to air borne particles
- 2.8 Apply appropriate dressings to any skin breaks which might result from treatment
- 2.9 Provide feedback that reinforces the podiatrist's advice
- 2.10 Identify and manage client compliance issues.
- 2.11 Work with client to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates
- 2.12 Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority
- 2.13 Report client difficulties to the supervising podiatrist
3. Apply padding and cushioning as prescribed by the supervising podiatrist
- 3.1 Explain to the client the purpose, rationale of the dressing, padding or cushioning
- 3.2 Determine the client's understanding of the purpose, rationale of the dressing, padding or cushioning
- 3.3 Correctly position the client
- 3.4 Implement necessary infection control measures, including disposal of used, padding and cushioning according to infection control protocols
- 3.5 Apply, padding and cushioning according to directions of podiatrist
- 3.6 Provide feedback that reinforces the podiatrist's advice
- 3.7 Identify and manage client compliance issues.
- 3.8 Work with client to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates
- 3.9 Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority.
- 3.10 Report client difficulties to the supervising podiatrist
4. Clean and store equipment
- 4.1 Collect, handle, manage and dispose of biological waste material according to organisation guidelines and infection control requirements
- 4.2 Prepare equipment for sterilisation according to manufacturer and organisation requirements
- 4.3 Store equipment according to manufacturers requirements and organisation protocols
- 4.4 Report equipment faults to appropriate person
5. Document client information
- 5.1 Document occasion of basic foot hygiene according to organisation requirements
- 5.2 Document referral to supervising podiatrist as required
- 5.3 Use appropriate terminology to document symptomatic expression of identified problems
6. Comply with supervisory requirements
- 6.1 Provide podiatry assistance according to the instruction of treating podiatrist
- 6.2 Provide client progress feedback to the treating podiatrist
- 6.3 Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating podiatrist
- 6.4 Implement variations to the podiatry care according to the advice of the treating podiatrist
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.
Supervision refers to:
Instructing, advising, and monitoring another person in order to ensure safe and effective performance in carrying out the duties of their position
The nature of supervision is flexible and may be conducted by various means including:
in person
through use of electronic communications media such as telephone or video conferencing, where necessary
Frequency of supervision will be determined by factors such as:
the task maturity of the person in that position or clinical placement
the need to review and assess client conditions and progress in order to establish or alter treatment plans in case of students and assistants
the need to correct and develop non clinical aspects such as time management, organisation requirements, communication skills, and other factors supporting the provision of clinical care and working within a team
A person under supervision does not require direct (immediate) and continuous personal interaction, but the method and frequency will be determined by factors outlined above
Clients include:
Clients assessed as low risk by the podiatrist (and may include elderly people)
Settings may include
Hospitals
Community health services
Private practice
Client homes
Aged care residential care settings
Basic foot hygiene may include but is not limited to:
Washing
Drying
Applying medicaments
emollients
astringents
moisturisers
antiseptics
Cutting and filing of non pathological nails
Removal of superficial dead skin material (maceration) interdigitally
Conditions indicating client at high risk include:
Diabetes
Peripheral vascular disease
Peripheral neuropathy
Immunologically compromised
Nail pathology and disease
Dermatological disease
Equipment may include:
Files
Clippers
Scissors
Forceps
Gauze applicators
Personal protective equipment such as eyewear, gloves, masks
Drill and burr/mandrel/Moore's disc
Black's file
Tissue nippers
Dressings may include:
Simple wound dressings used for skin breaks, cuts and abrasions incurred during performance of foot hygiene such as :
Sterile gauze
Tube gauze
Adhesive tape
Padding and cushioning may include:
Tube foam
Fleecy web
Adhesive felts and foams
Hypoallergenic tape
Clinical standards, guidelines, policies and procedures may include:
Clinical standards (state and national)
Industry professional bodies
Industry standards (state and national)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Relevant Australian standards:
Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4815
Australian Standard AS 4187 - 1998
Australian Standard AS 2182 - 1998
Infection Control Guidelines for Podiatrists, Australasian Podiatry Council, September 2005
Australasian Podiatry Council
Australian Podiatry Association (state)
Podiatrist Registration Board (state)
Medical Records Act
Client compliance refers to:
Ability to follow instructions or suggestions
Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions
Information may include:
Podiatry care plan
Supervising podiatrist's instructions
Client record
Checklists
Case notes
Other forms according to procedures of the organisation
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.
Supervision refers to:
Instructing, advising, and monitoring another person in order to ensure safe and effective performance in carrying out the duties of their position
The nature of supervision is flexible and may be conducted by various means including:
in person
through use of electronic communications media such as telephone or video conferencing, where necessary
Frequency of supervision will be determined by factors such as:
the task maturity of the person in that position or clinical placement
the need to review and assess client conditions and progress in order to establish or alter treatment plans in case of students and assistants
the need to correct and develop non clinical aspects such as time management, organisation requirements, communication skills, and other factors supporting the provision of clinical care and working within a team
A person under supervision does not require direct (immediate) and continuous personal interaction, but the method and frequency will be determined by factors outlined above
Clients include:
Clients assessed as low risk by the podiatrist (and may include elderly people)
Settings may include
Hospitals
Community health services
Private practice
Client homes
Aged care residential care settings
Basic foot hygiene may include but is not limited to:
Washing
Drying
Applying medicaments
emollients
astringents
moisturisers
antiseptics
Cutting and filing of non pathological nails
Removal of superficial dead skin material (maceration) interdigitally
Conditions indicating client at high risk include:
Diabetes
Peripheral vascular disease
Peripheral neuropathy
Immunologically compromised
Nail pathology and disease
Dermatological disease
Equipment may include:
Files
Clippers
Scissors
Forceps
Gauze applicators
Personal protective equipment such as eyewear, gloves, masks
Drill and burr/mandrel/Moore's disc
Black's file
Tissue nippers
Dressings may include:
Simple wound dressings used for skin breaks, cuts and abrasions incurred during performance of foot hygiene such as :
Sterile gauze
Tube gauze
Adhesive tape
Padding and cushioning may include:
Tube foam
Fleecy web
Adhesive felts and foams
Hypoallergenic tape
Clinical standards, guidelines, policies and procedures may include:
Clinical standards (state and national)
Industry professional bodies
Industry standards (state and national)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Relevant Australian standards:
Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4815
Australian Standard AS 4187 - 1998
Australian Standard AS 2182 - 1998
Infection Control Guidelines for Podiatrists, Australasian Podiatry Council, September 2005
Australasian Podiatry Council
Australian Podiatry Association (state)
Podiatrist Registration Board (state)
Medical Records Act
Client compliance refers to:
Ability to follow instructions or suggestions
Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions
Information may include:
Podiatry care plan
Supervising podiatrist's instructions
Client record
Checklists
Case notes
Other forms according to procedures of the organisation
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 for a minimum of seven different foot hygiene sessions
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
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment must be completed in the workplace.
Relevant guidelines, standards and procedures
Supervision from a podiatrist
Resources essential for assessment include:
Clients
Equipment
Documentation
Methods of assessment:
Observation in the work place
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
Clinical journals, observation and structured clinical examinations
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a supervised and controlled clinical setting If successful, subsequent assessments are to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
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 for a minimum of seven different foot hygiene sessions
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
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment must be completed in the workplace.
Relevant guidelines, standards and procedures
Supervision from a podiatrist
Resources essential for assessment include:
Clients
Equipment
Documentation
Methods of assessment:
Observation in the work place
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
Clinical journals, observation and structured clinical examinations
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a supervised and controlled clinical setting If successful, subsequent assessments are to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C8944 | HLTAH404A | Assist with basic foot hygiene | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD025 | HLTAH404C | Assist with basic foot hygiene | Unit of competency |
| WD021 | HLTAH302D | Assist with the application and removal of a plaster cast | Unit of competency |
