Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 2:17 AM AWST

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Assist with basic foot care

Assist with basic foot care

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTAHA030
State Code
OEI60
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
25/11/2022
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/06/2023
Field of Education
061713 - Podiatry
Original Release Date
15/06/2023
Nominal Hours
55
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide assistance to a registered Podiatrist. Work includes foot care, including skin and nail care and applying dressings, padding and cushioning.This unit applies to Allied Health Assistants and should be performed under the direct, indirect or remote supervision and delegation of a registered Podiatrist.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Allied Health Assistant Framework, Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Receive delegation and gather information.
  • 1.1. Obtain written or verbal delegation for an allied health activity from the registered Podiatrist.
  • 1.2. Obtain information from relevant sources and delegating registered Podiatrist, according to organisational policy and procedures.
  • 1.3. Discuss and confirm with delegating registered Podiatrist treatment plans and programs.
2. Prepare for basic foot care.
  • 2.1. Obtain information according to organisational procedures and delegating registered Podiatrist.
  • 2.2. Determine the person's availability according to organisational protocols.
  • 2.3. Check resources and equipment required for therapy program to ensure suitability, cleanliness and working order.
  • 2.4. Undertake steps to meet organisational infection control requirements.
  • 2.5. Prepare for basic foot care as delegated by the supervising registered Podiatrist to comply with legislation, regulatory and organisational practice requirements.
3. Perform basic foot care.
  • 3.1. Provide information to the person regarding foot care treatment.
  • 3.2. Confirm the person’s understanding of the purpose, rationale and requirements of each part of the foot care treatment.
  • 3.3. Identify and report to registered Podiatrist any changes that effect the person's health status.
  • 3.4. Assist the person in and out of any shoes, socks or hosiery complying with organisational and work health and safety (WHS) protocols.
  • 3.5. Position the person in preparation for foot care treatment.
  • 3.6. Perform basic foot care according to the delegation of the Podiatrist and apply infection control precautions, especially in relation to air borne particles.
4. Apply padding and cushioning as delegated by the supervising registered Podiatrist.
  • 4.1. Explain the purpose and rationale of the dressing, padding or cushioning and confirm the person’s understanding.
  • 4.2. Correctly position the person, complying with work health and safety (WHS) protocols.
  • 4.3. Apply padding and cushioning according to delegation of registered Podiatrist.
  • 4.4. Apply delegated dressings to any skin breaks which might result from treatment.
  • 4.5. Dispose of used padding and cushioning according to infection control protocols.
  • 4.6. Provide feedback that reinforces the registered Podiatrist’s advice.
  • 4.7. Identify the person's compliance issues and seek assistance when presented with issues outside limits of scope of practice or report to delegating registered Podiatrist.
  • 4.8. Work with the person to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates.
5. Comply with supervisory requirements.
  • 5.1. Provide podiatry assistance according to the delegation of treating registered Podiatrist.
  • 5.2. Provide feedback regarding the person's progress to the treating registered Podiatrist.
  • 5.3. Report the person's difficulties and concerns to the treating registered Podiatrist.
  • 5.4. Implement variations to the podiatry care according to the delegation of the treating registered Podiatrist.
6. Clean and store equipment.
  • 6.1. Dispose of biological waste material according to organisational guidelines and infection control requirements.
  • 6.2. Prepare reusable equipment for sterilisation according to Australian Standards, manufacturer and organisational requirements.
  • 6.3. Store equipment according to manufacturer instructions and organisational protocols.
  • 6.4. Report equipment faults according to organisational procedures.
7. Document information.
  • 7.1. Document occasion of basic foot care according to organisational requirements.
  • 7.2. Use medical terminology and abbreviations to document symptomatic expression of the person's identified foot care problems.
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
AVB06 HLTAHA006 Assist with basic foot hygiene Unit of competency