Assessor Resource

HLTAH402C
Assist with physiotherapy treatments and interventions

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


The application of knowledge and skills described in this competency unit may relate to functions that assist with treatment and interventions developed by a physiotherapist. This could take place in a range of health settings

Work performed requires a range of well developed skills where some discretion and judgment is required and individuals will take responsibility for their own outputs

Allied Health Assistants operate within the scope of their defined roles and responsibilities and under supervision of a physiotherapist

Application of electrotherapeutic treatment with electrotherapy appliances is restricted to physiotherapists

For training and assessment pathways, experience in workplace application of the skills and knowledge identified in this competency unit should be provided as required to support allied health professions

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to support a range of physiotherapy treatments, including respiratory support

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Pre-requisite units

This unit must be assessed after successful achievement of pre-requisite units:

HLTAP301B Recognise healthy body systems in a health care context

HLTCSD305D Assist with client movement

HLTAH301C Assist with an allied health program


Employability Skills

This unit contains Employability Skills




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

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 include demonstrated workplace application

Relevant guidelines, standards and procedures

Resources essential for assessment include:

Clients with therapeutic needs

Equipment

Documentation

Supervisory physiotherapist

Method of assessment:

Observation of some applications in the work place (as is appropriate/possible)

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

Skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated setting (eg. laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes:

A working knowledge of the rationale and processes for different programs and treatments

A working understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology of the lungs

A working knowledge of the basic reaction to pain within the body

A working knowledge of the signs of adverse reactions to different programs and treatments

A working understanding of the psychological effects of disability due to injury or disease and strategies used to cope with this

A working understanding of the dangers of electrotherapeutical modalities and the risks involved to client and staff in the vicinity of such apparatus

Relevant National and State/Territory legislation and guidelines, including Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Guidelines

Roles, responsibilities and limitations of own role and other allied health team members and nursing, medical and other personnel

A working knowledge of factors that facilitate an effective and collaborative working relationship

A working knowledge of the equipment and materials used in different programs and treatments

A working knowledge of the monitoring requirements for different programs and treatments

A working knowledge of record keeping practices and procedures in relation to diagnostic and therapeutic programs/treatments

Work health and safety (WHS) policies and procedures that relate to the allied health assistant's role in implementing physiotherapy mobility and movement programs

Infection control policies and procedures that relate to the allied health assistant's role in implementing physiotherapy mobility and movement programs

Supervisory and reporting protocols of the organisation

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Complete electrotherapy support and respiratory support

Apply understanding of the danger of adverse events occurring with electrotherapy treatments

Use procedures to move and position clients in a safe manner

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

Work under direct and indirect supervision

Work independently and as part of a (multidisciplinary) team

Report back changes in client performance

Communicate effectively with clients in a therapeutic/treatment relationship

Communicate effectively with supervisors and co-workers

Work effectively with non-compliant clients

Use skills in time management, personal organisation and establishing priorities

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 and

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 may include:

Adults

Children and young people

Older people

People with communication difficulties

Settings may include:

Hospitals

Community health services

Private practice

Client homes

Aged care residential settings

Information may include:

Client care plan

Exercise plan

Client treatment plan

Physiotherapist instructions

Client record

Checklists

Case notes

Other forms according to procedures of the organisation

Treatments may include:

Pain and comfort management

Respiratory care

Control of oedema

Clinical standards, guidelines, policies and procedures may include:

Clinical standards (state and national)

Industry professional bodies

Industry standards (state and national) and associated legislative requirements

Organisation policy directives

Privacy Act

Relevant Australian Standards

Physiotherapy Registration Acts (State based)

Client compliance refers to:

Ability to follow instructions or suggestions

Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions

Cognitive decline

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Obtain information about the treatment or intervention from the physiotherapist 
Determine client availability according to organisation protocols 
Determine availability of treatment space, if required 
Gather the equipment to deliver the treatment program, in line with client needs and specifications of the physiotherapist, ensuring safe handling of electrical modalities 
Confirm client's understanding of the program based on treatment plan prepared by the physiotherapist 
Obtain informed consent from the client before commencing the exercise program 
Where electrotherapeutic appliances are used, assist in positioning of client and equipment for physiotherapist to verify 
Report any client misunderstanding or confusion to the physiotherapist in a timely manner 
Guide the client to complete the participate in the treatment program as determined by physiotherapist 
Identify and note any difficulties the client experiences completing the physiotherapy treatment and interventions and report to physiotherapist in a timely manner 
Identify and manage client compliance issues, including subjective and objective reporting of client response to the program, and report to the physiotherapist in a timely manner 
Provide feedback to the client to reinforce client understanding of treatment program and progress 
Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority, skills and/or knowledge 
Report client difficulties to the supervising physiotherapist for advice before continuing the prescribed exercise program 
Clean equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations, infection control requirements and organisation protocols under direct supervision of physiotherapist 
Store equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations and the organisation's protocols 
Check and maintain equipment according to organisation protocols and physiotherapist's guidelines 
Report equipment faults to the appropriate person(s) 
Label or tag equipment faults, where possible remove from use if unsafe or not working and inform staff in line with organisation procedures 
Ensure physiotherapist is present when cleaning or testing electrotherapy equipment 
Provide client progress feedback to the treating physiotherapist 
Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating physiotherapist in a timely manner 
Implement variations to the treatment program according to the instructions of the physiotherapist 
Document information about the treatment program according to the organisation's protocols 
Use appropriate terminology to document client response, outcomes and identified problems related to the treatment program 
Assist with exercise program according to the instruction of treating physiotherapist 
Provide client progress feedback to the treating physiotherapist 
Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating physiotherapist in a timely manner 
Implement variations to the exercise program according to the advice of the treating physiotherapist 
Assist with client and machine positioning and treatment under direct supervision of the treating physiotherapist 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTAH402C - Assist with physiotherapy treatments and interventions
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

HLTAH402C - Assist with physiotherapy treatments and interventions

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: