Assessor Resource

HLTAH404B
Assist with basic foot hygiene

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


The application of knowledge and skills described in this competency unit may relate to functions such as providing basic foot hygiene, according to the directions of a podiatrist, including skin and nail care and applying dressings, padding and cushioning

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 an Allied Health Professional

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 assist with basic foot hygiene under the direction of a podiatrist

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

HLTCSD305C Assist with client movement

HLTAH301B Assist with an allied health program

HLTIN302B Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work

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 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

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 knowledge of:

Basic anatomy and physiology of the foot and basic understanding of foot pathology

Client care plans, goals and limitations of podiatry intervention

Conditions treated by a podiatrist

Disease processes relevant to the client group/s

Infection control protocols

Medical terminology

OHS policy and procedures

Pathology of nails

Principles of aseptic technique

Principles of foot hygiene

Privacy and confidentiality requirements

Record keeping requirements

Relevant organisation policies and procedures

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

Standard precautions

Structure and functioning of the skin and integuments

Supervisory and reporting protocols

The function of medicaments:

emollients

astringents

moisturisers

antiseptics

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Consistently apply infection control requirements

Consistently apply a simple wound dressing

Consistently apply padding and cushioning to a range of conditions

Consistently identify foot issues requiring additional podiatry support

Consistently adhere to supervisory requirements.

Communicate effectively with clients

Provide legible, logical and appropriate documentation

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:

Apply medicaments:

emollients

astringents

moisturisers

antiseptics

Apply time management, personal organisation skills and establishing priorities

Apply wound dressing for iatrogenic wound

Communicate effectively with supervisors and co-workers

Cut and file nails

Identify pathological nail and skin conditions

Identify situations and conditions requiring referral to podiatrist

Identify variations in podiatry conditions

Maintain accurate records

Operate within OH&S and infection control requirements

Safely and effectively use podiatry instruments

Safely use electrical equipment, including electric drill

Select and implement basic foot assessment skills

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Undertake activity analysis - breaking activities down into component parts

Undertake padding processes

Use effective observation skills

Work effectively with non-compliant clients

Work under direct and indirect supervision

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

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
Interpret and respond to client Foot Care Plan and occasion of care requirements as prescribed by supervising podiatrist 
Determine client availability according to organisation protocols 
Gather necessary equipment 
Undertake steps to meet infection control requirements 
Prepare for basic foot hygiene to comply with legislation, regulatory and organisation/practice requirements 
Explain to the client the purpose, rationale and requirements of the foot hygiene session 
Determine the client's understanding of the purpose, rationale and requirements of each part of the foot hygiene session 
Identify any condition indicating the client is at high risk that requires podiatrist attention 
Assist client in and out of shoes, socks and hosiery where necessary 
Correctly position the client prior to foot hygiene session 
Implement necessary infection control measures 
Perform basic foot hygiene according to the directions of the podiatrist and using appropriate infection control precautions, especially in relation to air borne particles 
Apply appropriate dressings to any skin breaks which might result from treatment 
Provide feedback that reinforces the podiatrist's advice 
Identify and manage client compliance issues. 
Work with client to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates 
Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority 
Report client difficulties to the supervising podiatrist 
Explain to the client the purpose, rationale of the dressing, padding or cushioning 
Determine the client's understanding of the purpose, rationale of the dressing, padding or cushioning 
Correctly position the client 
Implement necessary infection control measures, including disposal of used, padding and cushioning according to infection control protocols 
Apply, padding and cushioning according to directions of podiatrist 
Provide feedback that reinforces the podiatrist's advice 
Identify and manage client compliance issues. 
Work with client to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates 
Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority. 
Report client difficulties to the supervising podiatrist 
Collect, handle, manage and dispose of biological waste material according to organisation guidelines and infection control requirements 
Prepare equipment for sterilisation according to manufacturer and organisation requirements 
Store equipment according to manufacturers requirements and organisation protocols 
Report equipment faults to appropriate person 
Document occasion of basic foot hygiene according to organisation requirements 
Document referral to supervising podiatrist as required 
Use appropriate terminology to document symptomatic expression of identified problems 
Provide podiatry assistance according to the instruction of treating podiatrist 
Provide client progress feedback to the treating podiatrist 
Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating podiatrist 
Implement variations to the podiatry care according to the advice of the treating podiatrist 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTAH404B - Assist with basic foot hygiene
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

HLTAH404B - Assist with basic foot hygiene

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: