Assessor Resource

HLTAH413C
Deliver and monitor a hydrotherapy program

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency requires work under the supervision of an allied health professional and in accordance with a prescribed treatment plan

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 support individuals and groups participating in hydrotherapy programs designed to restore optimum movement and functional independence

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 unit

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

HLTFA311A Apply first aid


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 be completed in the workplace.

Relevant guidelines, standards and procedures

Resources essential for assessment include:

Clients with hydrotherapy requirements

Equipment

Documentation

Supervisory allied health professional

Aquatic emergency protocols, procedures and equipment

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.


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:

A working understanding of the benefits of physiological effects and benefits of active functional exercise

Principles of biomechanics, including

mass

force

speed

acceleration

work

energy

power

strength

momentum

force arm

resistance arm

axis of rotation

cam

pulley

Basic musculo-skeletal anatomy, including

joint types and function

major bones

major muscles

major joints

Basic anatomy and physiology

Anatomical terminology, including

flexion

extension

rotation

abduction

adduction

circumduction

inversion

eversion

pronation

supination

horizontal flexion

horizontal extension

Therapeutic exercise principles

Principles of exercise program design, including:

FITT formula - frequency, intensity, time, type

Program phases - preparation, conditioning, recovery, adaptation

Program types - sets and reps, circuit, single set to failure, matrix

Principles and effects of movement in water as related to hydrotherapy

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 signs of adverse reaction to different programs and treatment

Relevant National and State/Territory legislation, guidelines and reporting requirements, 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 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:

Undertake activity analysis - breaking activities down into component parts

Conduct a hydrotherapy program

Respond to aquatic emergencies

Assist clients with personal care needs

Apply appropriate 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

Communicate effectively with clients in a therapeutic/treatment relationship

Communicate effectively with supervisors and co-workers

Work effectively with non-compliant clients

Time management, personal organisation skills 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

Information may include::

Client care plan

Hydrotherapy session plan

Client treatment plan

Allied health professional instructions

Client record

Checklists

Case notes

Other forms according to procedures of the organisation

Principles of movement in water must include:

Buoyancy

Flotation

Hydrostatic pressure

Propulsion

Lift

Drag

Turbulence

Acceleration

Resistance

Balance and stability

Factors effecting the movement of the body in water may include:

Alignment

Long and short axis

Smooth tapered shapes

Balance

Head alignment and movement

Balance of limbs in movement

Effects of rotation

Core power

Hip rotation to create torque/twisting forces

Client needs and abilities may include:

Co-morbidity

Cultural needs

Cardiac risk stratification

Joint or muscle weakness

Orthopaedic conditions

Client compliance refers to:

Ability to follow instructions or suggestions

Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions

Adverse reaction to exercise may include:

Severe shortness of breath

Dizziness

Pain

Muscle cramp

Indicators of a person in difficulty may include but is not limited to:

Calling for help

Vertical body position

Diagonal body position

Minimal or non-supportive leg action

Vigorous arm action

Head tilted up and back, face turned to safety or help

submerged

Rescue equipment may include:

reaching aids

ropes

flotation aids

rescue tube

oxygen resuscitation equipment

Water rescue may include but is not limited to:

non-contact tow

contact tow

vice grip

extended arm rollover

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
Confirm program requirements against the prescribed information provided by the health professional 
Confer with allied health professional if requirements outlined in the exercise program are not clear, do not take into account client needs and abilities or are beyond scope of role and responsibilities as defined by the organisation 
Determine the clients' availability, according to the organisation's protocols 
Gather necessary equipment for the hydrotherapy program 
Prepare the setting for the hydrotherapy program 
Ensure adequate staff are present to meet organisation's staff : client ratio requirements 
Obtain informed consent from the clients before commencing the hydrotherapy program 
Explain the purpose, rationale and requirements of each part of the hydrotherapy program to the clients 
Assist client(s) in and out of the pool safely and efficiently according to organisation manual handling policy and treatment goals 
Guide the clients to complete the program according to prescribed treatment plan 
Demonstrate components of hydrotherapy to client where necessary 
Provide the clients with sufficient time, opportunity and encouragement to practice existing and newly developed skills 
Observe client movement through water and provide feedback to reinforce understanding and the correct application of the exercise program 
Monitor the clients during and after the program according to the prescribed treatment plan 
Identify and manage client compliance issues. 
Identify the need for adjustment to the hydrotherapy program and report to the treating physiotherapist in a timely manner 
Take appropriate and prompt action in response to any indicators of adverse reaction to the hydrotherapy according to relevant protocols and guidelines 
Support the person(s) in difficulty as quickly as possible 
Remove other clients, staff and other individuals from danger 
Assess the factors involving a water rescue and the type of rescue required and equipment needs determined 
Identify hazards and take appropriate action to prevent further injury/harm to the casualty 
Perform water rescue 
Observe and describe the condition of the casualty 
Assess vital signs and symptoms of shock according to accepted first aid procedures 
Identify and explain ant first aid or treatment appropriate to the casualty's condition and provide in line with approved first aid techniques and standards 
Where necessary contact emergency services as soon as possible 
Record and report the incident according to, legislative, regulatory and organisation requirements 
Notify appropriate personnel and statutory authorities of the incident 
Identify support needs of client following a hydrotherapy session 
Provide any required support with mobility, showering and dressing 
Clean equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations 
Store equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations and the organisation's protocols 
Check and maintain equipment according to organisation protocols 
Report equipment faults to the appropriate person(s) 
Report suggested adjustments to hydrotherapy program, together with rationale, to the responsible allied health professional 
Provide client progress feedback to the treating allied health professional 
Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating allied health professional 
Implement variations to the hydrotherapy program according to the advice of the treating allied health professional 
Document information about the hydrotherapy program according to the organisation's protocols 
Use appropriate terminology to document symptomatic expression of identified problems related to the therapeutic program 
Assist with exercise program according to the instruction of treating allied health professional 
Provide client progress feedback to the treating allied health professional 
Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating allied health professional 
Implement variations to the exercise program according to the advice of the treating allied health professional 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTAH413C - Deliver and monitor a hydrotherapy program
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

HLTAH413C - Deliver and monitor a hydrotherapy program

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: