The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role.
There must be evidence that the candidate has:
assisted in the planning and implementation of basic health care for at least five Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients by:
- communicating in culturally safe and appropriate ways with each client and/or significant others to effectively:
o gather information to assess health status
o communicate care plan options
o check the client and/or significant other’s understanding of information provided
o supporting clients to implement self-management strategies
- documenting the health care plan according to organisation procedures and policies
- using relevant medical equipment safely and correctly to implement health care plan
- recognising situations requiring immediate or urgent action and acting appropriately
- making appropriate referrals, and providing accurate and relevant details to clients and referral agencies
- assisting clients to access relevant benefits associated with the health care system, including, Medicare, pharmaceutical and other related benefits
- recognising appropriate progress in relation to identified criteria for client care plan
- determining further actions in the context of monitoring and evaluating outcomes with colleagues
- maintaining client confidentiality according to organisational procedures and policies.
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:
- organisational policies and procedures and legislation or regulations relating to:
- client confidentiality
- referral, including various levels of urgency, and follow-up of client
- mandatory reporting
- notifiable communicable diseases
- limits of own ability and authority
- reporting procedures
- documentation
- infection control and workplace health and safety procedures
- knowledge of anatomy and physiology to identify major body systems, relevant organs and their functions, including:
o cardiovascular system (including heart, arteries and veins)
o respiratory system (including lungs, nose, mouth, throat)
o senses (including sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste and equilibrium)
o skin and integumentary system (including skin layers, hair and nails)
o digestive and gastrointestinal system (including stomach, intestines, bowel)
o nervous system (including brain and nerves)
o circulatory system (including arteries, veins)
o genitourinary system (including male and female genital and reproductive systems)
o endocrine system (including glands and hormones)
o musculoskeletal system (skull, skeleton, muscles, body tissue)
- common conditions and presenting problems associated with major body systems and relevant organs, including general impact of chronic conditions
- acute chronic conditions impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities, including:
o cardiovascular disease
o diabetes
o cancer
o chronic respiratory disease
o chronic kidney disease
o asthma
o arthritis
- features of chronic illness, including:
o complex causality
o multiple risk factors
o long latency periods
o a prolonged course of illness
o functional impairment or disability
o determinants of chronic conditions, including:
o smoking
o physical inactivity
o nutrition
o alcohol intake
o use of illicit drugs
o obesity
- purpose, procedures and equipment involved in the following examinations, including:
o temperature
o pulse and respiration
o blood pressure
o blood glucose level
o haemoglobin
o weight and height
o length
o head and waist circumference
o visual acuity and ear examination
o peak expiratory flow rate
- ‘normal’ range of outcomes of physical assessments
- non-clinical reasons for significant variation from ‘normal’ range of outcomes
- common over-the-counter and prescribed medicines used within the community and their general purposes
- basic knowledge relating to pregnancy and birthing, including:
o basic mechanics of pregnancy and birthing
o impact of smoking and alcohol in pregnancy
o impact of chronic conditions on pregnancy and birthing
o basic newborn and infant care, including:
o promotion of breast feeding
o growth assessment
o correct use of infant formula
- principles of:
o aseptic technique
o effective bandaging
o infection control and limiting cross infection
- basic pharmacological principles relevant to specific treatments to be initiated
- criteria and methods for evaluating effectiveness of care/treatments
- strategies, methods and tools available for self-management of chronic conditions and to address barriers to self-management
- environmental factors contributing to poor health which can impact on the effectiveness of health care plans such as:
o lack of access to clean water
o faulty housing equipment including toilets, taps, drainage, pipes, washing machines and hot water
o poor housing or building design contributing to health problems
o overcrowding
o littering and lack of facilities to dispose of rubbish
o personal hygiene and community interactions
o unsafe food handling, preparation, storage and disposal.
Skills must be demonstrated working:
in a health service or centre
as part of, and under the supervision of, a multidisciplinary primary health care team
with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.
In addition, simulations and scenarios must be used where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely. These are situations relating to emergency or unplanned procedures where assessment in these circumstances would be unsafe or is impractical.
Simulated assessment environments must simulate the real-life working environment where these skills and knowledge would be performed, with all the relevant equipment and resources of that working environment.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Assessment must be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in this unit of competency and who is:
an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker
or:
accompanied by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care.