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:
assessed and monitored the physical wellbeing of at least five Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults and children by:
- establishing a relationship of trust with clients and significant others
- taking a detailed history of the client
- explaining assessment methods and procedures to client and/or significant others
- observing and assessing client’s health, using appropriate tests and medical instrumentation
- recording observations
- questioning, assessing and monitoring client’s health status, issues and needs
- reviewing effectiveness of health care strategies and making appropriate revisions, taking prior history into consideration
- summarising and presenting findings in line with client needs and workplace requirements
- maintaining client records and upholding client confidentiality
- communicating with client’s family and/or significant others as required
- gaining informed consent to conduct assessment
- taking, considering and recording relevant details of client’s history (including body language)
- complying with and enforcing infection control guidelines
- using a structured approach to assessment
- interpreting common pathology tests
- taking full responsibility for assessment findings.
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
key elements of comprehensive and accurate physical, social/emotional and mental health assessment
anatomy/physiology and associated microbiology, pathophysiology (disease processes) and pharmacology including:
- respiratory system
- circulatory system
- integumentary system
- digestive system
- genitourinary system
- endocrine system
- musculoskeletal system
- nervous system
- reproductive systems
pathophysiology associated with these systems, including:
- acute chronic condition and conditions associated with a specific body system
- injuries
- wounds
- arthritis
- inflammation
- impact of alcohol and drugs
pharmacology to address pathophysiology, including:
- medications and forms of administration
- antibiotics
- analgesics
- contraindications
- complications
- psychiatric medications
- oral hypoglycaemics
- insulin
procedures for health tests and ‘normal’ range of test outcomes, including:
- blood pressure (for adults and children)
- temperature
- pulse rate
- respiratory and peak flow rates
- height and weight
- components of urine
- near vision and pinhole visual acuity testing
visual examination of eye and ear
blood glucose (sugar) and haemoglobin levels
in relation to cardiovascular diseases:
- the concept of ‘cardiovascular risk factors’, the significance of an individual having multiple risk factors and the concept of ‘high absolute risk’
- the importance of reduction of saturated fats and sugar-sweetened soft drinks, increased physical activity and smoking cessation in reducing the risk of heart and kidney disease in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations
in relation to diabetes mellitus:
- basic pathophysiology of type II contrasted with type I diabetes mellitus
- complications of diabetes (including heart disease and stroke; renal failure; retinal damage and blindness; nerve damage and infection resulting in amputation; impotence)
- the main elements of the ‘diabetes check up’
- the procedure for taking retinal photographs
- basic anatomical features and abnormalities on a retinal photograph
- the content of client education for diabetes covering diet, physical activity, foot-care, and use of diabetes medicines
in relation to chronic renal disease:
- basic pathophysiology of chronic renal failure (causes, body systems affected, natural history)
- factors which may worsen or accelerate renal failure (including: high blood pressure, anti-inflammatory drugs, poor diabetes control, dehydration, high protein diet)
- clinical features of advanced renal failure
- the importance of early detection of renal disease in efforts to defer or prevent end-stage renal failure
- options for treatment of end-stage renal failure (haemodialysis, chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, transplant).
familiarity with a range of other common chronic conditions in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations:
- chronic liver disease – causes, clinical features and principles of management (including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis)
- chronic obstructive lung disease, relationship to smoking and principles of management
basic nature, management and associated risk factors for common diseases
commonly (including complete blood tests and urine analysis) and specifically requested pathology tests and the correct methods of collection, storage and transport of specimens
the clinical significance of abnormal findings on pathology tests with particular reference to use of medicines
knowledge of care planning and self-management support tools
relevant criteria for evaluation of effectiveness of care plan
features of chronic illness, including:
- complex causality
- multiple risk factors
- long latency periods
- a prolonged course of illness
- functional impairment or disability
specific chronic conditions affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities, including:
- cardiovascular disease
- diabetes
- cancer
- chronic respiratory disease
- chronic kidney disease
- asthma
- arthritis
- oral disease
determinants of chronic conditions, including:
- smoking
- physical activity
- nutrition
- alcohol intake
- use of illicit drugs
- obesity, weight and waist circumference
- unsafe sexual practices
- genetic factors
linkages between conditions such as diabetes and eye health, nutrition and hearing, etc.
Skills must be demonstrated working:
in a health service or centre
as part 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.
This may include medical equipment including but not limited to haemoglobin meter, tape measure, sphygmomanometer, scales, thermometers, glucometer, peak expiratory flow rate meters.
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.