Assessor Resource

HLTAHW054
Support renal dialysis clients in the community setting

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to help support clients considering renal replacement therapy and to provide routine care for clients undertaking dialysis in the community setting.

This unit applies to those Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

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



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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Assist clients to make informed choices on renal replacement therapy

1.1 Provide information on renal failure and renal replacement therapy options to clients with chronic renal failure and their families, in consultation with the health care team

1.2 Identify and provide to clients appropriate health education resources on renal disease dialysis and transplantation

1.3 Provide information and practical assistance to renal clients who need to travel to distant referral centres for assessment, treatment or training

1.4 Support current and potential future dialysis ‘helpers’ with information and practical assistance in their role

1.5 Ensure client access to specialist nephrology care

2. Measure hydration status of renal dialysis clients

2.1 Obtain history of shortness of breath or postural dizziness

2.2 Measure ‘wet’ or ‘dry’ weight and compare with ideal body weight

2.3 Elicit physical signs of fluid overload

2.4 Interpret client weight, blood pressure and other clinical signs to determine hydration status

2.5 Revise ideal body weight estimates in consultation with senior staff

2.6 Document assessments in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3. Undertake routine pathology testing for dialysis clients

3.1 Provide information on routine dialysis tests to clients in plain language

3.2 Collect blood specimens and complete pathology request forms according to standard protocols

3.3 Interpret routine test results and give basic client feedback

3.4 Refer abnormal test results to medical staff for action

4. Support renal clients to access and use medicines wisely

4.1 Provide clients with plain language information on mechanisms of action, dosing and common side-effects of medicines commonly used in dialysis care

4.2 Identify potential drug interactions, special precautions, contraindications and side-effects and refer to a medical practitioner

4.3 Administer medicine by oral and intramuscular routes in accordance with medicine orders, organisation policies and procedures and legal frameworks

4.4 Support and monitor client adherence to medicines regimen

4.5 Provide assistance with supply of medicines and use of dose administration aids according to client needs

4.6 Keep records of chronic medicines supply and administration in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

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:

provided information, guidance and support to at least three clients and their families in relation to health management options and issues for clients with chronic renal failure by:

recognising situations requiring immediate or urgent action

working with other members of multidisciplinary team to ensure actions determined in the client’s care plan are carried out and documented

carrying out mathematical calculations for renal dialysis clients. This includes:

identifying differences between weight measures

calculating doses

measuring medication

communicating effectively with clients, care team and referral agencies. This includes:

interpreting test results

explaining test results to clients

documenting information on client care plans

making timely and appropriate referrals, and providing accurate and relevant details to clients and referral agencies

holistically evaluating impact of renal dialysis treatment on client’s physical, mental and emotional condition and behaviour

monitoring outcomes of renal dialysis treatment and medication regimes

administering medicines by oral and intramuscular routes

contributing to evaluation of client’s prescribed treatment/care plan.

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 renal system

common causes of chronic renal failure

underlying environmental and social factors contributing to high rates of renal disease in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities

management principles for common co-morbidities (including diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia)

factors that can slow decline of renal function

key aspects of microbiology relevant to peritoneal, blood and skin infection in renal disease

pathophysiology of chronic renal failure, including:

fluid retention and pulmonary oedema

electrolyte balance and hazards of high potassium

calcium metabolism and renal bone disease

anaemia

signs and symptoms of uraemia and fluid retention

meaning and interpretation of common pathology tests for chronic renal failure and dialysis

haemodialysis technology – theory, machine components, terminology, infrastructure requirements, risks and benefits

peritoneal dialysis – theory, terminology, procedures, risks and benefits

different types of renal dialysis units and their function

nutritional considerations for renal dialysis clients

medicines in common use in management of chronic renal failure including basic mechanisms of action, precautions and side-effects

organisation policies and procedures.

Skills must be demonstrated working:

in a health service or centre

individually or as a member 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.


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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Assist clients to make informed choices on renal replacement therapy

1.1 Provide information on renal failure and renal replacement therapy options to clients with chronic renal failure and their families, in consultation with the health care team

1.2 Identify and provide to clients appropriate health education resources on renal disease dialysis and transplantation

1.3 Provide information and practical assistance to renal clients who need to travel to distant referral centres for assessment, treatment or training

1.4 Support current and potential future dialysis ‘helpers’ with information and practical assistance in their role

1.5 Ensure client access to specialist nephrology care

2. Measure hydration status of renal dialysis clients

2.1 Obtain history of shortness of breath or postural dizziness

2.2 Measure ‘wet’ or ‘dry’ weight and compare with ideal body weight

2.3 Elicit physical signs of fluid overload

2.4 Interpret client weight, blood pressure and other clinical signs to determine hydration status

2.5 Revise ideal body weight estimates in consultation with senior staff

2.6 Document assessments in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3. Undertake routine pathology testing for dialysis clients

3.1 Provide information on routine dialysis tests to clients in plain language

3.2 Collect blood specimens and complete pathology request forms according to standard protocols

3.3 Interpret routine test results and give basic client feedback

3.4 Refer abnormal test results to medical staff for action

4. Support renal clients to access and use medicines wisely

4.1 Provide clients with plain language information on mechanisms of action, dosing and common side-effects of medicines commonly used in dialysis care

4.2 Identify potential drug interactions, special precautions, contraindications and side-effects and refer to a medical practitioner

4.3 Administer medicine by oral and intramuscular routes in accordance with medicine orders, organisation policies and procedures and legal frameworks

4.4 Support and monitor client adherence to medicines regimen

4.5 Provide assistance with supply of medicines and use of dose administration aids according to client needs

4.6 Keep records of chronic medicines supply and administration in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

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:

provided information, guidance and support to at least three clients and their families in relation to health management options and issues for clients with chronic renal failure by:

recognising situations requiring immediate or urgent action

working with other members of multidisciplinary team to ensure actions determined in the client’s care plan are carried out and documented

carrying out mathematical calculations for renal dialysis clients. This includes:

identifying differences between weight measures

calculating doses

measuring medication

communicating effectively with clients, care team and referral agencies. This includes:

interpreting test results

explaining test results to clients

documenting information on client care plans

making timely and appropriate referrals, and providing accurate and relevant details to clients and referral agencies

holistically evaluating impact of renal dialysis treatment on client’s physical, mental and emotional condition and behaviour

monitoring outcomes of renal dialysis treatment and medication regimes

administering medicines by oral and intramuscular routes

contributing to evaluation of client’s prescribed treatment/care plan.

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 renal system

common causes of chronic renal failure

underlying environmental and social factors contributing to high rates of renal disease in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities

management principles for common co-morbidities (including diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia)

factors that can slow decline of renal function

key aspects of microbiology relevant to peritoneal, blood and skin infection in renal disease

pathophysiology of chronic renal failure, including:

fluid retention and pulmonary oedema

electrolyte balance and hazards of high potassium

calcium metabolism and renal bone disease

anaemia

signs and symptoms of uraemia and fluid retention

meaning and interpretation of common pathology tests for chronic renal failure and dialysis

haemodialysis technology – theory, machine components, terminology, infrastructure requirements, risks and benefits

peritoneal dialysis – theory, terminology, procedures, risks and benefits

different types of renal dialysis units and their function

nutritional considerations for renal dialysis clients

medicines in common use in management of chronic renal failure including basic mechanisms of action, precautions and side-effects

organisation policies and procedures.

Skills must be demonstrated working:

in a health service or centre

individually or as a member 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.

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
 
Provide information on renal failure and renal replacement therapy options to clients with chronic renal failure and their families, in consultation with the health care team 
Identify and provide to clients appropriate health education resources on renal disease dialysis and transplantation 
Provide information and practical assistance to renal clients who need to travel to distant referral centres for assessment, treatment or training 
Support current and potential future dialysis ‘helpers’ with information and practical assistance in their role 
Ensure client access to specialist nephrology care 
Obtain history of shortness of breath or postural dizziness 
Measure ‘wet’ or ‘dry’ weight and compare with ideal body weight 
Elicit physical signs of fluid overload 
Interpret client weight, blood pressure and other clinical signs to determine hydration status 
Revise ideal body weight estimates in consultation with senior staff 
Document assessments in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 
Provide information on routine dialysis tests to clients in plain language 
Collect blood specimens and complete pathology request forms according to standard protocols 
Interpret routine test results and give basic client feedback 
Refer abnormal test results to medical staff for action 
Provide clients with plain language information on mechanisms of action, dosing and common side-effects of medicines commonly used in dialysis care 
Identify potential drug interactions, special precautions, contraindications and side-effects and refer to a medical practitioner 
Administer medicine by oral and intramuscular routes in accordance with medicine orders, organisation policies and procedures and legal frameworks 
Support and monitor client adherence to medicines regimen 
Provide assistance with supply of medicines and use of dose administration aids according to client needs 
Keep records of chronic medicines supply and administration in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTAHW054 - Support renal dialysis clients in the community setting
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

HLTAHW054 - Support renal dialysis clients in the community setting

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: