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 of assessment:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

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

Conditions of assessment:

This unit includes skills and knowledge specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture

Assessment must therefore be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in the unit of competency or who has the current qualification being assessed and who is:

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander him/herself

or:

accompanied and advised by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care

Context of assessment:

Competence should be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a primary health care team working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

Related units:

This unit may be assessed independently or in conjunction with other units with associated workplace application

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:

Statistical incidence of communicable diseases Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations and especially in local communities.

Broad knowledge of communicable diseases (manifestation, impact and treatment).

The concept of risk factors and strategies to minimise risk.

The importance of early detection and action to avoid transmission.

Options for treatment / management.

Strategies for prevention of communicable diseases in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.

Knowledge of symptoms and signs that suggest a need for medical or specialist assessment.

Organisation policies and procedures relating to client confidentiality.

Role of the Aboriginal Health Worker in counselling and health education.

Strategies to:

Improve the incidence of communicable diseases in the community.

Address clients presenting with signs or symptoms of a communicable disease.

Coordinate provision of optimum level of health service delivery in relation to communicable diseases.

Communicable disease issues requiring referral.

Relevant evaluation criteria for monitoring effectiveness of health care program.

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Communicate effectively in a group and one-on-one environment to promote healthy practices and discuss health issues

Provide accurate and relevant information and guidance about communicable disease care in line with identified individual and community needs

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:

Take a case history and use appropriate screening techniques to detect communicable diseases

Recognise variations form normal screening outcomes

Communicate effectively with client to obtain information and ensure understanding of information provided

Liaise between service providers, individuals, families and community groups

Provide effective community education on communicable diseases

Reflect on and improve own level and application of skills and knowledge to achieve desirable outcomes and maintain own capabilities

Work with a team to deliver effective health promotion and education for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities and clients using appropriate facilitation, problem solving and instructional practices

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.

Cultural respect

This competency standard supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

It recognises that the improvement of the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social well-being, community capacity and governance

Its application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices

Community control

Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of health work, and the role of the health worker is to support the community in this process

Supervision

Supervision must be conducted in accordance with prevailing state/territory and organisation legislative and regulatory requirements

References to supervision may include either direct or indirect supervision of work by more experienced workers, supervisors, managers or other health professionals

A person at this level should only be required to make decisions about clients within the organisation's standard treatment protocols and associated guidelines

Legislative requirements

Federal, state or territory legislation may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities. Implementation of the competency standards should reflect the legislative framework in which a health worker operates. It is recognised that this may sometimes reduce the application of the Range of Variables in practice. However, assessment in the workplace or through simulation should address all essential skills and knowledge across the Range of Variables

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers may be required to operate in situations that do not constitute "usual practice" due to lack of resources, remote locations and community needs. As a result, they may need to possess more competencies than described by "usual practice circumstances"

Under all circumstances, the employer must enable the worker to function within the prevailing legislative framework

Support for clients with common communicable diseases may include but is not limited to:

Information on:

the nature and prevalence of communicable disease

risk factors and practices to reduce or minimise risk

diet

medication

exercise

the importance of regular blood tests, urine tests and medical review

the natural history of the disease

regular monitoring

options for management

referral

liaison with other agencies

Information on communicable disease may include but is not limited to:

Cycle of communicable disease including:

aetiological agent

reservoir

portal of exit

mode of transmission

portal of entry and

susceptible host

Reasons for excluding clients from schools or similar group situations.

Reasons for listing some communicable diseases as notifiable diseases