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 performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) 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

Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender

Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:

interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace

scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units

holistic/integrated assessment including:

working within the practice framework

performing a health assessment

assessing the client

planning treatment

providing treatment

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:

Resources essential for assessment include:

An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

Relevant assessment instruments

Skilled assessors

Method of assessment:

Observation in the workplace

Examples of assessment notes

Written assignments/projects

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice

Questioning

Role play/simulation

Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting. If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision

Related units:

This unit should be assessed after or in conjunction with related unit:

HLTARO401B Work within an aromatherapy framework

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:

Understanding signs and symptoms of condition

Correct terminology and usage of terminology

Awareness of critical information required for assessment and treatment according to principles of aromatherapy

Relationships between body types and symptoms

Basis of health and disease

Influence of lifestyle, diet, personal history and values and attitudes on health

Influence of constitution and medical history on personal health

Influence of rest and activity on health status

Relationship between physical and social environment and health

Relevant testing and assessment options and procedures

Philosophical approach to diagnosis and treatment

Disease processes and affecting factors for a range of common diseases

Physiology and anatomy

Symptomatology and pathology

Disease causation, acute and chronic inflammatory processes, wound healing and haemorrhage processes

Pathological process of thrombosis and embolism

Atheroma formation and oedema and their effects within the human body

Normotensive and hypertensive characteristics

Infectious and immunity process

Neoplasms and pathological skin conditions

Structure and function of cells, tissues, blood and organs

Main paths of the human respiratory and cardiovascular systems and their physiology

Musculo-skeletal, digestive, integumentary, nervous, urinary, endocrine and reproductive systems

Structure and function of anatomical systems

Structure and function of skeletal, muscular; cardiovascular and lymphatic systems

Effects of hormones on the body

Principles of human movement and biomechanics

Ethical and legal implications of enquiry

Legislative and regulatory requirements

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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:

Demonstrate assessment skills

Demonstrate record keeping skills

Assess client using a range of aromatherapy assessment techniques

Demonstrate communication skills

Identify contraindications

Identify prominent bones/structures and major muscle groups through palpation

Read medical reports

Manage time management requirements during consultation

Communicate effectively to gain required information

Use equipment and technology competently and safely

Select and use appropriate assessment techniques

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.

Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:

Language difficulties

Disabilities

Emotional trauma

Lack of privacy or focus due to presence of additional parties

Cultural or gender factors

Other health care professionals may include but are not limited to:

Medical practitioners

Psychologists

Social workers

Counsellors

Other alternative/complementary health practitioners

Client history may include:

Date of presentation

Identifying personal details

Source of referral (if applicable)

Main presenting complaint or reason for massage

Presenting symptom picture

General state of health

Biological

Emotional

Psychological

Social

Spiritual

Allergies

Appetite and eating habits

Bowel and urinary habits

Menstrual cycle

Sleep patterns

Exercise

Relaxation/leisure activities

Childhood and adult illness

Accidents, injuries, operations

Hospitalisations

Occupational history and environment

Other current medical treatment

Medication, supplements and natural prescriptions - current and previous

Social lifestyle including social drug usage

Family history

Potential sensitivities may include:

Gender

Ethnicity

Language

Religious beliefs

Cultural heritage

Sexuality

Ability

Presenting disease state and personal history

Other appropriate assessment techniques may include

Taking a history

Palpation

Observation

Listening and smelling

Special tests including

patch tests

ROM

VAT

Taking of blood pressure, temperature, radial pulse rate and quality

Health reports and referrals

Discussion/questioning

Or any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard

Procedure which is conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements

Contraindications to treatment may include:

Infection or infectious diseases

Pain local sharp, dull, achy, deep, surface

Fatigue

Inflammation

Lumps and tissue changes

Rashes and changes in the skin

Oedema

Mood alterations, e.g. depression, anxiety

Changes in habits, e.g. appetite elimination or sleep

Bleeding and bruising

Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea

Temperature - hot/cold

Varicose veins

Recent severe sprains, bruises or whiplash injuries

Migraines

Recording of information may include:

Client contact details

Nature of presenting symptoms

Health History

Other health care details, past and present

Medications/supplementation - prescribed or otherwise

Health reports and referrals

Contraindications including intoxication and infection (bacterial, viral, fungal)

Client feedback

Adverse reactions including dermal, muscular, pain or discomfort

Home care advice

Treatment application and proposed program