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 a range of workplace situations

Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations

Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application

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:

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Resources essential for assessment include:

an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

relevant texts or medical manuals

relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments

appropriate assessment environment

skilled assessors

Method of assessment

Observation in the work place (if possible)

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

Explanations of technique

Related units:

This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related units:

HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients

HLTHIR301C Communicate and work effectively in health

HLTAYV412C Provide ayurvedic lifestyle consultation

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:

Adverse effects associated with ayurvedic nutritional supplementation

Ama, its causes, signs and symptoms

Amino acids (essential and non-essential)

Appropriate dosage levels of nutritional

Ayurvedic cooking and food preparation

Ayurvedic food classifications, categories and composition including grains, legumes, pulses, meat, fish, eggs and protein alternatives, dairy foods, fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds

Ayurvedic nutrition principles and nutritional status assessment

Ayurvedic philosophy

Basic biochemistry as it relates to diet and nutrition

Basic knowledge of foods containing carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients

Basic knowledge of foods containing macronutrients and micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins

Contra-indications of treatment

Culinary herbs and spices in an ayurvedic framework

Cultural restrictions on diet and nutritional supplementation (e.g. gelatin in capsules)

Drug-nutrient and nutrient-nutrient interactions

Eating patterns, foods affecting the mind and moods, food labelling, food additives, preservatives and colouring

Familiarity with supplementary measures in the management of the conditions (lifestyle considerations, other modalities of treatment)

Fibrous and plant proteins

Guidelines for the ayurvedic diet

How to correctly prepare and dispense nutritional supplements

Medical reports and diagnostic procedures

Nutrient types

Rasa, virya and vipaka

The agnis and their role in transformation of nutritients

The components of common diets

The function of fibre in the body

continued ...

Essential knowledge (contd):

The main ayurvedic nutritional supplements used for each system/condition

The possible responses to treatments

The potential impact of supplementation on the condition or disease state, including preventative action

The principles of formulation (including dosage, dosage form, and duration of treatment)

The process of digestion according to ayurvedic principles

The six tastes (raas)

Tridosha theory

Triguna theory and its relationship to food

Types of diets (omnivore, vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, vegan, fruitarian, zen macrobiotic), milk categories and processed foods

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:

Access and interpret up-to-date information

Access reference material on the effects of current conventional drug therapies and their withdrawal

Advise on ayurvedic nutritional supplements and determine the most appropriate supplementation, dosage and administration

Assess the components of food found in common diets from an ayurvedic perspective

Implement treatment plans to achieve optimal health, rehabilitation, or to improve quality of life which involve:

demonstration of ability to assess nutritional needs according to ayurvedic principles

appropriate preparation of the client for treatment

treatment of a range of conditions

incorporation of the philosophies and principles of the practice of Ayurveda

demonstration of the application of commonly used treatment practices

provision of treatment in accordance with the individual, condition and presence of complicating factors

provision of the safest, most efficacious and cost effective treatment method

use of counselling within the nutritional consultation as an aid to treatment

provision of treatment in accordance with the treatment plan

complete documentation of all recommendations and client responses

review of treatment plan

Demonstrate basic ability to identify foods containing various nutrients

Demonstrate interpersonal and questioning skills

Demonstrate interpersonal skills

Design and implement dietary modifications in a manner acceptable to the client

Determine the ayurvedic dietary requirements of clients for a range of human conditions including dosha imbalances, ama, deficiency of excess in the dhatus (tissues), pregnancy and lactation, infancy; childhood, adolescence, adulthood (male/female), old age, health and fitness

Identify foods deficient in nutrients

Write referrals, appraisal letters for insurance companies and other documentation

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 which interfere with the effectiveness of advice may include:

Cultural factors

Other medical treatment being undertaken

Client's physical and psychological readiness and/or wellness

Contra-indications to treatment

Post treatment activity

Dietary modification may include:

Exclusion of some foods or food groupings according to ayurvedic principles

Inclusion of some foods or food groupings according to ayurvedic principles

Increased consumption of some foods or food groupings according to ayurvedic principles

Decreased consumption of some foods or food groupings according to ayurvedic principles

Inclusion of nutritional supplements according to ayurvedic principles

Consent for treatment refers to:

Informed consent according to the local and national regulations and legal guidelines

Contra-indications to treatment may include:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Drug-nutrient and nutrient-nutrient interactions

Known allergies

Specific illnesses and conditions

Other medical treatment being undertaken

Responses to reactions may include:

Adjusting treatment accordingly

Seeking appropriate expertise

Discussing reaction with the client

Adherence to clinic guidelines for response to accidents and emergencies

Use of first aid procedures according to St Johns, Australian Red Cross or other appropriate First Aid training

Accessing local emergency services

ayurvedic nutritional supplementation may include:

Culinary herbs or spices

ayurvedic herbal teas

Churnas

Herbal ghees

Arkas (herbalised waters)

Environmental factors may include:

Food additives

intentional

non-intentional

Food contamination (microbiological)

Pollution

Other factors may include:

Pharmaceutical drugs

Self-prescribed medication

Cultural

Dental problems

Food cravings

Food aversions

Food preparation techniques

Dosha imbalance

Guna balance

Dietary advice may include:

Advice on ayurvedic cooking techniques

Teaching of ayurvedic cooking

Advice on appropriate foods according to ayurvedic principles

Advice on appropriate drinks and beverages according to ayurvedic principles

Advice on use of ayurvedic nutritional supplements

Regulations may include:

Hygiene and infection control regulations

WHS regulations

Clinic or professional practice guidelines

Resource the client refers to:

Providing relevant literature or information materials

Referring client to other information sources

Providing advice regarding self-care

Advising client of suggested resources

Providing details which help to fully inform client of relevant information

Providing referrals to other health professionals

Availability of products required or suggested for treatment

Relevant and practical techniques that promote and maintain optimal health may include:

Exercise suggestions

Ayurvedic stress management techniques

Yoga

Meditation

Lifestyle modification may include:

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco consumption

Social/recreational drugs use

Living arrangements

Working conditions

Daily practices such as yoga and meditation

Seasonal and daily ayurvedic routines

Ayurvedic dietary improvements