Assessor Resource

HLTENN002
Apply communication skills in nursing practice

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply effective communication skills with a person, family or carer and with other healthcare professionals in a variety of health care settings.

Communication skills in nursing practice require using information technology as well as interpersonal skills applied therapeutically in nursing care and small group discussions.

This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.

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 describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Use effective communication skills in complex situations.

1.1 Apply principles of effective communication to facilitate, not inhibit, communication with the person.

1.2 Maximise opportunities to involve the person and family or carer in their care and treatment.

1.3 Clarify roles and responsibilities of the interdisciplinary health care team involved in communicating in complex situations, including clarifying own role as an enrolled nurse.

1.4 Demonstrate politeness, respect and empathy in all interactions with the person, family or carer.

1.5 Use health terminology correctly in written and verbal communication with the person, family or carer and with colleagues.

2. Identify and address actual and potential constraints to communication.

2.1 Identify early signs of potentially complex communication situations with a person, including with people who have hearing or vision impairments and require assistance.

2.2 Implement strategies to address complex communication situations in accordance with relevant policies and procedures, and within scope of role.

2.3 Demonstrate advocacy for a person in the health or community care setting.

3. Use information technology to support communication in nursing practice.

3.1 Use computers and related information technology to access, develop and adhere to reporting requirements according to organisation policy and procedures.

3.2 Comply with organisation policy and procedures for electronic communication with the person, family or carer.

3.3 Use information technology including the internet to access data appropriate to own role and organisation policy and procedures.

3.4 Apply ethical principles and follow regulatory responsibilities when using social media and interacting online in nursing role.

3.5 Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to reporting requirements to support safe practice according to organisation policy and procedures.

4. Lead small group discussions.

4.1 Monitor and respond appropriately to changing group dynamics.

4.2 Clarify the purpose of group meetings and manage discussion to achieve identified objectives.

4.3 Implement meeting procedures appropriate to the meeting’s purpose.

4.4 Clarify participants’ roles and use communication strategies to support their effective contribution to discussion.

5. Give and receive feedback for performance improvement.

5.1 Identify effective communication strategies for giving and receiving feedback on own performance.

5.2 Apply strategies that deliver constructive outcomes in giving and receiving feedback.

5.3 Use appropriate language and a respectful manner in giving and receiving feedback.

6. Evaluate effectiveness of communication in complex situations.

6.1 Participate in debriefing sessions following communication for complex situations.

6.2 Document, consider and report outcomes of communication strategies used to address complex situations.

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:

undertaken nursing work in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia professional practice standards, codes and guidelines

communicated effectively within the context of the enrolled nurse role in 4 different complex communication situations, with at least 1 of the situations involving a person, family or carer, and at least 1 of the situations involving work colleagues.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

characteristics of effective partnerships in nursing including:

confidentiality

trust

self-reflection

social conversation

creating a therapeutic environment

resources for the Core Standards for nurses who support people with a disability (NSW Family and Community Services)

Communication and Behaviour Support for Nurses Practice Package

Communication and Behaviour Support for Nurses Appraisal

documentation related to clinical handover

elements and skills of communication processes:

interviewing techniques

active listening

conflict resolution

interpersonal skills

negotiating solutions

group dynamics

access and use of interpreters

factors that may facilitate and inhibit communication

information technology used in communication, and email etiquette and policies for use

principles underpinning nursing documentation including legal obligations

principles, processes and practices of open disclosure in line with Australian Open Disclosure Framework

medical terminology used in clinical situations and enrolled nurse practice

sensory losses and appropriate nursing responses

social media policies for nurses.

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources in line with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council’s Standards

modelling of industry operating conditions including access to real people for simulations and scenarios in enrolled nursing work.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

In addition, assessors must hold current registration as a registered nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.


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 describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Use effective communication skills in complex situations.

1.1 Apply principles of effective communication to facilitate, not inhibit, communication with the person.

1.2 Maximise opportunities to involve the person and family or carer in their care and treatment.

1.3 Clarify roles and responsibilities of the interdisciplinary health care team involved in communicating in complex situations, including clarifying own role as an enrolled nurse.

1.4 Demonstrate politeness, respect and empathy in all interactions with the person, family or carer.

1.5 Use health terminology correctly in written and verbal communication with the person, family or carer and with colleagues.

2. Identify and address actual and potential constraints to communication.

2.1 Identify early signs of potentially complex communication situations with a person, including with people who have hearing or vision impairments and require assistance.

2.2 Implement strategies to address complex communication situations in accordance with relevant policies and procedures, and within scope of role.

2.3 Demonstrate advocacy for a person in the health or community care setting.

3. Use information technology to support communication in nursing practice.

3.1 Use computers and related information technology to access, develop and adhere to reporting requirements according to organisation policy and procedures.

3.2 Comply with organisation policy and procedures for electronic communication with the person, family or carer.

3.3 Use information technology including the internet to access data appropriate to own role and organisation policy and procedures.

3.4 Apply ethical principles and follow regulatory responsibilities when using social media and interacting online in nursing role.

3.5 Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to reporting requirements to support safe practice according to organisation policy and procedures.

4. Lead small group discussions.

4.1 Monitor and respond appropriately to changing group dynamics.

4.2 Clarify the purpose of group meetings and manage discussion to achieve identified objectives.

4.3 Implement meeting procedures appropriate to the meeting’s purpose.

4.4 Clarify participants’ roles and use communication strategies to support their effective contribution to discussion.

5. Give and receive feedback for performance improvement.

5.1 Identify effective communication strategies for giving and receiving feedback on own performance.

5.2 Apply strategies that deliver constructive outcomes in giving and receiving feedback.

5.3 Use appropriate language and a respectful manner in giving and receiving feedback.

6. Evaluate effectiveness of communication in complex situations.

6.1 Participate in debriefing sessions following communication for complex situations.

6.2 Document, consider and report outcomes of communication strategies used to address complex situations.

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:

undertaken nursing work in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia professional practice standards, codes and guidelines

communicated effectively within the context of the enrolled nurse role in 4 different complex communication situations, with at least 1 of the situations involving a person, family or carer, and at least 1 of the situations involving work colleagues.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

characteristics of effective partnerships in nursing including:

confidentiality

trust

self-reflection

social conversation

creating a therapeutic environment

resources for the Core Standards for nurses who support people with a disability (NSW Family and Community Services)

Communication and Behaviour Support for Nurses Practice Package

Communication and Behaviour Support for Nurses Appraisal

documentation related to clinical handover

elements and skills of communication processes:

interviewing techniques

active listening

conflict resolution

interpersonal skills

negotiating solutions

group dynamics

access and use of interpreters

factors that may facilitate and inhibit communication

information technology used in communication, and email etiquette and policies for use

principles underpinning nursing documentation including legal obligations

principles, processes and practices of open disclosure in line with Australian Open Disclosure Framework

medical terminology used in clinical situations and enrolled nurse practice

sensory losses and appropriate nursing responses

social media policies for nurses.

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources in line with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council’s Standards

modelling of industry operating conditions including access to real people for simulations and scenarios in enrolled nursing work.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

In addition, assessors must hold current registration as a registered nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

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
 
Apply principles of effective communication to facilitate, not inhibit, communication with the person. 
Maximise opportunities to involve the person and family or carer in their care and treatment. 
Clarify roles and responsibilities of the interdisciplinary health care team involved in communicating in complex situations, including clarifying own role as an enrolled nurse. 
Demonstrate politeness, respect and empathy in all interactions with the person, family or carer. 
Use health terminology correctly in written and verbal communication with the person, family or carer and with colleagues. 
Identify early signs of potentially complex communication situations with a person, including with people who have hearing or vision impairments and require assistance. 
Implement strategies to address complex communication situations in accordance with relevant policies and procedures, and within scope of role. 
Demonstrate advocacy for a person in the health or community care setting. 
Use computers and related information technology to access, develop and adhere to reporting requirements according to organisation policy and procedures. 
Comply with organisation policy and procedures for electronic communication with the person, family or carer. 
Use information technology including the internet to access data appropriate to own role and organisation policy and procedures. 
Apply ethical principles and follow regulatory responsibilities when using social media and interacting online in nursing role. 
Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to reporting requirements to support safe practice according to organisation policy and procedures. 
Monitor and respond appropriately to changing group dynamics. 
Clarify the purpose of group meetings and manage discussion to achieve identified objectives. 
Implement meeting procedures appropriate to the meeting’s purpose. 
Clarify participants’ roles and use communication strategies to support their effective contribution to discussion. 
Identify effective communication strategies for giving and receiving feedback on own performance. 
Apply strategies that deliver constructive outcomes in giving and receiving feedback. 
Use appropriate language and a respectful manner in giving and receiving feedback. 
Participate in debriefing sessions following communication for complex situations. 
Document, consider and report outcomes of communication strategies used to address complex situations. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTENN002 - Apply communication skills in nursing practice
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

HLTENN002 - Apply communication skills in nursing practice

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:

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Date:

Student signature:

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