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

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

Documented process to enable the access and interpretation of up to date information

Relevant assessment instruments

Appropriate assessment environment

Skilled assessors

Method of assessment

Observation and practical demonstration in the work place

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 for plan preparations

Written, multiple choice or short answer tests

Research work

Access and equity considerations:

Workers should have an understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture and history and an ability to work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Assessors and trainers must have a knowledge of and take into account the influence of cultural and historic factors relating to health for those working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

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

Related units:

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

HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients

HLTHER601C Apply western herbal medicine diagnostic 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:

Active principles of the herbs which may be prescribed for treatment of each condition/system

Advanced knowledge of medical terminology

Allopathic drugs, their classifications, usage and side effects

Common disease states and functional problems of each bodily system

Community resources and support services

Contra-indications of treatment

Drug abuse - signs, consequences, treatment and community resources available

Drug interactions with herbal medicines

Groups of herbs and how to distinguish between them

Knowledge and understanding of methods of preparing treatment and management plans

Legal and ethical considerations in treating clients with herbal remedies

Lifestyle factors relevant to treatment of specific conditions and diseases

Major herbs with respect to their use for general symptoms, psychological and physiological indications

Medical reports and diagnostic procedures

Minor herbs in respect to their most important indications

Pharmaceutical and herbal medicines used in pregnancy and breast feeding

Pharmaceutical and herbal medicines used to treat disorders of each system of the body

Pharmacodynamics of pharmaceutical and herbal medicines and the theory of drug action; factors modifying drug effect and dosage; drug toxicity and toxicology

Pharmacokinetics of herbal medicines - drug administration, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion

Pharmacology of pharmaceutical and herbal medicines

Possible obstacles to cure

Principles and practice of treating common conditions

Principles of formulation (including dosage and duration of treatment)

Remedies/treatments and dosages used to treat particular conditions

Supplementary measures in the management of the condition/system eg dietary considerations and exercise

continued ...

Essential knowledge (Continued):

The clinical indications of herbal medicines relevant to specific circumstances eg infectious diseases, first aid and injuries

The correct preparations required for specific treatment

The interaction of treatments with foods, other herbs, nutritional supplements and drugs

The possible responses to treatments

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 on herbal medicines and practices

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

Apply methods of treating and managing disease process of each system using herbal medicines

Demonstrate communication and negotiation skills

Demonstrate consideration of the impact of client vitality on selected treatments

Dispense remedies/treatments

Identify treatment options and establish treatment regimes

Prepare treatment plans

Prescribe herbal medicines according to the time-frame appropriate to the client condition and the herbs selected, and to the dosage recommended for the client's age

Provide advice

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Understand and discuss medical reports and other data relevant to the case

Use interpersonal and questioning skills

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.

Therapeutic principles of herbal medicine framework refer to:

Practices, theories and philosophies specific to the use of herbal medicines in the treatment of clients eg concurrent, palliative and continuing care and recognise the stage of the client's illness in terms of chronicity, tendency for the condition to degenerate or spontaneously resolve

Contraindications to treatment and possible complicating factors may include:

Acute surgical and medical conditions such as cardiac arrest, acute hypovolaemic shock, paralytic ileus and loss of consciousness

Traumatic injuries or conditions requiring immediate medical attention

Life threatening situations

Personal or life circumstances

Ability or willingness to comply with treatment

Allergies/sensitivities

Past treatment history

Current conditions/disease state

Current medications/treatments

Contra-indications for use of certain excipients and bases

Treatments may include:

Prescription of herbal medicines

Dispensing of extemporaneous preparations

Client compliance refers to:

Ability to follow instructions or suggestions

Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions

Discrepancies may include:

Client is unaware of the immediate danger of their condition

Client is over anxious about their condition

Client is unaware of maintaining causes acting on their condition

Practitioner is unaware of some implications of the client's condition

Practitioner and client have a different view as to what the main problem is

Practitioner responsibilities may include:

Isolating the sick person

Notifying doctor about their condition

Appropriate hygienic procedures

Notifying state health authorities of notifiable/communicable disease

Commitment to the treatment plan

Discussing relevant contra-indications or potential complications to treatment

Reviewing of treatment plan

Client responsibilities may include:

Following instruction/advice during and post treatment

Advising practitioner of any relevant contra-indications or potential complications to treatment

Advising practitioner of compliance issues

Commitment to the treatment plan

Treatment evaluation strategies may include:

Discussing and reviewing of response to treatment

Reviewing achievement of treatment goals

Monitoring time-frame for achieving treatment goals