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

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:

This unit may be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under normal conditions

The unit may be assessed in the classroom

Access required to:

a range of government and non government policy documents and reports and statistics

journals, books and external expertise

documents and other materials (charters, declarations, discussion papers, etc.) from international conferences on population health

organisation policies and procedures

Method of assessment may include:

Observation of performance

Written tasks

Interviewing and questioning

Formal appraisal systems

Staff client feedback

Portfolio/CV

Supporting statement of supervisors

Evidence of relevant work experience/formal or informal learning

Case studies and scenarios as a basis for the discussion of issues in population health project planning

Project, exercise or investigation with relaxed time restraints requiring a significant part of the work to be carried out without close supervision and requiring the completion of a project report

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:

Equity issues in population health

Evidence-based practice

National, State and local health policies, goals, targets and priorities

Overview of the stages in population health project planning

Overview of the stages in population health project planning

Project budgeting as appropriate to small projects

Quality assurance

Relevant international charters/declarations and documents (e.g. Ottawa Charter, Alma Ata, The Solid Facts by WHO)

Social change and advocacy processes

Social change and advocacy processes

Theory and practice of population health including health promotion, health protection and prevention of communicable and non communicable diseases

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:

Analyse, judge and incorporate feedback where required

Apply effective communication and interpersonal skills including:

high level written and verbal

negotiation and liaison

consultation

conflict resolution and mediation

Demonstrate analytical thinking, problem solving and critical appraisal

Develop a population health project plan with reference to current health policy and practices

Engage and work collaboratively and/or in partnership

Facilitate and contribute effectively to meetings, forums and other networks

Identify and consult with key internal and external stakeholders throughout the planning process

Investigate and identify appropriate funding sources and ensure a fit between their funding categories, priorities and evaluation criteria and a proposed project plan

Pay attention to meeting organisation requirements for project plans

Undertake project planning

Undertake work planning and management

Work as part of a team and/or autonomously

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.

Population health projects may vary considerably in scope and content:

Population health projects may be developed in any population health field including:

health promotion

environment health

communicable diseases

health risk management and assessment

Population health projects may be developed at any level including:

local

regional

state

national

Population health projects may be developed for any population including:

general Australian population

any subgroups within that population identified based on age, sex, ethnicity, sexual identity, geographical location, physical environment, lifestyle choices, socio economic status, disability, health status, etc.

any community defined as collective group of people identified by common values and mutual concern for the development and well-being of their group or geographical area

any setting/organisation whose practices influence health behaviour (e.g. clinical services, general practice, schools, workplaces, etc.)

Population health projects can target individuals, groups or organizations

Population health projects may vary in duration and intensity

Population health projects may relate to different health determinants (e.g. biological, economic, behavioural, social, etc.)

Stakeholders are:

Any group or organisation that influences a project or is affected by it:

External stakeholders can include:

partners and collaborating organisations

grant making organizations

representatives of target communities

Internal stakeholders can include:

management

project team members

other staff

Other relevant personnel for consultation may include:

Public health sector staff

Community health sector staff

Private health sector staff

Volunteer networks

General practitioners

Administrators

Researchers

Educators

Academics

Business and industry representatives

Goal(s) refer to:

What the project aims to ultimately achieve

Strategy refers to:

A plan of action to achieve a project goal

Communities or target populations in population health:

The community or population may vary considerably in character, size, needs and capacity to access information and services

Documentary evidence include:

Staff CV's, organisation policies and practices, budgets, licenses

Sources of information for planning may include:

Literature from population health and related disciplines such as published book, peer-reviewed papers (especially systematic reviews) and reports

Literature outlining marketing and behaviour change strategies specific to the target population

Demographic data and information

Socio-economic data and information

Data and information from health research and health studies

Expert informants

Key representatives of the target population

National, state and local health policy documents and implementation guidelines