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)

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

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:

An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

Relevant texts or medical manuals

Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments

Appropriate assessment environment

Method of assessment

Observation in the workplace

Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge

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

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

Explanations for plan preparations

Oral questioning and discussion

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 unit:

HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients

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:

Basic assessment procedures and options

Basic surface anatomy

Environmental physiology and the effects of drugs on the individual

Ethical and legal implications of enquiry and treatment

Functions of major muscle groups.

Fundamental human physiology

Indications and contra-indications for massage

Pathology and symptomology

Possible obstacles to treatment

Reproduction as it relates to massage

Skeletal musculature

The articular system, classification of joints and types and ranges of motion

The ethical and legal implications of the practice of massage

The organisation of the body

The organisation of the nervous system

The systems and regions of the body

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:

Comprehend common medical terminology

Demonstrate communication and negotiation skills

Demonstrate communication skills to gain and convey required information

Demonstrate skills in applying basic assessment techniques

Identify contra-indications to massage

Identify prominent bones, structures and muscle groups through palpation

Identify treatment options

Manage time throughout consultation and treatment

Transcribe assessment findings and treatment in a client history

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 refers to:

Principles and practices of the massage therapy framework:

relevant code of ethics or code of conduct documents/policies, regulations and guidelines from state/territory or local massage therapy organisations and/or associations

relevant national, state/territory or local government regulations and guidelines

accepted preventative practices adopted by self or peers to minimise safety hazards and risks in the same or similar situations

current and past good practice demonstrated by self or peers in the same or similar situation

Contraindications to treatment and possible complicating factors may include:

Massage therapists are not expected to diagnose any conditions but must be able to recognise the indications and contra-indications of conditions

Massage is contraindicated in all infectious diseases suggested by fever, nausea and lethargy until a diagnosis is received and recommended by a medical practitioner

Always refer for diagnosis when symptoms do not have a logical explanation
Indications for referral may include:

pain local, sharp, dull, achy, deep, surface

fatigue

inflammation

lumps and tissue changes

rashes and changes in the skin

oedema

mood alterations, eg depression, anxiety

infection

changes in habits such as appetite elimination or sleep

bleeding and bruising

nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea

temperature-hot or cold

Endangerment sites are areas where nerves and blood vessels lie close to the skin and are not well protected:

anterior triangle of the neck

posterior triangle of the neck

axillary area

medial epicondyle

lateral epicondyle

area of the sternal notch and anterior throat

umbilicus area

twelfth rib dorsal body

sciatic notch

inguinal triangle

popliteal fossa

Treatment may involve:

Massage techniques to be performed in a variety of positions, i.e. standing, seated, prone, supine and side recumbent lying, and through clothing as well as conventional table massage
This may include:

Passive joint movement techniques

joints are moved through their range of movement, ie to the point of mild tissue resistance

Passive soft tissue movement

technique is applied with palmer surfaces of the hand, heel of hand and/or fingers

jostling: shaking of the muscle from origin to insertion

Gliding techniques

Effleurage: broad superficial strokes using the entire palmer surface of the hands to cover large surface areas of the body

longitudinal stroking: deep gliding movement is applied in the direction of the muscle fibres through focal pressure using fingers, palm, heel of hands, forearm and/or knuckles

transverse gliding

cross over stroke: pulling and pushing of the tissue using the hands in a criss-cross manner

Kneading

technique is applied with palm surface of the hand, heel of hand and/or fingers

soft tissue is mobilised with rhythmical circular rolling, squeezing or pulling movements

Friction techniques

superficial tissue is moved over an underlying structure in circular, longitudinal or transverse directions

deep repetitive movements of short amplitude are applied usually with thumbs, fingers and knuckles

Friction techniques

superficial tissue is moved over an underlying structure in circular, longitudinal or transverse directions

deep repetitive movements of short amplitude are applied usually with thumbs, fingers and knuckles

Friction techniques are believed to be beneficial in releasing adherent/scar tissue

continued ...

Treatment (contd):

Compressive techniques

digital pressure

compression: successive and rapid pressure, ie a series of short duration compressions, is applied to soft tissue between two structures, ie, underlying bone structures and therapist's hand, or hand to hand

percussion: cupping, tapping, hacking, pummelling and flicking are applied rhythmically using the hands

Petrissage

Temperature therapy

conduction, eg heat packs and immersion baths

radiation, eg ray lamps

friction

topical applications

Stretching techniques

Client compliance refers to:

Ability to follow instruction or suggestions

Willingness/motivation to follow instructions or suggestions

Perceived risks may include:

Discussion

Illustration using resources

Practitioner responsibilities may include:

Appropriate hygienic or sexual behaviour

Commitment to providing the agreed treatment

Discussing relevant contra-indications or potential complications to treatment

Reviewing of treatment

Client responsibilities may include:

Following instruction/advice during and post massage

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

Advising practitioner of compliance issues

Commitment to the treatment agreed upon