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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for the delivery of podiatry exercise program or assessment procedures
  2. Deliver podiatry exercise or rehabilitation program
  3. Assist with podiatry assessments
  4. Clean and store equipment
  5. Document client information
  6. Comply with supervisory requirements

Required Skills

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

Structure and function of the skin and integuments

Basic biomechanics of the lower limb and gait cycle

Basic anatomy and physiology of the foot

Podiatry exercise and rehabilitation principles

Safe and effective use of equipment used in podiatry exercise and rehabilitation programs

Safe and effective use of equipment and instrumentation used in podiatry assessment procedures

Relevant organisation policies and procedures

Disease processes relevant to the client groups

Client care plans goals and limitations of podiatry intervention

Medical terminology

Roles responsibilities and limitations of self and other allied health team members and nursing medical and other personnel

OHS policy and procedures

Privacy and confidentiality requirements

Infection control protocols

Supervisory and reporting protocols

Record keeping requirements

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Implement podiatric exercise and rehabilitation practices

Undertake activity analysis breaking activities down into component parts

Construct the environment for safe implementation of exercise and rehabilitation programs and assessment procedures

Demonstrate observation and recording skills

Work with OHS and infection control requirements

Work safely with electronic equipment and instrumentation

Demonstrate safe and accurate use of podiatry assessment equipment and instrumentation

Communicate effectively with clients

Provide legible logical and appropriate documentation

Demonstrate safe and effective implementation of procedures under supervision

In addition the candidate must be able 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

Work under direct and indirect supervision

Communicate effectively with clients for therapeutic assessment and monitoring support

Communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers

Work effectively with noncompliant clients

Demonstrate time management personal organisation skills and establishing priorities

Maintain accurate records

Evidence Required

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 workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated for a minimum of seven different client specific podiatry foot exercise and rehabilitationpodiatry assessment sessions

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated for a minimum of seven balance and fall monitoring sessions

Consistent adherence to supervisory requirements

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 andor Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must be completed in the workplace

Relevant guidelines standards and procedures

Supervision from a podiatrist

Resources essential for assessment include

clients

equipment

documentation

Method of assessment

Observation in the work place

Written assignmentsprojects

Questioning

Clinical case studies

Range Statement

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.

Supervision refers to:

Instructing, advising, and monitoring another person in order to ensure safe and effective performance in carrying out the duties of their position

The nature of supervision is flexible and may be conducted by various means including:

in person

through use of electronic communications media such as telephone or video conferencing, where necessary

Frequency of supervision will be determined by factors such as:

the task maturity of the person in that position or clinical placement

the need to review and assess client conditions and progress in order to establish or alter treatment plans in case of students and assistants

the need to correct and develop non clinical aspects such as time management, organisation requirements, communication skills, and other factors supporting the provision of clinical care and working within a team

A person under supervision does not require direct (immediate) and continuous personal interaction, but the method and frequency will be determined by factors outlined above

Clients may include:

Infants

Children

Adolescents

Adults

Elderly people

Settings may include

Hospitals

Community health services

Private practice

Client homes

Aged care residential care settings

Therapeutic modality may include:

Heat and cold

Stretching and strengthening

Guided exercise (chair based, warm water, exercise equipment, etc)

Soft tissue massage

Exercise and rehabilitation activities may include but are not limited to:

Stretching programs

Strengthening programs

Improving range and quality of motion in joints

Improving proprioception and sensory feedback through guided and supported activity

Use of physical and mechanical aids and equipment

Supervised use of electronic therapeutic equipment (such as ultrasound, TENS)

Advice and support in selection of appropriate footwear

Assessment activities may include but are not limited to:

Assisting with collection of data such as:
segmental blood pressure measurement (ankle-brachial index, digital brachial index)

Doppler ultrasound

Cutaneous sensory testing (monofilament, calibrated vibration, sharp/blunt)

Gait assessment through image analysis

Gait assessment through electronic data collection

Recording information provided by podiatrist during patient assessment

Equipment may include but is not limited to:

Weights and resistance equipment

Ambulation and mobilisation aids and equipment

Measurement devices (goniometers)

Stethoscope

Sphygmomanometer

Doppler Ultrasound equipment

Monofilament

Calibrated tuning fork/vibration equipment

Treadmill

Image capture equipment (still and video cameras)

Computer hardware and assessment software

Therapeutic ultrasound equipment

TENS

Wax Bath

Heat/cold equipment

Client difficulties may include but are not limited to:

Musculoskeletal disorders

Peripheral vascular disease

Neuropathy (central and peripheral nervous system)

Clinical standards, guidelines, policies and procedures may include:

Clinical standards (state and national)

Infection Control Guidelines for Podiatrists, Australasian Podiatry Council, September 2005

Industry professional bodies

Australasian Podiatry Council

Australian Podiatry Association (State)

Industry standards (state and national)

Podiatrists Registration Board (State)

Organisation policy directives

Privacy Act

Medical Records Act

Relevant Australian Standards

Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4815 - 2001 (Office-based health care facilities not involved in complex patient procedures and processes - Cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment, and maintenance of the associated environment)

Australian Standard AS 4187 - 1998 (Cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment and maintenance of associated environments in a health care facilities)

Australian Standard AS 2182 - 1998 (Sterilisers - steam-bench top)

Client compliance refers to:

Ability to follow instructions or suggestions

Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions

Information may include:

Podiatry care plan

Supervising podiatrists instructions

Client record

Checklists

Case notes

Other forms according to procedures of the organisation