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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Prepare for basic foot hygiene
   • Interpret and respond to client podiatry care plan and occasion of care requirements as prescribed by supervising podiatrist
   • Determine client availability according to organisation protocols
   • Gather necessary equipment
   • Undertake steps to meet infection control requirements
   • Prepare for basic foot hygiene to comply with legislation, regulatory and organisation/practice requirements
3. Perform basic foot hygiene
   • Explain to the client the purpose, rationale and requirements of the foot hygiene session
   • Determine the client’s understanding of the purpose, rationale and requirements of each part of the foot hygiene session
   • Identify any condition indicating the client is at high risk that requires podiatrist attention
   • Assist client in and out of any shoes, socks and/or hosiery
   • Position the client prior to foot hygiene session to reduce risk to provider and client
   • Implement necessary infection control measures
   • Perform basic foot hygiene according to the directions of the podiatrist and using appropriate infection control precautions, especially in relation to air borne particles
   • Apply appropriate dressings to any skin breaks which might result from treatment
   • Provide feedback that reinforces the podiatrist’s advice
   • Identify and manage client compliance issues
   • Work with client to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates
   • Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority
   • Report client difficulties to the supervising podiatrist
4. Apply padding and cushioning as prescribed by the supervising podiatrist
   • Explain to the client the purpose and rationale of the dressing, padding or cushioning
   • Determine the client’s understanding of the purpose and rationale of the dressing, padding or cushioning
   • Correctly position the client
   • Implement necessary infection control measures, including disposal of used padding and cushioning according to infection control protocols
   • Apply padding and cushioning according to directions of podiatrist
   • Provide feedback that reinforces the podiatrist’s advice
   • Identify and manage client compliance issues
   • Work with client to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates
   • Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority
   • Report client difficulties to the supervising podiatrist
5. Comply with supervisory requirements
   • Provide podiatry assistance according to the instruction of treating podiatrist
   • Provide client progress feedback to the treating podiatrist
   • Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating podiatrist
   • Implement variations to the podiatry care according to the advice of the treating podiatrist
6. Clean and store equipment
   • Collect, handle, manage and dispose of biological waste material according to organisation guidelines and infection control requirements
   • Prepare equipment for sterilisation according to manufacturer and organisation requirements
   • Store equipment according to manufacturers requirements and organisation protocols
   • Report equipment faults to appropriate person
7. Document client information
   • Document occasion of basic foot hygiene according to organisation requirements
   • Document referral to supervising podiatrist
   • Use appropriate terminology to document symptomatic expression of identified problems

Performance Evidence

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:

assisted with basic foot hygiene to at least 3 clients, 1 in a simulated environment and 2 in the workplace, including:

cutting and filing nails

identifying pathological nail and skin conditions

applying simple wound dressings to at least 3 different conditions

applying padding and cushioning to at least 3 different conditions

applying medicaments, including:

emollients

astringents

moisturisers

antiseptics

applied a wound dressing for an iatrogenic wound

safely and effectively used podiatry instruments and electrical equipment, including an electric drill

performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 120 hours of work

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Knowledge Evidence

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:

client treatment plans or foot care plan

goals and limitations of podiatry intervention and variations in podiatry conditions

basic anatomy and physiology of the foot, including medical terminology, structure and functioning of the skin and integuments, and basic understanding of foot pathology

the function of medicaments:

emollients

astringents

moisturisers

antiseptics

principles and protocols of:

aseptic technique

foot hygiene

organisation policy and procedures in relation to:

infection control

record keeping and reporting

other specific organisation procedures, including supervisory and reporting protocols

legal and ethical considerations relevant to allied health:

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

duty of care

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations of self and other allied health team members and nursing, medical and other personnel

work health and safety (WHS):

manual handling, including identification and control of manual task risk factors

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