Elements and Performance Criteria
- Elements define the essential outcomes
- Prepare for hydrotherapy program
- Confirm program requirements against the prescribed information provided by the allied health professional
- Confer with allied health professional if requirements outlined in the program are not clear, do not take into account client needs and abilities or are beyond scope of role and responsibilities as defined by the organisation
- Determine the clients’ availability, according to the organisation’s protocols
- Gather necessary equipment for the program
- Prepare the setting for the program
- Ensure adequate staff are present to meet organisation’s staff: client ratio requirements
- Obtain consent from the clients before commencing the program
- Conduct the hydrotherapy program
- Assist with program according to the instruction of treating allied health professional
- Explain the purpose, rationale and requirements of each part of the program to the clients
- Assist clients in and out of the pool safely and efficiently according to organisation manual handling policy and treatment goals
- Guide the clients to complete the program according to prescribed treatment plan
- Demonstrate components of hydrotherapy to client
- Provide the clients with sufficient time, opportunity and encouragement to practice existing and newly developed skills
- Observe client movement through water and provide feedback to reinforce understanding and the correct application of the program
- Monitor the clients during and after the program according to the prescribed treatment plan
- Identify and manage client adherence issues
- Identify the need for adjustment to the program and report to the treating physiotherapist in a timely manner
- Recognise when client becomes distressed, in pain or communicates their desire to slow down, change activity or stop by following stepping down procedures outlined in treatment plan or organisational guidelines
- Take appropriate and prompt action in response to any indicators of adverse reaction to the hydrotherapy according to relevant protocols and guidelines
- Respond to an aquatic emergency
- Support the person(s) in difficulty as quickly as possible
- Remove any other individuals from danger
- Assess the factors involved in a water rescue, the type of rescue required and any equipment needs
- Identify hazards and take appropriate action to prevent further injury/harm to the casualty
- Perform water rescue
- Observe and describe the condition of the casualty to first aid provider
- Where necessary contact emergency services as soon as possible
- Record and report the incident according to, legislative, regulatory and organisation requirements
- Assist client after hydrotherapy session
- Comply with supervisory requirements
- Clean and store equipment
- Report and document information
- Report suggested adjustments to hydrotherapy program, together with rationale, to the responsible allied health professional
- Provide client progress feedback to the treating allied health professional
- Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating allied health professional
- Implement variations to the program according to the advice of the treating allied health professional
- Document information about the program according to the organisation’s protocols
- Use appropriate terminology to document symptomatic expression of identified problems related to the therapeutic program