Elements and Performance Criteria
- Elements define the essential outcomes.
- Check sexual and reproductive health
- Undertake tests, observations and other screening procedures in line with protocols and client requirements
- Review client records to determine priorities and potential areas of risk for each client
- Question client appropriately to identify and/or clarify any sexual and/or reproductive health issues and/or significant variations from normal parameters
- Use medical equipment effectively and maintain in accordance with organisation policies
- Consult relevant allied professionals and available documentation in relation to the sexual and/or reproductive health of the client
- Obtain informed consent for all examinations and tests and undertake appropriate pre-test discussion before testing for HIV or other blood-borne viruses
- Provide care to clients with sexual health problems
- Respect Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community values, beliefs and gender taboos in assessing and managing sexual health problems
- Engage clients in holistic sexually transmissible infection (STI) risk assessment and take an appropriate sexual health history for each client presenting or identified with a sexual health problem
- Assess common sexual health problems according to clinical presentation and treat/refer/support in line with standard protocols and organisation guidelines
- Obtain history of sexual contacts where an STI is identified, negotiate contact tracing and follow-up contacts for testing and treatment in line with standard protocols
- Develop holistic health care plan for each client with sexual health problems
- Support and counsel clients with STIs to assist in treatment and prevention of infection
- Ensure records of STI management and contact tracing are kept confidential and secure
- Maintain current, complete, accurate and relevant records for each client interaction
- Provide information on sexual and reproductive health care
- Promote safe sex practices or other STI risk-reduction strategies and distribute condoms as appropriate
- Discuss common methods of birth control with clients, explaining each method, its advantages and disadvantages
- Discuss transmission of STIs and complications with the client as appropriate
- Discuss symptoms of pregnancy with clients and identify as appropriate
- Provide information on healthy lifestyle and risks during pregnancy
- Provide clients with information which is age and culturally appropriate and aligned with their specific needs
- Employ a range of interpersonal techniques to ensure own values are not imposed on clients and information is provided in a non-judgmental way
- Provide referral where own personal and professional abilities do not match client needs
- Evaluate effectiveness of sexual and reproductive health care
- Monitor sexual and reproductive health in line with schedule and criteria incorporated in care plan for each client
- Evaluate intervention/ongoing sexual and/or reproductive health care against standing order/written care protocols and client level of comfort and compliance with health care practices
- Ascertain degree of improvement of client’s holistic health and compare with expectations under the health care plan
- Undertake clinical re-assessment and/or review of treatment/medication regime as required where client fails to progress in accordance with expectation
- Provide client with clear information about their level of improvement in relation to the health care plan and their level of compliance
- Encourage clients to maintain sexual and reproductive health by active involvement with the care plan