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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Gather information on community health
  2. Compile information
  3. Interpret information on community health
  4. Provide feedback to community and organisation

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

Relevant policies protocols and procedures of the organisation governments and other organisations

Relevant equipment and technology

Local resources

Sources of information and ways to access

Formats for compiling information

Community development principles

Respect for community ownership of data

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Undertake research related to health issues of an Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander community andor individual clients

Compile and interpret research findings and use the information to provide input into planning health promotion and care services

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

Use oral andor written reporting skills as required to fulfil job requirements

Network effectively

Apply effective presentation skills

Communicate effectively

Analyse information and formulate conclusions

Apply principles of community development

Use relevant equipment and technology

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 of assessment

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

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

Conditions of assessment

This unit includes skills and knowledge specific to Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander culture

Assessment must therefore be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in the unit of competency or who has the current qualification being assessed and who is

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander himherself

or

accompanied and advised by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care

Context of assessment

Competence should be demonstrated working individually under supervision or as part of a primary health care team working with Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander clients

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

Related units

This unit may be assessed independently or in conjunction with other units with associated workplace application

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.

Cultural respect

This competency standard supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

It recognises that the improvement of the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social well-being, community capacity and governance

Its application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices

Community control

Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of health work, and the role of the health worker is to support the community in this process

Supervision

Supervision must be conducted in accordance with prevailing state/territory and organisation legislative and regulatory requirements

References to supervision may include either direct or indirect supervision of work by more experienced workers, supervisors, managers or other health professionals

A person at this level should only be required to make decisions about clients within the organisation's standard treatment protocols and associated guidelines

Legislative requirements

Federal, state or territory legislation may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities. Implementation of the competency standards should reflect the legislative framework in which a health worker operates. It is recognised that this may sometimes reduce the application of the Range of Variables in practice. However, assessment in the workplace or through simulation should address all essential skills and knowledge across the Range of Variables

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers may be required to operate in situations that do not constitute 'usual practice' due to lack of resources, remote locations and community needs. As a result, they may need to possess more competencies than described by 'usual practice circumstances'

Under all circumstances, the employer must enable the worker to function within the prevailing legislative framework

Information gathering responsibilities may include:

Preparing information for planning new services, reviewing existing services, providing advice to management (for use in policy development, strategic planning, marketing and promotion)

Providing information specific to an organisation, its clients, interests and relationship with the wider community

Initiating and brokering research activities to ensure specific client interests and issues are respected and addressed

Information may include:

Community characteristics

Research data from a range of sources, including client recall systems

Views and opinions

Statistics

Other relevant documents regarding community health issues

Relevant records, correspondence and reports

Key people may include:

The local community

Those within and external to the organisation and community

Community leaders and representatives

Agency/ service representatives

People with an interest in the outcomes of the research

Information is gathered by:

Interviews and discussions with individuals and groups

Using networks and established forums

Qualitative and/or quantitative measurements

Reviewing existing documents, records and statistics

Recording of information may be:

In writing

Verbally, by reporting to other required persons

Photographed

Filmed

Appropriate systems and formats for compiling information may include:

Specified formats for preparing reports

Maintaining databases

Noting information on records systems

Advising appropriate people of the information gathered

Research co-ordinator is:

The person assigned the responsibility of ensuring required research is undertaken, analysed and implemented

This person may be a manager of health work with broad responsibilities, or a person employed for specific research purposes

Advice of research outcomes may be by:

Preparation and circulation of reports

Verbal reporting at meetings or to individuals

Presentations to meetings or other organisations