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Elements and Performance Criteria

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

Influences on the development of sexuality such as gender spiritual and cultural values kinship practices individual ethics and socialisation

Past and present sexual trends within Aboriginal and nonAboriginal contexts

Sexual physiology and the human sexual response

The influence on human sexuality and the sexual response of factors such as

domestic violence

Healthy sexual behaviours and attitudes and practices that may interfere with the sexual health and emotional well being

safer sex practices and barriers to same

influence of alcohol and other drug use on sexual behaviours

Purpose of contraception and available options

Sexually transmitted disease including

descriptiondefinition statistics signs and symptoms universal precautions common STDs notifiable STDs

history of STD in the Aboriginal community and effects of STDs on the community

transmission testing and complications related to STDs

impact on the ability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to have children

contact tracing partner notification

available ways to prevent manage andor treat these diseases

Risk factors for contracting STDsHIV including

relationship between STDs and increased risk of contracting HIV

unprotected anal vaginal and oral sex receptive and insertive

partners mother to baby blood to blood

unsafe drug injection

Importance of confidentiality the limits to confidentiality and addressing it in a community

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Communicate effectively in a group and oneonone environment to promote healthy practices and discuss health issues

Provide accurate and relevant information and guidance about mens sexual health in line with identified individual and community needs

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

Take a sexual history

Explain concepts related to sexuality including

sexuality and the human sexual response

sexual behaviour

at risk sexual behaviour

sexual discrimination

Explain and demonstrate purpose and methods of contraception

Inform clients about STDs including history transmission prevention investigations management complications contact tracing and confidentiality

Explore reflect on and clarify personal experience and values in relation to sexuality

Make referrals at an appropriate time and to an appropriate person in relation to specific STDs

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

Sexual health issues may include:	Rape and sexual assault Domestic and family violence Child sexual abuse Relationships Sexual identities Homophobia Gender Power and discrimination Menopause Unplanned pregnancy Sexually transmitted infections Sexual behaviours Contraception Management of menstruation Sexual coercion Sexual health check ups Impotence

Risk factors for sexually transmitted infection include:	Number of sexual partners Unsafe sex practices Past history of sexually transmissible infections Alcohol or substance misuse Local disease prevalence Frequency of being named as sexual contact of an index case.

Common methods of birth control (and their advantages and disadvantages) include:	Oral contraceptive pill (reliable, safe, need to take daily) Condoms (reduced STI transmission, male responsibility, high failure rate) Withdrawal (male responsibility, high failure rate) Breast-feeding (high failure rate) Injectable or implantable hormonal contraception (highly reliable, low effort, delayed return of fertility, irregular menses) Post coital ('morning after') pill (nausea) Tubal ligation Vasectomy (reliable)