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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

The contribution of the different schools of thought and historical theories of a range of common complementary and alternative health care modalities

A range of common complementary and alternative health care modalities the effects on the person

Basic complementary and alternative health care terminology and pronunciation

Sociology of health and the health care system

Ethical issues in natural medicine

The current political context of health care

The dynamic interchange between the physical mental social environmental and spiritual landscape

The rationalistic analytical approach to an understanding of disease

The vitalistic empirical approach to health

The qualitative quantitative cultural and traditional lines of evidence used in a range of common complementary and alternative health care modalities

How a range of common complementary and alternative health care modalities works with the conventional medical model

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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 literacy and numeracy skills to read and understand a variety of texts and research articles

Apply planning skills to organise information plan and review practice skills

Use problem solving skills to deal with ambiguous information

Use oral and written communication skills to provide and elicit information effectively

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 for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit	The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace defined as a supervised clinic is essential for assessment of this unit 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 Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum age culture and gender Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context including interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioners workplace scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units holisticintegrated assessment including working within the practice framework performing a health assessment assessing the client planning treatment providing treatment

Access and equity considerations	All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities workers should be aware of cultural historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment	Resources essential for assessment include access to a variety of texts and resource material regarding aromatherapy practice

Method of assessment	Observation in the work place Demonstration Written assignmentsprojects Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of diagnostic technique and strategies to contribute to best practice Oral questioning Role play simulation Written assignment with practical demonstration Diagnosis from assessment notes or simulated assessments Short answer tests Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting If successful a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision

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.

Common complementary and alternative health modalitiesinclude:	Massage, remedial massage, shiatsu Acupuncture Traditional Chinese Medicine Western herbal medicine Naturopathy Nutritional medicine Homoeopathy Kinesiology Ayurvedic Yoga

Characteristics of these complementary health modalities may include:	Fundamental aromatherapy practices, in the form of applying essential oil preparations topically, in bath treatments and via inhalation, can be utilised: In the practice of remedial and other massage techniques, essential oils can be utilised: in combination with massage oils for use during massage treatments in the creation of topical preparations for use during treatment or for home use between visits In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, shiatsu and kinesiology, essential oils can be used: in the creation of a variety of topical preparations, bath preparations, etc., for use during treatment or for home use between visits By the application of essential oil preparations to acupressure/acupuncture points and/or meridians In naturopathic medicine, western herbal medicine, homeopathic medicine, nutritional medicine and ayurvedic medicine, essential oils and other aromatic extracts can be utilised as part of a treatment plan: in the creation of topical preparations, bath preparations, etc., for use during treatment or for home use between visits, where appropriate In yoga practice, essential oils and other aromatic extracts can be utilised as part of yoga practices: by diffusing essential oils into the room environment during yoga practice to enhance relaxation and breathing

Emerging and future characteristics may include:	The use of fundamental aromatherapy applications in new complementary health modalities, as for example, in Reiki practice The use of advanced essential oil applications (ingestive, vaginal, etc.), in conjunction with any complementary health modality where appropriate