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

Actions therapeutic and adverse effects of mental health pharmacology

Admission and transfer between health care environments

Consumer rights and responsibilities

Critical thinking and problem solving

Cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices

Culturally appropriate health promotion activities for consumers with mental health problems

Diagnostic tests and their meanings

Emergency and first aid management

Ethical issues associated with the use of antipsychotic medications

Evidence based practice

Factors influencing growth and development

Factors influencing self esteem

Health illness continuum

Legal standards for practice

Legislation related to mental health care practice including

Mental Health Act

occupational health and safety legislation

Medical terminology

Organisation policy and procedure

Participating as a member of the health care team

Philosophy underpinning mental health care

Principles of mental health assessment

Reflective practice

Research strategies and methodologies

Risk assessment

Specialised knowledge and depth of anatomy physiology and pathophysiology of mental health problems

Specialised knowledge in the antecedents and clinical manifestations of mental health disorders

Specialised knowledge of classification systems for mental health disorders including DSM IV and ICD

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

Apply clinical nursing skills including

fundamental and complex nursing interventions

physical and mental assessment

neurological function

specimen collection

medication administration as per jurisdictional and legal requirements

emergency Medications

Assessment observation and documentation of

physical assessment

psychiatric assessment

mental state assessment

mini mental state assessment

assessment of suicidal patients

risk assessment

aggression assessment

assessment of alcohol and drug use

coping skills

change to sleep and concentration patterns

Apply professional standards of practice

ANMC code of conduct

ANMC code of ethics

ANMC national EnrolledDivision nurse competency standards

stateterritory Nurse Regulatory Nurses Act

stateterritory Nursing and Midwifery Regulatory Authority standards of practice

scope of nursing practice decision making framework

National Mental Health Strategy

Apply principles of documentation

Apply principles of rehabilitation

Demonstrate accountability for personal outputs and broad consumer group outcomes

Maintain evidence based practice in line with current literature and work of professional bodies associated with mental health consumers

Recognise and address

needs of consumer and significant others in relation to grief and loss

religious and cultural needs of consumer and significant others

continued

Essential skills contd

Use appropriate communication skills nonverbal openness sensitivity nonjudgmental attitudes

oral communication skills language competence required to fulfil job roles as specified by the organisationservice including interviewing techniques asking questions active listening asking for clarification

written communication skills literacy competence required to fulfil job roles as specified by organisationservice ranging from reading and understanding consumer documentation to completion of written reports

Use interpersonal skills to work with others use sensitivity when dealing with people and relate to persons from differing cultural social and religious backgrounds

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 a work context is essential for assessment of this unit

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered mental health nurse

Observations must include

knowledge of mental health disorders

principles of mental health assessment including risk assessment

nursing management of mental health disorders specific medications and interventions within the defined scope of practice

communication skills

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions prior to assessment in the workplace

Where for reasons of safety access to equipment and resources and space assessment takes place away from the workplace simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Method of assessment

Observation in the work place

Written assignmentsprojects

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice

Questioning verbal and writing

Role playsimulation

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 consumers and communities

Multidisciplinary health care team members could include:

Health care settings could include:

Assessment of impact of mental health problems may include:

Socially related adjustments and transitions may include:

Plans of care may include:

Legal and ethical issues include:

Specific nursing interventions/clinical skills could include:

Evaluation of planned care includes: