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Elements and Performance Criteria

Assess the needs of those experiencing loss and grief
Plan management of clients and significant others experiencing loss and grief
Implement strategies to manage the grief of clients and significant others
Develop and implement strategies to manage own stress
Provide support for peers and colleagues
- Recognise symptoms of stress and professional carer burnout in peers and colleagues
- Implement appropriate support and safety and welfare measures for peers and colleagues

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

Cultural and spiritual beliefs

Ethical and legal dimensions

Health terminology

Manifestations of loss and grief and the effect on health care clients their family and friends

Regulations and legislation

Self and colleague care

Social and community support systems

Symptoms of professional carer burnout

Theoretical frameworks

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 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

NBSA Standard on Therapeutic Relationships and Professional Boundaries

NBSA Standard on authorisation for an EnrolledDivision Nurse to practise without the supervision of a Registered Nurse

Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act

Guardianship and Administration Act

Powers of Attorney and Agency Act

Apply advanced communication skills

Apply counselling skills

Apply knowledge of various models of grief in practice

Assess a client at risk of a complicated grief reaction

Formulate a strategy to care for the safety of a client at risk of a complicated grief reaction

Formulate strategies for communicating with and caring for clients experiencing grief

Formulate strategies to reduce occupational stress

Locate and utilise resources related to loss and grief

Respond appropriately to a range of clients in a range of loss and grief contexts

Work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team

Work within a reflective practice and problem solving framework

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 a work context is preferred 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 nurse

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 clients and communities

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.

Clients may include	Children Adolescents Adult Older adult Professional colleagues Client family members Client friends Client carers Professional peers and colleagues

Age and gender considerations could include	Maturation and psychlogical development Self esteem Gender specific coping strategies

Health care settings may include	Acute Chronic Rehabilitation Aged care Respite Mental health Community Clinic Prison

Health considerations could include	Physical health Psychological health

Cultural considerations could include	Religious beliefs Cultural beliefs and practices ( including non ethnic definitions of culture) Views on loss and grief Culturally appropriate nursing actions Need for interpreter/support services