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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge
Elements and Performance Criteria
- Elements define the essential outcomes
- Identify and address State/Territory mental health legislation requirements.
- Respond appropriately to signs of mental illness.
- Contribute to care planning and conduct initial clinical observations for a person with a mental health condition.
- Contribute to the recovery of a person with a mental health condition.
- Plan, prioritise and implement nursing interventions in collaboration with the person, registered nurse interdisciplinary health care team, and where appropriate, with the person’s family or carer.
- Work in a manner that reflects respect for the person’s dignity and uniqueness, and use strategies to empower the person to contribute to their own plan of care.
- Assist the person, their family or carer to participate in appropriate therapeutic interventions.
- Confirm that the person understands the use, administration methods and possible effects of medications to be used including known specific adverse effects.
- Advise the person, or their family or carer, on relevant community resources and opportunities, adapting the advice to individuals as required.
- Support the person, as a valued member of the community to build on their own strengths and to take as much responsibility as possible for decisions that affect their lives.
- Identify and apply principles of contemporary, evidenced-based nursing practice that reflect recovery-oriented care for a person who has a mental health condition.
Performance Evidence
Knowledge Evidence
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
application of nursing theory to a mental health contextsocial, psychological, cognitive and physical factors associated with mental health conditionsconsumer and carer perspectives on mental health careimpact of stigma, discrimination, culture and belief systems on a person with a mental health conditioncommon mental health conditions by classification or disorder, and their treatment and management including:mood disorderspersonality disordersanxiety disorderspsychosesorganic disorderspanic disordersocial phobia and specific phobiasobsessive-compulsive disorderpost-traumatic stress disorderdepressionbipolar disordereating disordersborderline personality disorderschizophreniadementiadelirium anxiety disorderappropriate response to a person in distress or crisis including:applying appropriate communication skills with the personidentifying possible causal factors and addressing where possible enlisting support and assistance from colleagues common behaviours associated with a range of mental health conditions, and the effect of behaviours on the person and othershow to manage challenging behaviours including recognising triggers and deflecting them, using active listening and observation skills, ensuring effective communication and seeking expert assistancethe principles of recovery in the mental health context national framework for recovery-orientated mental health services (Australian Government):principles of recovery-oriented practiceevidence-based practice in the context of recoverykey features of the mental health legislation including:objectivesinvoluntary admissionconsumer rightsinvoluntary review processesseclusion and restraintadmission procedures community treatment ordersrole of the mental health practitionerconsentconfidentialitydefinition of key terms associated with mental illnessstrategies for managing oral health issues and possible causes such as the side effects of medication, poor nutrition and reduced motivation for self-care.