Elements and Performance Criteria
- Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.
- The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element.
- Recognise the special needs of a person requiring a palliative approach to care.
- Apply principles of palliative care and the palliative approach in undertaking holistic assessment of the person.
- Apply knowledge of pathophysiological changes associated with a life-limiting illness and the needs of the person.
- Assess a person’s pain management, and implement strategies to address pain and any medication-induced constipation in consultation with registered nurse.
- Identify and respect the person’s needs in relation to their lifestyle, social context and emotional and spiritual choices, and document these in accordance with care plan.
- Identify and work within roles and responsibilities of the inter-disciplinary team when planning palliative care for the person.
- Apply in own practice an awareness of the psychosocial impact of palliative care on the person’s family or carer.
- Support person, family or carers using the palliative approach.
- Provide the person, family or carer with opportunities to discuss spiritual and cultural issues in an open and non-judgmental manner.
- Use effective communication techniques and access relevant support services to provide a supportive environment for the person, family or carer.
- Monitor the person’s condition and provide accurate and timely information on stages of dying to the person, family or carer, ensuring that information-provision respects their wishes.
- Identify and address legal and ethical implications of implementing advance care planning (ACP) and advance care directives (ACD).
- Identify and respond to signs of deterioration and the stages of dying.
- Apply knowledge of the physiology of dying in supporting the person, family or carer as they experience the person’s dying process.
- Identify signs of respiratory and swallowing difficulties and implement management strategies in accordance with ACP or ACD.
- Address malignant wound management in accordance with the unique needs of non-healing wounds of a deteriorating person.
- Identify and report signs of the person’s deterioration or imminent death in accordance with ACP or ACD.
- Support the dignity of the person when undertaking all care activities in their end-of-life stages as well as after their death.
- Identify and reflect on any ethical issues or concerns about the person, and discuss with an appropriate person according to organisation procedures.
- Care for the person’s body after death and provide support for the family and others.
- Apply knowledge of legislation to own role and responsibilities when a person dies.
- Provide care of a person’s body after death using standard precautions and in accordance with organisation policy and procedures.
- Ensure care of the person’s body is carried out with dignity and respect, and that the person’s individual customs, culture, religion, spiritual practices and choices are taken into account.
- Discuss support needs and resources including the accessibility and availability of resources with the family, carer or others requiring bereavement care.
- Provide emotional support to the person, family or carer in relation to grief, loss and bereavement.
- Provide for own self-care in palliative care role.
- Care for the person’s body after death and provide support for the family and others.
- Apply knowledge of legislation to own role and responsibilities when a person dies.
- Provide care of a person’s body after death using standard precautions and in accordance with organisation policy and procedures.
- Ensure care of the person’s body is carried out with dignity and respect, and that the person’s individual customs, culture, religion, spiritual practices and choices are taken into account.
- Discuss support needs and resources including the accessibility and availability of resources with the family, carer or others requiring bereavement care.
- Provide emotional support to the person, family or carer in relation to grief, loss and bereavement.