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

A minimum of major medicinal herbs as listed in the range statement

A range of alternative and complementary therapies

Common disease states and functional problems of each bodily system and the principles and practice of treating each systemcondition

Contraindications of treatment

Herbdrug interactions

How to correctly prepare and dispense herbal medicines

How to select best treatmentmedicine within best current practice

Knowledge and understanding of methods of preparing treatment and management plans

Knowledge and understanding of the less common herbal medicines used for each systemcondition including their active principles

Knowledge and understanding of the scheduled herbs including reasons for scheduling

Less common disease states and functional problems of particular groups in society with specific needs including but not limited to infants children adolescents elderly peri and post menopausal pregnant and lactating women

Less common disease states and functional problems of the reproductive system of women and men

Medical reports and diagnostic procedure

Pathogenesis of herbal medicines administered

Relevant reference works and information sources

Research issues and their uses

Research priorities

Statistical analysis

Supplementary measures in the management of the conditions eg dietary considerations and exercise

The correct preparations required for specific treatment

The possible responses to treatments

The principles of formulation including dosage and duration of treatment

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

Access and critically evaluate reference material on the effects of current conventional drug therapies and their withdrawal

Access and interpret uptodate information

Analyse a complex clinical problem utilising western herbal medicine model of clinical reasoning and utilising literature review techniques to understand the nature of the problem and its management

Appropriately record details of client enquiries according to clinic guidelines

Communicate information through written or verbal media

Correctly identify client information needs

Critically evaluate research

Demonstrate age appropriate communication skills in a onetoone and group setting

Discuss and demonstrate ability to determine level of concern in relation to risk of complications severity of disease process lifestyle factors and their impact on treatment strategies timeframe of treatment and other factors

Discuss and demonstrate ability to identify and effectively monitor high level of concern clients

Explain relevant services and case management program

Extrapolate case study information to new cases

Integrate knowledge of the historical theoretical and philosophical aspects of herbal medicine into clinical practice

Provide client with required information

Provide treatment appropriate to age and specific needs of clients

Use interpersonal and questioning skills

Work or model work which demonstrates an ability to apply the underpinning values and philosophies of herbal medicine within clinical practice

Write referrals appraisal letters for insurance companies and other documentation

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 a range of workplace situations

Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations

Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

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

Resources essential for assessment include

an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

relevant texts or medical manuals

relevant paperbasedvideo assessment instruments

appropriate assessment environment

skilled assessors

Method of assessment

Observation in the work place and practical demonstration

Written assignmentsprojects

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

Questioning

Role play simulation

Explanations of technique

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

Related units

This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency units

HLTCOMC Communicate effectively with clients

HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients

HLTHERC Prepare and dispense western herbal medicine

HLTHER606C Prepare and dispense western herbal medicine

HLTHERC Provide western herbal medicine treatment

HLTHER609C Provide western herbal medicine treatment

Knowledge ofherbal medicines means at least 130 herbs which must include but are not limited to:

130 herbs which must include but are not limited to Cont

130 herbs which must include but are not limited to (continued):t

Knowledge of herbal medicines must include a minimum of 3 herbs from each specific action category::

Knowledge of herbal medicines must include a minimum of 3 herbs from each specific action category Cont:

Specialised herbal medicine treatment includes:

Factors which interfere with the effectiveness of treatment may include:

Responses to reactions may include:

Consent for treatment refers to:

Response to enquiries may include:

The treatment plan may include:

Assessment of the case may include:

Life stages refers to: