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 range of alternative and complementary therapies

Ethical issues in natural medicine

How naturopathy works with the conventional medical model

OHS requirements in the workplace

Philosophical tradition of sciencewestern medicine

Sociology of health and the health care system

The current political context of health care

The dynamic interchange between the physical mental social environmental and spiritual landscape

The naturopathic integration of these approaches to health

The philosophies principles and tools of naturopathic practice

The philosophy principles and practices of other alternative and complementary therapies including homeopathy herbal medicine nutrition and bodywork

The principles of naturopathic practice vis medicatrix naturae the healing power of nature tolle causam identify and treat the cause docere doctor as teacher treat the whole person prevention

The qualitative quantitative cultural and traditional lines of evidence used in naturopathy

The rationalistic analytical approach to an understanding of disease

The vitalistic empirical approach to health

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

Appropriately record details of client enquiries according to clinic guidelines

Correctly identify client information needs

Demonstrate communication skills in a onetoone and group setting

Explain relevant products and services

Provide client with required information

Work or model work which demonstrates an understanding of underpinning values and philosophies in the naturopathy framework

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

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

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

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

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

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

Written assignmentsprojects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge

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

Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting If successful a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision

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

Definition of naturopathy is:

Central philosophies of naturopathy are:

Major methods of treatment include:

Other complementary therapies may include:

Traditionally used methods of healing include:

Appropriate assessment techniques may include:

Other healing systems may include:

Information on other complementary therapies may include:

Relationship between therapies may include:

Enquiries may require explanation of:

Appropriate information may include:

Clinic's guidelines may include:

Legal and regulatory guidelines may include:

Relevant documentation may include: