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

Anatomical terminology and levels of organisation

Anatomy and physiology according to various stages of life

Biochemistry

Clinical features and pathophysiology of common bacterial and viral diseases to assess stage severity and likely prognosis

Critical information required for diagnosis and treatment according to nutritional medicine framework

Ethical and legal implications of enquiry

Factors affecting transmission of disease and choice of treatments of common infectious diseases

Identification of infectious organism indications complications epidemiology occurrence mode of transmission vectors incubation period period of communicability presentation diagnosis treatment management and prevention

Knowledge and understanding of

anatomical systems including muscoskeletal including muscles bones cartilage joints head upper trunk upper limb pelvis lower limb

cardiovascular including haemopoetic including vascular system spleen heart and pericardium systemic arteries systemic veins portal veins foetal circulation

ENT and special senses including hearing and equilibration vision smell taste

gastrointestinal including mouth salivary glands tongue pharynx oesophagus abdomen and peritoneum stomach small intestine large intestine liver biliary system pancreas

lymphatic including thoracic viscera abdominal and pelvic viscera alimentary tract urinary and genital systems trunk and limbs deep and superficial lymph nodes

nervous including peripheral autonomic and central nervous systems

respiratory including larynx trachea lungs and mediastinum pleura

urogenital reproductive and urinary and endocrine including kidneys ureter and bladder male genital organs female genital organs thyroid parathyroid glands pituitary gland adrenal gland thymus gland

continued

Essential knowledge contd

Pathophysiology and disease processes of common clinical diseases and interactivity between them to the level necessary to support the making of a screening assessment and assessment of the clients condition to support the practice of naturaltraditional medicine

Pathophysiology and disease processes affecting the nervous system

cardiovascular system blood clotting erythropoietin cardiac cycle

central and peripheral nervous tissue brain spinal cord and associated nerves sensory motor and integrative systems autonomic nervous system

endocrine system thyroid parathyroid and adrenal glands pancreas calcium and bone metabolism pituitary gland pineal gland

ENT and special senses vision hearing smell taste

lymphatic system immunity allergy

respiratory system pulmonary function gas transport regulation of respiration respiratory adjustments

urogenital system renal function fluid balance male and female reproductive systems musculoskeletal system processes affecting joints muscles tendons ligaments and bones

Philosophical approach to diagnosis and treatment

Physiology including

basic physiology including physiology of muskoskeletal system muscles posture and movement nervous system central peripheral and automatic nervous systems

cardiovascular system heart circulation

ENT and other senses hearing and equilibration vision smell taste

gastrointestinal motility secretions movement of food digestion and absorption

general physiology including cell structure and function metabolism levels of organisation in the body

lymphatic system lymph immunity and allergy

respiratory system pulmonary function

urogenital and endocrine renal function micturition extracellular fluid metabolism thyroid gland hormones and reproduction

Physical signs and symptoms of wellbeing and disease

Relevant testing and assessment options and procedures

Symptomology and pathology according to nutritional medicine practice

Terminology correct to discipline

The cost benefit ratio of special tests or studies

The legal and ethical requirements for confidentiality

Time management requirements during consultation

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 interpret uptodate information

Apply methods of keeping medical records

Communicate effectively to gain required information

Conduct external physical examination

Demonstrate communication skills including the ability to communicate with a range of people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

Demonstrate observation skills

Demonstrate physical examination procedures

Demonstrate record keeping skills

Demonstrate respect for practitionerclient boundaries

Detect and record symptoms and signs present including precipitating factors relieving factors and associated manifestations

Determine the scope of the assessment and client needs

Identify location stage and characteristics of disease

Make a comprehensive assessment of the client as relevant to nutritional medicine in practice

Manage the health assessment of the client as relevant to nutritional medicine practice

Obtain and record an accurate history of the client

Understand and discuss medical reports

Use a range of medical equipment used in external physical examinations

Use equipment and technology competently and safely

Use terminology correct to discipline

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

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

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 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

Resources essential for assessment include

an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

skilled assessors

nutritional value tables for Australian foods andor suitable dietary software

relevant manuals texts journals

appropriate assessment environment

Method of assessment

Observation of performance in the workplace

Examples of assessment notes

Written assignments client treatment logbooks and short answer tests

Practical demonstrations and exercises

Research work or written reports of observations in a practical setting

Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy

Role play simulation

Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice in the work environment

Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting laboratory 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

Related units

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

HLTCOMC Communicate effectively with clients

HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients

HLTINC Manage the control of infection

HLTIN504C Manage the control of infection

HLTNUTB Apply a nutritional medicine diagnostic framework

HLTNUT403B Apply a nutritional medicine diagnostic framework

HLTNUTB Manage work within a nutritional medicine framework

HLTNUT604B Manage work within a nutritional medicine framework

Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:

Other health care providers may include:

Client history may include:

Potential sensitivities may include:

Signs of disease/condition may refer to:

Other appropriate assessment techniques may include: