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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

1. Elements define the essential outcomes.
2. The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the Element.
3. Assess needs of clients who are nicotine dependent
   • Obtain client history to determine smoking habits in accordance with organisation policy and procedure
   • Assess nicotine dependence using a validated method
   • Determine smoking cessation treatment based on assessment of client’s level of nicotine dependence, stage of change, client history and personal circumstances and background
   • Maintain client records professionally and accurately
   • Maintain client confidentiality in all interactions
4. Implement interventions
   • Match intervention to client’s personal circumstances and preferences, including relevant health issues, level of dependence and behavioural triggers
   • Conduct brief intervention with client according to client needs
   • Use motivational interviewing techniques to increase client’s motivation to quit
   • Provide intensive counselling according to client’s individual needs, circumstances and background
   • Identify clients requiring referral to other health professional or agency and action
5. Assist clients in accessing pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation
   • Provide client with information about pharmacotherapies, their benefits and contraindications
   • Determine suitability of pharmacotherapies for client
   • Provide referral to a medical practitioner for pharmacotherapies
   • Determine options for optimal combination of smoking cessation therapies with client
6. Monitor client’s progress
   • Arrange and conduct client follow-up
   • Assess client’s progress against goals set and interventions conducted and then provide feedback
   • Assess risk of relapse
   • Provide behavioural interventions and/or pharmacological advice
   • Identify clients requiring referral to other health professional or agency and action
7. Ensure high standards of professionalism and continuing professional development
   • Maintain knowledge of smoking cessation therapies
   • Undertake assessment of work to identify opportunities for improvement and/or development
   • Research developments in smoking cessation practices and apply to improve own practice
   • Maintain ongoing personal professional development and training in smoking cessation
8. Monitor client’s progress
   • Arrange and conduct client follow-up
   • Assess client’s progress against goals set and interventions conducted and then provide feedback
   • Assess risk of relapse
   • Provide behavioural interventions and/or pharmacological advice
   • Identify clients requiring referral to other health professional or agency and action

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be demonstrated evidence that the candidate has:

followed correct procedures to provide a range of interventions to at least 3 clients who are nicotine dependent including:

assessing clients nicotine dependence

identifying appropriate intervention for each client

monitoring client progress and providing additional support or referrals.

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

smoking cessation interventions

principles and techniques of brief intervention

contraindications associated with use of nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), including recent cardiac events, unstable angina and pregnancy

evidence-based key strategies for smoking cessation

evidence-based aspects of dosage and duration of use of NRT

intensive counselling techniques suitable for smoking cessation interventions

interaction of nicotine with various medications

interaction of NRT with medications and other drugs, including caffeine, alcohol and insulin

internationally accepted definitions of nicotine dependence

validated nicotine dependence screening methods

motivational interviewing techniques

physiological links between mental illness and nicotine dependence

process of neuro-adaptation to nicotine

processes of titration of nicotine dose and smoker compensation practices

types and use of non-prescription (including NRT) and prescription-only pharmacotherapies

organisation standards, policies and procedures.

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