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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

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

Advanced assessment procedures and options allowing complex regional assessments

Atheroma formation and oedema and their effects within the human body

Awareness of critical information required for assessment and treatment according to massage therapy framework

Best practice massage therapy principles

Bioenergetic concepts and the cardiorespiratory concepts in relation to exercise

Digestive integumentary nervous urinary endocrine and reproductive systems

Disease causation acute and chronic inflammatory processes wound healing and haemorrhage processes

Environmental physiology and the effects of drugs on the individual

Ethical and legal implications of enquiry

Further testing procedures

History philosophy and beliefs of massage therapy within a health framework

Indications possible reactions and contraindications to treatment

Infectious and immunity process

Main paths of the human respiratory and cardiovascular systems and their physiology

Neoplasms and pathological skin conditions

Normotensive and hypertensive characteristics

Pain and chronic pain syndromes

Physical signs and symptoms of disease

Structure and function of anatomical systems appropriate to massage therapy and the scope of practice

Structure and function of cells tissues blood and organs

Structure and function of skeletal muscular cardiovascular and lymphatic systems

Symptomatology and pathology

Technical and practical knowledge of treatment

Temperature control homeostasis feedback mechanisms neurological psychological and psychogenic foundations and issues

Terminology correct to epidemiology and massage practice

The pathological process of thrombosis and embolism

Essential knowledge Cont

The effects of hormones on the body

The processes of ageing

The processes of biological maturation

The situation and referral patterns of trigger points

The structure and function of the articular system ie classification of joints and types and ranges of motion

The structure and function of the immune system

Understanding of physiology and anatomy according to massage therapy

Understanding of the fundamental principles of biomechanics and functional anatomy

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

Communicate effectively with clientother health practitioners

Comprehend common medical terminology

Demonstrate communication skills

Demonstrate observation skills

Demonstrate record keeping skills

Demonstrate skills in applying advanced assessment techniques

Discuss and observe treatment protocols

Gather and interpret information through the tactile senses

Identify prominent bonesstructure and phasic and postural muscles

Manage time throughout consultation and treatment

Observe and identify variations of posture

Palpate prominent bonesstructure and phasic and postural muscles

Perform testing and assessment procedures

Read medical reports

Read medical test results or documents

Recognise and adjust to contraindications for treatment

Transcribe assessment findings and treatment in a client history using accepted medical terminology

Use equipment and resources competently and safely

Use terminology correct to epidemiology and massage practice

Write referrals appraisal letters for insurance companies and other documentation

Evidence Required



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 assessment instruments Appropriate assessment environment Skilled assessors

Method of assessment	Observation in the workplace 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 laboratory If successful a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision 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 Examples of assessment notes Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy

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 HLTHIRB Communicate and work effectively in health HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health HLTINC Comply with infection control policies and procedures HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures

Range Statement



The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:	Language difficulties Disabilities Emotional trauma Lack of privacy or focus due to additional parties being present Cultural or gender factors

Other health care professional may include:	Podiatrists Osteopaths Energy therapists Physiotherapists Chiropractors Medical practitioners Registered nurses Social workers Alternative health practitioners Counsellors Other allied health care professionals

Client history may include:	Date of presentation Identifying personal details Source of referral (if applicable) Main presenting complaint or reason for massage Presenting symptom picture General state of health physical emotional allergies dietary picture sleep pattern exercise leisure activities Childhood and adult illness Accidents, injuries, operations Hospitalisations Occupational history and environment Other current medical/alternative health care treatment Medication, supplements and natural prescriptions - current and previous Previous occurrence of presenting complaint Social lifestyle including social drug usage Family history

Potential sensitivities may include:	Gender Ethnicity Language Religious beliefs Cultural heritage Sexuality Ability Presenting disease state and personal history

Physical assessment will include attention to:	Active movements Passive movements Resisted movements Functional movements Palpatory findings Swelling Instability Parasthesia Characteristics of pain

Established assessment procedures may include:	Observation Discussion Temperature Pulse Palpation Percussion Range of motion tests Muscle strength tests Orthopaedic tests Observation of variations of posture Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard Procedure which is conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements

Contra-indications to treatment may include:	Remedial massage therapists are not expected to diagnose any conditions but must be able to recognise the indications and contra-indications of conditions Massage is contra-indicated in all infectious diseases suggested by fever, nausea and lethargy until a diagnosis is received and recommended by a medical practitioner referral for diagnosis when symptoms do not have a logical explanation. Indications for referral include: pain-local, sharp, dull, achy, deep, surface fatigue inflammation lumps and tissue changes rashes and changes in the skin oedema mood alterations, eg depression, anxiety infection changes in habits such as appetite elimination or sleep bleeding and bruising nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea temperature - hot or cold Endangerment sites are areas where nerves and blood vessels lie close to the skin and are not well protected anterior triangle of the neck posterior triangle of the neck axillary area medial epicondyle lateral epicondyle area of the sternal notch and anterior throat umbilicus area twelfth rib dorsal body sciatic notch inguinal triangle popliteal fossa