Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

HLTAHA014 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Assist and support the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency HLTAHA014 - Assist and support the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support clients who use total communication systems, including the preparation of resources.This unit applies to allied health assistants and should be performed under the direction and supervision (direct, indirect or remote) of an allied health professional.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

All aspects of the performance evidence must have been demonstrated using simulation prior to being demonstrated in a therapeutic workplace under the direction and supervision (direct, indirect, remote) as determined by the speech pathologist and/or occupational therapist.

The following conditions must be met for this unit:

use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including individualised plans and any relevant equipment outlined in the plan

modelling of industry operating conditions and contingencies, including provision of services to real people

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Elements define the essential outcomes
       
Element: Prepare for the development of augmentative and alternative communication systems
  • Obtain information about requirements from the speech pathologist
  • Confirm the communication goals with the speech pathologist
  • Determine need for interpreter
  • Confer with allied health professional about any ambiguities or requirements outside scope of role and responsibilities as defined by the organisation
       
Element: Assist in the development of augmentative and alternative communication systems
  • Confirm the nature of the communication system and implications for resource requirements with speech pathologist
  • Confirm client’s previous and current abilities with the speech pathologist to inform choice and presentation of resources
  • Select resources following speech pathologist’s directions
  • Consult with speech pathologist to ensure that resources are appropriate to the individual and their communication system, the type of therapy and the specified communication goals
  • Identify existing resources, adapt them and use them in an imaginative and flexible manner within the directions of the speech pathologist
  • Make resources as directed by speech pathologist
  • Ensure resources are not hazardous to the individual or others, and satisfy health and safety requirements
       
Element: Support the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems
  • Identify the type of communication system used by a client prior to making contact
  • Make appropriate power supply available
  • Prepare appropriate resources and equipment to facilitate communication via the communication system
  • Set out equipment and furniture for client comfort and optimum access to the communication system, in line with health and safety procedures and guidelines and according to the directions of the speech pathologist
  • Liaise with the speech pathologist and other relevant health professionals to assist the client to access the system in regard to physical comfort and any specific positioning and mobility requirements
  • Use appropriate mode of communication in communicating with the client
       
Element: Comply with supervisory requirements
  • Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority, skills and/or knowledge
  • Report client difficulties to the supervising allied health professional for advice before continuing the program
  • Participate in supervision processes with the treating allied health professional in accordance with organisational protocol
       
Element: Clean and store equipment
  • Clean any material and equipment according to manufacturers requirements
  • Store material and equipment according to manufacturers requirements and organisation protocols
  • Report equipment faults to appropriate person
       
Element: Document client information
  • Use accepted protocols to document information relating to the program to assist with the use of a communication system in line with organisation requirements
  • Use appropriate terminology in reporting
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for the development of augmentative and alternative communication systems

1.1 Obtain information about requirements from the speech pathologist

1.2 Confirm the communication goals with the speech pathologist

1.3 Determine need for interpreter

1.4 Confer with allied health professional about any ambiguities or requirements outside scope of role and responsibilities as defined by the organisation

2. Assist in the development of augmentative and alternative communication systems

2.1 Confirm the nature of the communication system and implications for resource requirements with speech pathologist

2.2 Confirm client’s previous and current abilities with the speech pathologist to inform choice and presentation of resources

2.3 Select resources following speech pathologist’s directions

2.4 Consult with speech pathologist to ensure that resources are appropriate to the individual and their communication system, the type of therapy and the specified communication goals

2.5 Identify existing resources, adapt them and use them in an imaginative and flexible manner within the directions of the speech pathologist

2.6 Make resources as directed by speech pathologist

2.7 Ensure resources are not hazardous to the individual or others, and satisfy health and safety requirements

3. Support the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems

3.1 Identify the type of communication system used by a client prior to making contact

3.2 Make appropriate power supply available

3.3 Prepare appropriate resources and equipment to facilitate communication via the communication system

3.4 Set out equipment and furniture for client comfort and optimum access to the communication system, in line with health and safety procedures and guidelines and according to the directions of the speech pathologist

3.5 Liaise with the speech pathologist and other relevant health professionals to assist the client to access the system in regard to physical comfort and any specific positioning and mobility requirements

3.6 Use appropriate mode of communication in communicating with the client

4. Comply with supervisory requirements

4.1 Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority, skills and/or knowledge

4.2 Report client difficulties to the supervising allied health professional for advice before continuing the program

4.3 Participate in supervision processes with the treating allied health professional in accordance with organisational protocol

5. Clean and store equipment

5.1 Clean any material and equipment according to manufacturers requirements

5.2 Store material and equipment according to manufacturers requirements and organisation protocols

5.3 Report equipment faults to appropriate person

6. Document client information

6.1 Use accepted protocols to document information relating to the program to assist with the use of a communication system in line with organisation requirements

6.2 Use appropriate terminology in reporting

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

provided therapeutic guidance for 3 clients in the use of communication systems under the direction of a speech pathologist, 1 in a simulated environment and 2 in the workplace, including:

positioning the client and managing the environment for optimum use of a communication system

designing and making communication systems to meet individual needs

performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 120 hours of work

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

communication needs of clients with congenital, developmental, acquired and progressive disabilities

augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and strategies available

criteria used in the selection and application of AAC devices for people with complex communication needs

work health and safety (WHS) policies and procedures that relate to the allied health assistant’s role in implementing speech therapy programs

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for the development of augmentative and alternative communication systems

1.1 Obtain information about requirements from the speech pathologist

1.2 Confirm the communication goals with the speech pathologist

1.3 Determine need for interpreter

1.4 Confer with allied health professional about any ambiguities or requirements outside scope of role and responsibilities as defined by the organisation

2. Assist in the development of augmentative and alternative communication systems

2.1 Confirm the nature of the communication system and implications for resource requirements with speech pathologist

2.2 Confirm client’s previous and current abilities with the speech pathologist to inform choice and presentation of resources

2.3 Select resources following speech pathologist’s directions

2.4 Consult with speech pathologist to ensure that resources are appropriate to the individual and their communication system, the type of therapy and the specified communication goals

2.5 Identify existing resources, adapt them and use them in an imaginative and flexible manner within the directions of the speech pathologist

2.6 Make resources as directed by speech pathologist

2.7 Ensure resources are not hazardous to the individual or others, and satisfy health and safety requirements

3. Support the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems

3.1 Identify the type of communication system used by a client prior to making contact

3.2 Make appropriate power supply available

3.3 Prepare appropriate resources and equipment to facilitate communication via the communication system

3.4 Set out equipment and furniture for client comfort and optimum access to the communication system, in line with health and safety procedures and guidelines and according to the directions of the speech pathologist

3.5 Liaise with the speech pathologist and other relevant health professionals to assist the client to access the system in regard to physical comfort and any specific positioning and mobility requirements

3.6 Use appropriate mode of communication in communicating with the client

4. Comply with supervisory requirements

4.1 Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority, skills and/or knowledge

4.2 Report client difficulties to the supervising allied health professional for advice before continuing the program

4.3 Participate in supervision processes with the treating allied health professional in accordance with organisational protocol

5. Clean and store equipment

5.1 Clean any material and equipment according to manufacturers requirements

5.2 Store material and equipment according to manufacturers requirements and organisation protocols

5.3 Report equipment faults to appropriate person

6. Document client information

6.1 Use accepted protocols to document information relating to the program to assist with the use of a communication system in line with organisation requirements

6.2 Use appropriate terminology in reporting

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
 
Obtain information about requirements from the speech pathologist 
Confirm the communication goals with the speech pathologist 
Determine need for interpreter 
Confer with allied health professional about any ambiguities or requirements outside scope of role and responsibilities as defined by the organisation 
Confirm the nature of the communication system and implications for resource requirements with speech pathologist 
Confirm client’s previous and current abilities with the speech pathologist to inform choice and presentation of resources 
Select resources following speech pathologist’s directions 
Consult with speech pathologist to ensure that resources are appropriate to the individual and their communication system, the type of therapy and the specified communication goals 
Identify existing resources, adapt them and use them in an imaginative and flexible manner within the directions of the speech pathologist 
Make resources as directed by speech pathologist 
Ensure resources are not hazardous to the individual or others, and satisfy health and safety requirements 
Identify the type of communication system used by a client prior to making contact 
Make appropriate power supply available 
Prepare appropriate resources and equipment to facilitate communication via the communication system 
Set out equipment and furniture for client comfort and optimum access to the communication system, in line with health and safety procedures and guidelines and according to the directions of the speech pathologist 
Liaise with the speech pathologist and other relevant health professionals to assist the client to access the system in regard to physical comfort and any specific positioning and mobility requirements 
Use appropriate mode of communication in communicating with the client 
Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority, skills and/or knowledge 
Report client difficulties to the supervising allied health professional for advice before continuing the program 
Participate in supervision processes with the treating allied health professional in accordance with organisational protocol 
Clean any material and equipment according to manufacturers requirements 
Store material and equipment according to manufacturers requirements and organisation protocols 
Report equipment faults to appropriate person 
Use accepted protocols to document information relating to the program to assist with the use of a communication system in line with organisation requirements 
Use appropriate terminology in reporting 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTAHA014 - Assist and support the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

HLTAHA014 - Assist and support the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: