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 of assessment:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

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

Conditions of assessment:

This unit includes skills and knowledge specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture

Assessment must therefore be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in the unit of competency or who has the current qualification being assessed and who is:

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander him/herself

or:

accompanied and advised by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care

Context of assessment:

Competence should be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a primary health care team working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

Related units:

This unit may be assessed independently or in conjunction with other units with associated workplace application

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:

Relevant policies, protocols and procedures of the organisation

Health programs relevant to the area/region/community

Management of common existing and potential health problems for the community

Effective strategies to monitor and manage identified health problems in line with community needs and sensitivities

Good knowledge of a range of relevant conditions, diseases and disorders, including:

prevalent health issues.

child and youth health issues

sexual and reproductive health problems for males and females

sexually transmissible infections

substance misuse

rape, family violence and sexual abuse

Familiarity with basic pathophysiology, disease patterns and management priorities for a range of diseases common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, such as:

cardiovascular disease

diabetes mellitus

chronic renal disease

chronic liver disease

chronic obstructive lung disease

major types of chronic physical, psychiatric and mental disability

oral diseases, including dental caries

Physiological and related changes associated with aging, how they manifest physically and likely impact on clients

Developmental milestones, significant health problems and immunisation policies/procedures pertaining to children in the local area/region

Adult learning principles and practices

Methods of evaluating health programs and providing feedback to health service management and the community in line with organisation and community requirements

Occupational health and safety practices and procedures relevant to the work (eg. manual handling)

How to contact and access available health and support services in the region

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Plan, develop and evaluate primary health care programs for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities over the range of health program services provided in line with community needs and workplace requirements

In addition, the candidate must be able 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:

Explain and describe procedures and illnesses/disorders to clients using clear, simple language

Apply literacy and numeracy skills to read and write reports, interpret simple statistics, charts and test results, write letters and maintain client records

Work with groups in the community to seek input and feedback on health services

Use computer-based and/or paper-based client record systems

Observe, obtain and interpret client information in relation to health issues, behaviour and health services

Communicate with clients, colleagues, community members and other agencies and to negotiate with them as required

Reflect on and improve own level and application of skills and knowledge to achieve desirable outcomes and maintain own capabilities

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.

Cultural respect

This competency standard supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

It recognises that the improvement of the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social well being, community capacity and governance

Its application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices

Community control

Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of health work, and the role of the health worker is to support the community in this process

Supervision

Supervision must be conducted in accordance with prevailing state/territory and organisation legislative and regulatory requirements

References to supervision may include either direct or indirect supervision of work by more experienced workers, supervisors, managers or other health professionals

A person at this level should only be required to make decisions about clients within the organisation's standard treatment protocols and associated guidelines

Legislative requirements

Federal, state or territory legislation may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities. Implementation of the competency standards should reflect the legislative framework in which a health worker operates. It is recognised that this may sometimes reduce the application of the Range of Variables in practice. However, assessment in the workplace or through simulation should address all essential skills and knowledge across the Range of Variables

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers may be required to operate in situations that do not constitute 'usual practice' due to lack of resources, remote locations and community needs. As a result, they may need to possess more competencies than described by 'usual practice circumstances'

Under all circumstances, the employer must enable the worker to function within the prevailing legislative framework

Health programs may include:

Screening activities relevant to community and regional needs

Health promotion

Health education and information sessions

Research activities

Ongoing follow-up

Working with individuals and/or groups in line with community needs

Working independently, as an organisation and/or as part of multi-disciplinary teams with other health professionals.