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

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of workplace situations

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

Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application

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 must be undertaken by an assessor who has skills and knowledge to the standard required for recognition by an appropriate aromatherapy peak body

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 practitioner's workplace

scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units

holistic/integrated assessment including:

working within the practice framework

performing a health assessment

assessing the client

planning treatment

providing treatment

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 and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

Dispensing resources

Relevant texts or medical manuals

Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments

Appropriate assessment environment

Skilled assessors

Method of assessment

Observation in the work place

Written assignments/projects 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 (supervised student clinics). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision.

Explanations of technique

Related units:

This unit should be assessed after or in conjunction with the following related unit:

HLTIN504C Manage the control of infection

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

HLTARO607B Operate an aromatic medicine dispensary

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:

Hygiene standards

Aromatic medicine pharmacy

Therapeutic actions of a selected range of compounds found in essential oils and aromatic extracts

Factors that affect aromatic medicines in preparation and storage

Aromatic medicine preparation from source materials

Aromatic medicine dispensing principles and methods

The preparation of dispensing media

Internal preparations:

water-based preparations using dispersing agents

capsules

absorbent tablets

sublingual preparations

eye, ear, nose and throat preparations

inhalations

mixture with herbal tinctures

Chemical and physical incompatibilities

External therapy products:

both medicinal and domestic

baths, bath oils, creams, lotions, gels, sprays, irrigations, incenses, compresses, ointments, perfumes, poultices

Standards of dispensing procedures

Non-medicinal ingredients used in the preparation of aromatic medicines

Prescription of medicines:

legal restrictions

Therapeutic Goods Act

health and safety

labelling requirements

restricted substances

principles of manufacturing

quality control procedures

How the dispensing process affects the end product

Quality characteristics to be achieved

Process specifications, procedures and operating parameters

Equipment and instrumentation components, purpose and operation

continued ...

Essential knowledge (contd):

Significance and methods of monitoring control points within the dispensing process

Common causes of variation and corrective action required

OHS hazards and controls

Waste handling requirements and procedures

Recording requirements and procedures

Methods of administration for aromatic medicines

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 workplace information to identify requirements for the dispensing process

Confirm equipment status and condition

Confirm supply of necessary materials and services to the dispensing process

Correctly identify equipment and ingredients for aromatic medicine preparation and dispensing

Describe extraction methods of essential oils and aromatic extracts and compositional and therapeutic differences between methods.

Describe general plant anatomy

Describe plant classifications

Describe plant nomenclature

Dispense medicines in a range of dosages

Dispense medicines in accordance with official practice, clinic guidelines and relevant legislation

Dispense medicines in accordance with the order/prescription

Identify aromatic ingredients in raw form and/or natural habitat

Identify essential oils and aromatic extracts listed in the range of variables

Monitor the dispensing process and equipment operation to identify out-of-specification results or non-compliance
This may include:

labelling

stock flow/quantity

measuring devices

materials faults

equipment faults

service faults

clean and sanitise equipment

carry out routine maintenance

Prepare medicines for clients in pharmaceutical forms e.g. capsules, emulsions, creams, ointments, suppositories, etc

Take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results or non-compliance

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Use botanical keys for plants

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.

Common herbsmeans at least 45 essential oils/aromatic extracts which must include but are not limited to:

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Bergamot (Citrus aurantium var bergamia)

Cardamon (Elletaria cardomomum)

Carrot Seed (Daucus carota)

Atlas Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)

German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita CT bisabolol - steam distilled CO2 extract optional)

Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum cassia or zeylanicum)

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)

Clove Bud (Sygyzium aromaticum)

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Eucalyptus Australiana (Eucalyptus radiata ssp. radiata) OR

Eucalyptus Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) OR

Eucalyptus Blue Mallee (Eucalyptus polybractea)

Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var dulce)

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii Steam distilled (CO2 extract optional)

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Steam distilled CO2 extract optional)

Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis ssp communis)

Lavender species, including:

Lavandins (Lavandula intermedia various clones)

Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia)

True Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lemon (Citrus limon)

Lemongrass (Cympobogon flexuosus or citrates)

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)

Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

Continued

Common herbsmeans at least 45 essential oils/aromatic extracts which must include but are not limited to:

Melissa (Melissa officinalis)

Myrrh (Commiphora molmol)

Neroli (Citrus aurantium ssp amara)

True Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia CTI cineole) OR

Cajeput (Melaleuca cajeputi)

Nutme.g. (Myristica fragrans)

Bitter Orange (Citrus auranthium ssp auranthium) OR

Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

Oregano (Oreganum compactum or vulgare)

Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini var motia)

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Damask Rose (Rosa damascene)

Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) OR

Sweet Thyme (Thymus vulgaris CT linalool) OR

Ho Leaf (Cinnamomum camphora HO-SHO) OR

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis CT 1 camphor,

CT 2 cineole&CT 3 verbenone)

Wild Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sandalwood (Santalum album) OR

Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)

Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Spruce (Picea mariana) OR

Fir (Abies balsamica or siberica)

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Thyme Red (Thymus vulgaris CT thymol)

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides)

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata forma genuina)

Pharmaceutical ingredients and equipment may include but are not limited to:

Various essential oils and aromatic extracts

Dispersing agents for essential oils and aromatic extracts:

Vegetable oil

Empty capsules

Solid fats (such as cocoa butter or pharmaceutical products for making suppositories and pessaries)

Absorbent tablets

Suppository and pessary moulds

Clean containers

Measuring instruments: weighing scales, pipettes, beakers

Blender

Labels

Protective clothing

Guidelines and methodology refers to:

Published methodology in peer reviewed literature and/or official pharmacopœia where appropriate

Methodology as described in writing by the prescribing practitioner

Legal restrictions

Therapeutic Goods Act and regulations

Health and safety labelling requirements

Methodology specific to preparing aromatic medicines e.g. scheduled herbs, testing of aromatic medicines

Principles of manufacturing medicines

Dispensing ingredients and equipmentmay include but is not limited to:

Various essential oils and aromatic extracts

Measuring instruments

Containers

Scoops

Labels

Protective clothing

The form of the medicine may include but is not limited to:

Creams

Capsules

Emulsions

Ointments

Suppositories

Pessaries

Gels

Dispersing agents (for emulsifying essential oils and aromatic extracts in water)

Gargles

Eye, ear and nasal preparations

Medicated lozenges and honey for throat application

Care is taken to prevent contamination means:

One medicine is dispensed at one time

Medicines are made and prepared over an impervious surface

Objects that come in contact with the medicine are cleaned or discarded

Medicines which come in contact with contaminants are discarded

The work space is well ventilated

Direct contact between the practitioner and ingredients is avoided

Clinic guidelines may include:

OHS guidelines

Quality system guidelines

Dispensing procedure

Hygiene and waste guidelines

Stock and storage procedures

Instructions for taking the medicine refer to:

Mode of administration, e.g. external or internal

Frequency of administration

Factors which may interfere with the medicine, e.g. consumption of food, alcohol or tobacco concurrent use of allopathic medications

Need to report incidences to the prescribing practitioner

Acceptable sources includes:

Aromatic medicine/aromatherapy manufacturers licensed with the Therapeutic Goods Administration

Overseas manufacturers

Labelled correctly means:

According to legislative guidelines

According to clinic requirements

Factors which may have an effect on the storage may include:

Heat above 50(c

Prolonged exposure to heat over 30(C

Prolonged exposure to sunlight

Prolonged exposure to air

Workplace information may include:

Details of preparation and dispensing undertaken

Stock documentation

Details of person(s) conducting preparation and dispensing

Dispensing information for prescriptions