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

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:

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Resources essential for assessment include:

an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

relevant texts or medical manuals

relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments

appropriate assessment environment

skilled assessors

Method of assessment

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.

Explanations of technique

Observation in the work place

Practical demonstration

Questioning and discussion

Role play simulation

Written assignments/projects

Related units:

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

HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients

HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health

HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures

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:

Appropriate dietary treatment of common illnesses and diseases

Assessing the outcomes of panchakarma

Ayurvedic diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome, postnatal depression, cancer, aids, alzheimer's, psoriasis, eczema, gout, rhematism etc

Basic knowledge of ingestive medicine- ayurvedic/western herbal/mineral remedies; nutritional therapy; T.G.A. and poisons regulations

Drug interactions

Five forms of kapha (water) - tarpaka, avalambaka, kledaka, bodhaka, sleshaka

Five forms of pitta (fire) -sadhaka, bhrajaka, pachaka, alochaka, ranjaka

Five forms of vata (air) -prana, udana, samana,Vyana, apana

Gastro-intestinal disorders spleen/pancreatic disorders, congestive disorders (eg. Colds, flu, fluid retention etc.), endocrinological disorders, blood circulatory conditions, lymphatic conditions, dermatological conditions, ENT Disorders, urinary system, male reproductive system, female gynaecological system, knowledge of category c disorders, locomotor disorders, cardio-vascular disorders, gerontological disorders, neurological disorders (inc. Brain), psychological disorders, skeletal disorders, muscular disorders.

Gross channels (srotas) - 3 nutrient channels (breath, food, water), 7 tissue channels (plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow, reproductive), 3 excretory channels ( sweat, faeces, urine), 2 female channels (menstrual flow, lactation), 1 mind channel

How to correctly prepare and dispense remedies/treatments

How to select best remedies/treatments within best current practice

Jatharagni, bhutaagni, dhatuagni, Immune essence (ojas), twenty attributes (gunas)

Knowledge and understanding of components of food and food/dietary supplements

Knowledge and understanding of methods of preparing treatment and management plans

Medical reports and diagnostic procedures

Panchakarma programmes, ayurvedic nutrition, ayurvedic massage, ayurvedic counselling, ayurvedic psychology and spirituality

Pathogenesis of the remedies/treatments administered

Supplementary measures in the management of the conditions (dietary considerations, exercise)

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Essential knowledge (contd):

The active principles of the main treatments used for each system/condition

The correct preparations required for specific treatment

The principles of formulation (including dosage and duration of treatment)

The principles of meditation and the means of accessing a teacher

The process of digestion, absorption and metabolism

The role of nutrition in health and ability to determine the nutritional and dietary needs of a client

The therapeutic use of yoga postures, breathing techniques and relaxation therapies

Tridoshas

Types of diets (ominvore, vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, vegan, fruitarian, zen macrobiotic)

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 and interpret up-to-date information

Access reference material on the effects of current conventional drug therapies and their withdrawal

Apply methods of treating and managing disease processes of each system using treatments

Appropriately prepare the client for treatment

Complete documentation of all recommendations and client responses

Demonstrate application of commonly used treatment practices

Incorporate the philosophies and beliefs of the practice of ayurveda

Prepare as a practitioner including physical hygiene and mental state

Prepare client including appropriate physical positioning of client's body, suitable draping techniques, procedural explanation and preparation of equipment

Provide the safest, most efficacious and cost effective treatment method

Provide treatment in accordance with the individual, condition and presence of complicating factors.

Provide treatment in accordance with the treatment plan

Review treatment plans

Treat a range of conditions/disease states

Use counselling within ayurvedic consultation as an aid to treatment

Use interpersonal and questioning skills

Write referrals, appraisal letters for insurance companies and other documentation

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 which interfere with the effectiveness of treatment may include:

Client's physical and psychological readiness and/or wellness

Contra-indications to treatment

Cultural factors

Other medical treatment being undertaken

Post treatment activity

Mode of administration may be:

Inhalation

Oral

Topical

Responses to reactions may include:

Accessing local emergency services

Adherence to clinic guidelines for response to accidents and emergencies

Adjusting treatment accordingly

Discussing reaction with the client

Seeking appropriate expertise

Use of first aid procedures according to a St Johns, Australian Red Cross or other appropriate First Aid training

Consent for treatment refers to:

Informed consent according to the local and national regulations and legal guidelines

Treatments/remedies may include:

Advice on lifestyle

Recommendation of yoga practices

Ayurvedic massage

Purvkarma procedures - including:

snehana

swedana (nadi swedana - localized herbalised steam application and bashpa swedana- full body herbalised steam application).

shirodhara - slow and disciplined pouring of specialised herbalised on marma points on the client's forehead in a specified sequence

preparation of various herbalised oils

kati basti - localized heated oil application

Panchkarma (basic)- including:

vamana - therapeutic emesis

nasya - therapeutic cleansing of the head region

virechana

pishinchhali

pinda swedana

Panchakarma (advanced):

basti - therapeutic purification and rejuvenation of colon

nirooha basti - cleansing basti

anuvasan basti - nourishing basti

Pashatkarma procedures - including:

samsarajana karma

dincharaya and graduated life style

rasayana

oil application (shirodhaha, abhyanga)

marmapressure

provision of ingestive formulas

panchkarma

olfaction and sweating (snehana&svedhana)

dietary advice

Yoga therapy

Regulations may include:

Clinic or professional practice guidelines

Hygiene and infection control regulations

OHS regulations

Advise and resource the client refers to:

Advising client of suggested resources

Availability of products required or suggested for treatment

Providing advice regarding self-care

Providing details which help to fully inform client/client of relevant information

Providing referrals to other health professionals

Providing relevant literature or information materials

Referring client to other information sources

Practical techniques that promote and maintain optimal health may include:

Advice on lifestyle modifications

Ayurvedic nutritional advice

Counselling on behavioural change

Exercise suggestions

Stress management/relaxation techniques