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:

Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit

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

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

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

documented process to enable the access and interpretation of up-to-date information

relevant assessment instruments

appropriate assessment environment

skilled assessors

Method of assessment

Observation in the workplace (if possible)

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 (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision.

Explanations of technique

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 practices to ensure efficient use of power and other resources

Business systems

Clinic practices and procedures

Financial recording systems

Forms and administrative systems

Legal rights and responsibilities

Operational factors relating to the business (provision of professional services, products)

Planning and control systems (sales, advertising and promotion, distribution and logistics)

Record keeping duties

Services available and charges

Stock control methods and procedures

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:

Accurately record financial transactions

Apply time management skills

Establish and maintain administrative systems

Follow clinic practice guidelines

Give and receive communication messages

Maintain payroll records

Promote, implement and manage work attitudes and practices that reflect awareness of the importance of a range of aspects of sustainability

Securely manage monies

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.

Routine tasks may include:

Maintaining information systems

Maintaining stock and resources

Performing financial activities

Providing practice communications

In accordance with requirements for the scale of the operation policies and procedures may include:

Communication procedures

Documentation procedures

Emergency procedures

Financial procedures

Human resources policies

Policy and procedure guidelines developed and/or provided by industry associations

Security procedures

Stock control procedures

Treatment protocols

Resources may include:

Administrative equipment and materials

Communications equipment

Marketing materials

Physical environment

Practice/medical equipment

Financial documentation may include:

NB These will vary in complexity according to the scale of the business and the level of support employed from accountants and financial consultants.

Asset registers

Banking documentation

Costing procedures

Credit transactions

Creditors and debtors systems

Draft financial forecasts/budgets

Payroll records

Petty cash

Stock records

Financial reports may include:

NB These will vary in complexity according to the scale of the business and the level of support employed from accountants and financial consultants

Budget reports

Cash flow forecasts

Detailed ledger accounts

Profit and loss statements

Reconciliations

Taxation documentation

Operational strategies may include:

Daily operation procedures

Environmental strategies

Management and administrative systems and procedures

Marketing approaches

Office systems

Staffing procedures

Marketing strategies may include:

Advertising

Development of marketing/promotional materials

Pricing strategies

Promotional and public relations activities

Publicity and media relations

Stock may include:

Information materials provided to clients

Materials and equipment required to prepare and dispense medicines

Materials and equipment used in the treatment of clients

Medicinal preparations provided to clients

Other promotional materials

Stationery and administrative supplies

Statutory and regulatory requirements may include local, state and national legislation and regulations affecting business operations such as:

Anti-competition/monopoly and consumer-based legislation

Anti-discrimination Act

Business registration

Codes of practice standards

Equal Employment Opportunities Act

Fire, occupational and environmental legislation

Planning and other permissions

Taxation, copyright and trademark regulations

Therapeutic Goods Act

Human resource strategies may include:

NB These will vary in detail according to number of personnel involved either as practitioner partners or employees

Implementation of statutory requirements

Performance management strategies

Personnel documentation

Planning and facilitation of meetings

Recruitment, policies and procedures

Support networks

Time and stress management

Training and assessment

Workplace communications

Workplace health and safety

Employee records may include:

Employee records (including tax file number, remuneration, leave and training records, records of disciplinary action, time and wages sheets)

Job/position descriptions

OHS records

Records of taxation and superannuation payments made

Relevant awards and/or industrial agreements

Manage diversity involves:

Valuing and utilising the different skills, backgrounds and capabilities of self and staff and developing strategies to encourage and enable their effective integration into the business. Diversity may include for example:

Competencies

Culture

Education

Gender

Language

Network of contact

Work history

Work preference