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)

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

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

Relevant texts or medical manuals

Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments

Appropriate assessment environment

Demonstration model/client

Method of assessment

Observation in the workplace

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

Explanations of technique

Oral questioning and discussion

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

Related units:

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

HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients

HLTFA301C Apply first aid

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:

Advanced assessment procedures and options allowing complex regional assessments

Best practice massage therapy principles

Classification of joints and types and ranges of motion

Ethical, legal and regulatory implications of treatment

History, philosophy and beliefs of massage therapy within a health framework

Indications and contra-indications for massage

Pain and chronic pain syndromes

Pathology and symptomology

Regional anatomy

Structure and function of anatomical systems appropriate to massage therapy and scope of practice, such as:

articular system

cardiovascular system

endocrine system

immune system

lymphatic system

nervous system

reproductive system

respiratory system

Technical and practical knowledge of treatment

The organisation of the body

The processes of ageing and biological maturation

The role of massage in:

alleviating depression and anxiety

auto-immune disorders

enhancing attentiveness

enhancing growth

immune disorders

The situation and referral patterns of trigger points

Understanding of physiology and anatomy according to massage therapy

Understanding of the fundamental principles of biomechanics and functional anatomy

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:

Communicate effectively with client/other health practitioner

Complete documentation of all recommendations and client responses

Comprehend common medical terminology

Demonstrate skills in applying advanced assessment techniques

Develop and implement treatment plans to achieve optimal health, rehabilitation, or to improve quality of life which involve:

treatment of a range of conditions/disease states

compressive techniques including digital ischemic pressure

deep tissue massage techniques

demonstration of the application of all of the techniques listed under the range of variables:

effleurage including cross over stroke, longitudinal stroking, gliding techniques

friction techniques

manual lymphatic drainage

mobilising techniques

myofascial tension technique

passive joint movement techniques

passive soft tissue movement

percussion techniques

petrissage/kneading

proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

stretching techniques

temperature therapy

trigger point release techniques

vibration

Ensure all treatment or care delivered is consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements

Gather and interpret information through the tactile senses

Handle a case requiring referral to another health care professional

Identify and describe a treatment outcome using accepted medical terminology

Identify bone landmarks, structures and individual muscles through palpation

Identify prominent bones/structure and phasic and postural muscles

Manage time throughout consultation and treatment

Palpate prominent bones/structure and phasic and postural muscles

Prepare the client for treatment according to massage principles

continued ...

Essential skills (contd):

Provide treatment according to the individual, the condition and the presence of complicating factors. It must be the safest, most efficacious method that is also cost effective to the client

Review treatment plan

Transcribe assessment findings and treatment in a client history using accepted medical terminology

Use equipment and resources competently and safely

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.

Consent for treatment refers to:

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

In the case of a minor or a ward of the state that an appropriate adult be present during any examination

Respond may include:

Adjusting treatment accordingly

Seeking appropriate expertise or referral

Discussing reaction with the client

Adhering to clinic guidelines for response to accidents and emergencies

Using first aid procedures according to St Johns, Australian Red Cross or other appropriate first aid training

Maintaining a senior first aid certificate which is renewed at least every three years

Accessing local, emergency services

Massage techniques:

To be performed in a variety of positions, ie, standing, seated, prone, supine and side recumbent lying, and through clothing as well as conventional table massage. These include but are not limited to:

Passive joint movement techniques

joints are moved through their range of movement, ie to the point of mild tissue resistance

Passive soft tissue movement

technique is applied with palmer surfaces of the hand, heel of hand and/or fingers

jostling:

shaking of the muscle from origin to insertion

Gliding techniques

effleurage:

broad superficial strokes using the entire palm surface of the hands to cover large surface areas of the body

Longitudinal stroking:

deep gliding movement is applied in the direction of the muscle fibres through focal pressure using any of the following; fingers, palm, heel of hands, forearm and/or knuckles

transverse gliding

cross over stroke:

pulling and pushing of the tissue using the hands in a criss-cross manner

Kneading/petrissage

technique is applied with palm surface of the hand, heel of hand and/or fingers

soft tissue is mobilised with rhythmical circular rolling, squeezing or pulling movements

Friction techniques

superficial tissue is moved over an underlying structure in circular, longitudinal or transverse directions

deep repetitive movements of short amplitude are applied usually with thumbs, fingers and knuckles or massage tool

friction techniques are believed to be beneficial in releasing adherent/scar tissue

continued ...

Massage techniques (cont):

Compressive techniques

digital pressure

compression: successive and rapid pressure,
i.e. a series of short duration compressions, is applied to soft tissue between two structures,
i.e. underlying bone structures and therapist's hand, or hand to hand

Percussion: cupping, tapping, hacking, pummelling and flicking are applied rhythmically using the hands

Temperature therapy

conduction, eg heat packs and immersion baths

radiation, eg ray lamps

friction

Topical applications

Deep tissue massage techniques

Myofascial tension technique: techniques conducted on superficial and/or deep tissues to:

lengthen tissue

reduce adhesions

increase range of movement

decrease compartment pressure

restore elasticity

Manual lymphatic drainage

Trigger point release techniques: apply digital ischemic pressure and/or apply stretching after treatment. It incorporates:

ischemic pressure

stretching

Stretching techniques:

static stretching

dynamic stretching

contract-relax and hold-relax

Advise and resource the client refers to:

Providing relevant literature or information materials

Referring client to other information sources

Providing advice regarding self-care

Advising client of suggested resources

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

Providing referrals to other health professionals

Availability of products required or suggested for treatment

Postural correction advice

Practical techniques that promote and maintain optimal health may include:

Postural improvement strategies eg ideal posture for activities

Discussion of causes of poor posture

Simple follow-up activities and/or strategies to work on between sessions

Activities and/or tasks to avoid

Self-massage techniques