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 the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

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

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

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

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

Practical demonstration and simulations

Short tests and essays

Oral questioning and discussion

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

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 in conjunction with the following related unit:

HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health

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:

A range of alternative and complementary therapies

Basic knowledge of the principles of shiatsu therapy and its epistemology within the therapeutic systems of the east and west

Basic knowledge of the qualitative, quantitative, cultural and traditional lines of evidence used in shiatsu

Ethical issues in natural medicine

OHS requirements in the workplace

Philosophical tradition of western and eastern medicine

Sociology of health and the healthcare system

The concepts of ki (qi or chi), kyo and jitsu, tonification and dispersal and masanaga's zen shiatsu

The dynamic interchange between the physical, mental, social, environmental and spiritual landscape

The eastern medicine integration of these approaches to health

The effects of shiatsu application to the body surface

The history and development of shiatsu

The philosophies, principles and tools of shiatsu practice

The principles of hara and its role in shiatsu

The rationalistic, analytical approach to an understanding of disease

The theory of meridian therapy

The vitalistic, empirical approach to health

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:

Appropriately record details of client enquiries according to clinic guidelines

Communicate with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

Correctly identify client information needs

Demonstrate communication skills in a one-to-one and group setting

Explain relevant products and services

Provide client with required information

Work or model work which demonstrates an understanding of underpinning values and philosophies in the shiatsu framework

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.

Central philosophies of shiatsu include:

Meridians

Yin and yang

Kyo and jitsu

Hara

Five phase/element theory

Development of personal health strategy eg ki building and ki projection

Major methods of treatment include:

A range of shiatsu sequences and techniques

Tsubo/acu-point techniques

Moxibustion

Stretching, posture and exercise techniques

Elbows, feet, knees, ball of thumb, hand pressure techniques

Meridian stretching techniques

Namikoshi, barefoot, and oshashi shiatsu zen shiatsu sequences and techniques

Hara diagnosis, tonification/dispersion and whole body sequence

Lifestyle and dietary advice

Relaxation techniques

Meditation

Other complementary therapies may include:

Traditional Chinese Massage

Therapies in which the practitioner is trained or informed

Shiatsu assessment techniques may include:

Examination of physical features

Palpation of the abdomen, back and meridians

Observation

Listening and smelling

Masunaga meridian palpation assessment

Back and spinal palpation assessment

Anatomical or mobility/flexibility assessment

Discussion/questioning

Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard

Procedures which are conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements

Information on other complementary therapies may include:

Historical development

Current availability

Tools and techniques

Interactions between different therapies

When therapies may be used

Underpinning philosophy

Relationship between therapies may include:

Contraindications to treatment

Effects of one treatment over or with another

Treatment according to stage of condition

Enquiries may require explanation of:

Duration of treatment

Limitations of expected treatment outcomes

Possible approaches to treatment

Estimated cost of treatment

Availability of health fund rebates

Work cover eligibility

Limitations of professional status of practitioner

Availability of home visits

After hours service

Provision for hospital visits.

Appropriate information may include:

Confirmation of appointment date and time

Clinic location and directions

Cost of initial consultation

Payment options

Clinic's guidelines may include:

Procedures and guidelines

Purpose or mission statement

Code of ethics or practice

Level of competency and degree of supervision

Partnership/group decisions, agreed practice

Handling client complaints

Legal and regulatory guidelines may include:

OHS guidelines

Anti-discrimination legislation

Privacy Act

Infection control

Relevant documentation may include:

Nature of enquiry

Client contact details

Recording of incidents

Appointment details