CHCAOD510B
Work effectively with clients with complex alcohol and-or other drugs issues

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to provide a range of community services to meet the needs of clients who may have alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues, which may be combined with other issuesIt also covers the review of client progress and evaluation of all work undertaken with clients

Application

This unit applies to those working with clients with AOD issues in the delivery of community services

Service delivery may take place in a range of settings


Prerequisites

Not Applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Provide services to meet client needs

1.1 Establish strategies to develop effective working relationships with clients to enable the delivery of targeted services

1.2 Negotiate goals and action plans with the client and document in accordance with organisation procedures

1.3 Carry out early or short-term programs with clients as appropriate

1.4 Negotiate comprehensive and longer care programs with the client as appropriate

1.5 Put in place arrangements to meet the specific needs of clients

1.6 Provide client with relevant and current information on alcohol and other drugs and related issues and discuss

1.7 Provide assistance with daily living as appropriate and in accordance with organisation policies and procedures and service guidelines

1.8 Provide immediate help or referral for critical incidents arising from client's alcohol and other drugs use

1.9 Identify relevant work health and safety (WHS), legal, ethical and duty of care considerations and incorporate in service delivery.

1.10 Plan and implement relapse prevention strategies

1.11 Assist clients with strategies and actions to reduce drug related harm to themselves

1.12 Make referrals to relevant agencies that can assist clients to address other specific needs

2. Plan and implement harm minimisation and relapse prevention strategies

2.1 Plan and implement relapse prevention strategies

2.2 Assist clients with strategies and actions to prevent and/or reduce drug related harm to themselves and others

2.3 Assist client to identify indicators of possible relapse

3. Provide support for additional needs

3.1 Determine additional client issues likely to have an influence on treatment and rehabilitation

3.2 Determine additional service and support needs

3.3 Identify client issues that are outside the scope of the service and/or the scope of the worker

3.4 Inform the client of possible options

3.5 Inform the client of the reasons for seeking other service and support options

3.6 Confirm the client's understanding of options

3.7 Work with the client to determine referral options and responsibilities

3.8 Where appropriate, make referral with client consent and within organisation policy and procedures

3.9 Work with the client to determine case management requirements

4. Review client progress

4.1 Implement processes to ensure client's progress is regularly reviewed against negotiated goals and action plans

4.2 Monitor, record and report progress against the plan of care according to organisation guidelines

4.3 Negotiate revised action plans and timelines and write into the plan of care as needed

4.4 Negotiate client exit from the program with the client and provide support in accordance with organisation policies and available resources

4.5 Review outcomes of client work with supervisor and /or colleagues in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

5. Evaluate work undertaken with clients

5.1 Review outcomes of client work against care plan goals and document in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

5.2 Discuss outcomes with clients and appropriate persons inside or outside the organisation and document in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

5.3 Put in place processes to ensure feedback from supervisors, clients and other workers and reflection on own practices are incorporated in work activities and services provided

5.4 Identify professional development needs and options and access to ensure ongoing competence

Required Skills

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

These include knowledge of:

Legal and organisation knowledge, including:

legal and organisation requirements for client registration, allocation and referral

organisation policies on reporting and confidentiality

organisation policies and procedures for documenting work with clients

understanding agency role, agency target group and the impacts on the local community

range of alcohol and other drugs specific treatment intervention options including detoxification, inpatient treatment programs, outpatient treatment services, and brief interventions

Effects of alcohol and other drugs use, including:

signs and symptoms of medical risk associated with alcohol and other drugs use

stages and symptoms of alcohol and other drugs withdrawal

basic health issues relating to alcohol and/or other drugs use - e.g. malnutrition, blood borne diseases, skin infestations, effects of drug use on health, cognitive, social, emotional development and impact on others

basic pharmacology - types of drugs; dose levels; effects of specific drugs; tolerance; treatment approaches broadly

the effects of alcohol related brain injury

consequences and effects of drug substitution/replacement

effects of prescribed drugs on the use of other drugs

patterns of drug use in Australia and the local community

range of use and use scenarios e.g. lifestyle context of illegal drug use

Complexity of poly drug use, including:

medical

physiological

knowledge

Indicators of other issues, including:

mental health issues

homelessness

financial issues

domestic issues

employment issues

disability issues

gender identification issues

post traumatic stress disorder - Vietnam veteran

children of Vietnam veteran

continued ...

Essential knowledge (contd):

Legal issues, including:

legal status of drugs

legal issues surrounding alcohol and other drugs use

Policy issues, including:

public health model - interaction of impact of drugs, individual and the environment

harm minimisation including a range of approaches: prevention, early intervention, abstinence, specialist treatment, supply control and safer drug use

Working with clients, including:

common relapse precipitants

a range of strategies for working with clients

strategies to promote participation in programs

range of cultural contexts - lifestyle, set of beliefs, customs

client empowerment/disempowerment

rights of workers and clients

different lifestyles

self-esteem, abuse issues, self-awareness, own biases, ethical obligations re: helping relationships

types of counselling e.g. motivational interviewing, brief and intensive intervention, relapse prevention

medical approaches to treatment for drug use

nature and approaches of therapeutic communities

protocols around use of interpreters

person-centred approach

case management principles

Working with clients at risk of self-harm, including:

suicidal or self-harming behaviour, ideation or intention

no-suicide contracts and other protective strategies

links between predisposing factors for self-harm, drug use and mental health problems

legal and ethical obligations regarding clients at risk of self-harm or with mental illnesses

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Where jurisdiction and job role mandate, demonstrate first aid certification or equivalent skills (as per unit HLTFA311A Apply first aid) including:

cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

bandaging

managing toxic substances

managing bleeding

managing broken bones

managing consciousness

managing choking and knowledge of coma positions

Where jurisdiction and job role mandate, work with clients in a range of settings e.g. residential, in community settings and outreach work

Work with clients with coexisting issues such as mental health, child abuse

Work collaboratively with clients to address their issues

Refer the client to health professionals immediately the client needs exceeds the responsibility and capacity of the worker or in an emergency situation

Identify coexisting issues such as mental health issues and

Identify and address child protection issues that will effect work with the client

In addition, the candidate must be able 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

These include the ability to:

Establish rapport

Apply active listening skills, including questioning

Interpret verbal and non-verbal communication

Work with a range of clients

Contract with clients

Demonstrate application of skills in:

conflict resolution

negotiation

crisis intervention

protective intervention

advocacy

networking and liaison with other agencies

identification of support structures

Maintain documentation as required, including effective use of relevant information technology in line with work health and safety (WHS) guidelines

Evidence Required

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 unit of competency:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
In addition, this competency should be assessed in the context of the particular workplace client group

This unit of competence will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions
Some theoretical knowledge may be assessed by formal testing e.g. suicide risk assessment

Assessment must include the normal range of workplace situations

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights 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 issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on 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 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged

Resources required for assessment of this unit include access to a workplace or simulated workplace where assessment may occur

Method of assessment:

In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios

Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on Essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes

Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a 'period of time' and/or in a 'number of locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

Related units:

Depending on jurisdiction and job role, assessment of this unit of competency may be required in conjunction with:

HLTFA311A Apply first aid
or

HLTFA412A Apply advanced first aid


Range Statement

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.

Targeted services (i.e. specific to alcohol and/or other drugs use) may include:

Detoxification

Inpatient counselling

Outpatient counselling

Self-help groups

Proclaimed place, rehabilitation centres, residential

Sobering up units

Services which provide consumables e.g. syringes, thiamine, needle exchange,

Drug substitution/replacement services e.g. methadone, bupranorphine, naltrexone

Therapeutic communities

Other services include:

Accommodation

Emergency services

Mental health services

Financial assistance

Health professionals

Counselling

Employment support

Strategies to develop effective working relationships

Verbal communication styles

Plan areas to be addressed, approaches to be taken and special considerations

Planning to address contingencies

Implementing appropriate cultural approaches

Relapse prevention strategies may include:

Identification of drug use 'triggers' and working with the client to develop responses to deal with triggers

Referral to self help groups

Stress management advice

Ongoing positive support

Monitoring of the client's progress

Facilitating use of community resources

Encouraging client to develop a support network

Role play

Discussion of strategies for stress management, money management, goal setting, prioritising, problem solving, decision-making, disengagement

Review refers to:

A short term formative analysis of client progress

Reviewing strategies

Standards against which a review can occur

Client exit (negotiation of with the client) will depend on the organisation policies and procedures and the individual clients needs and may include:

Negotiation of contract with client

Providing information on what the client may expect when they leave

Providing follow up

Ending the client/worker relationship

Ensuring personal safety of clients at risk of self-harm including availability of ongoing supports from appropriate agencies

Access to harm reduction consumables e.g. Needles, syringes, and needle exchange programs

Client exit (organisation requirements) may include:

Client questionnaire

Documentation including reason for exit and condition of client at exit

Organisation's documentation on treatment/ assessment progress

Supporting a client to make contact with other services may include:

Making an appointment for the client

Accompanying client to first appointment

Organising for another appropriate person to accompany the client to an appointment

Organising interpreter services for the client

Other services include:

Centrelink

Accommodation

Emergency services

Mental health services

Follow up will depend on the organisation's policies and procedures and the client needs and may include:

Obtaining feedback and reports on outcomes of referrals from other agency in accordance with organisation policies and procedures including those referring to client confidentiality

Checking protective support for suicide risk is available if required

Making an appointment for follow up

Contact with client at referral agency

Liaison between alcohol and other drugs worker and other services

Outcomes may include:

Measurement of harm minimisation

Changes made during intervention and changes sustained over time

Those negotiated with the client as part of a management plan

Referral and acceptance to another treatment program or half-way house

Both positive and negative outcomes

Linkage with appropriate services

Client being moved from institution or service

Client changes - behaviour, attitudinal

Review outcomes of client work against care planmay be:

Within the organisation

In consultation with other agencies


Sectors

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

This unit contains Employability Skills


Licensing Information

Not Applicable