Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide basic assistance to an allied health professional.
This unit applies to allied health assistants working in a health or community context. Depending on the setting, work may include following treatment plans for therapeutic interventions and/or conducting programs under the regular (direct, indirect or remote) supervision of an allied health professional.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Provide relevant information to clients | 1.1 Adhere to confidentiality policies at all times 1.2 Provide basic accurate information to clients regarding allied health services |
2. Prepare for therapy session | 2.1 Confirm and discuss therapy and treatment plans and programs with supervising allied health professional 2.2 Obtain information from relevant sources according to organisation policies and supervising allied health professional 2.3 Check resources and equipment required for therapy program to ensure suitability and working order 2.4 Recognise and minimise environmental hazards in accordance with organisation requirements 2.5 Prepare the client for therapy under direction of supervising allied health professional |
3. Provide assistance with therapy session | 3.1 Assist with therapy tasks according to instructions of allied health professional 3.2 Maintain general therapy precautions 3.3 Seek clarification and feedback 3.4 Take appropriate actions to ensure comfort, safety and privacy of the client 3.5 Reinforce, clarify and explain therapy goals to clients under supervision of allied health professional 3.6 Support and coach clients to achieve identified therapy goals under supervision of allied health professional 3.7 Deal with accidents and incidents appropriately and report to the supervising allied health professional |
4. Use therapy equipment correctly and safely | 4.1 Use equipment according to manufacturer and instructions set by supervising allied health professional 4.2 Follow work health and safety (WHS) guidelines for particular pieces of equipment |
5. Feedback appropriate therapy information to supervising allied health professional | 5.1 Pass on significant information to appropriate supervising allied health professional 5.2 Document information according to organisation policy and procedures |
6. Assist in the design and construction of simple therapy materials and equipment | 6.1 Assist the allied health professional to identify gaps in therapy material resources and develop solutions 6.2 Update therapy materials on a regular basis as instructed 6.3 Construct aids and adaptations in accordance with allied health professional’s instructions |
7. Complete required administrative duties | 7.1 Maintain statistics in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 7.2 Maintain stock levels in accordance with organisation policies and procedures 7.3 Book in clients for appointments in accordance with organisation policies and procedures |
8. Work with a primary health care approach | 8.1 Support and facilitate the involvement of the client and the community in the planning and provision of services according to instruction of supervising allied health professional 8.2 Promote good health and a preventive approach to maintaining health as part of own work role 8.3 Demonstrate recognition of and support for the importance of access and equity in provision of health services in line with own work role 8.4 Reflect evidence based practice in own provision of health care services |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
assisted with 3 allied health programs, 1 in a simulated environment and 2 in the workplace
performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 80 hours of work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
client individualised plans, goals and limitations of therapy
roles, responsibilities and limitations of self and other allied health team members including nursing, medical and other personnel
therapy tasks and programs associated with particular client population
how to assess client readiness for therapy and whether there are changes that might affect the appropriateness of the prescribed therapy
allied health resources available for client population
appropriate use of allied health equipment and resources
organisation policy and procedures in relation to:
infection control
work health and safety:
manual handling, including identification and control of manual task risk factors
other specific organisation procedures, including supervisory and reporting protocols
differences between occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech pathology and related therapy techniques
basic human behaviour and social and interpersonal behaviour
concepts of holistic health as wellbeing, rather than focusing on disease or its absence
determinants of health, including:
housing
education
nutrition
communication
Assessment Conditions
All aspects of the performance evidence must have been demonstrated using simulation prior to being demonstrated in a therapeutic workplace under the direction and supervision (direct, indirect, remote) as determined by the allied health professional.
The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
individualised plans and any relevant equipment outlined in the plan
relevant organisation policies and procedures
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (such as language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.