Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with basic foot hygiene under the direction of a podiatrist, including skin and nail care and applying dressings, padding and cushioning.
This unit applies to allied health assistants and should be performed under the direction and supervision (direct, indirect or remote) 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. Prepare for basic foot hygiene | 1.1 Interpret and respond to client podiatry care plan and occasion of care requirements as prescribed by supervising podiatrist 1.2 Determine client availability according to organisation protocols 1.3 Gather necessary equipment 1.4 Undertake steps to meet infection control requirements 1.5 Prepare for basic foot hygiene to comply with legislation, regulatory and organisation/practice requirements |
2. Perform basic foot hygiene | 2.1 Explain to the client the purpose, rationale and requirements of the foot hygiene session 2.2 Determine the client’s understanding of the purpose, rationale and requirements of each part of the foot hygiene session 2.3 Identify any condition indicating the client is at high risk that requires podiatrist attention 2.4 Assist client in and out of any shoes, socks and/or hosiery 2.5 Position the client prior to foot hygiene session to reduce risk to provider and client 2.6 Implement necessary infection control measures 2.7 Perform basic foot hygiene according to the directions of the podiatrist and using appropriate infection control precautions, especially in relation to air borne particles 2.8 Apply appropriate dressings to any skin breaks which might result from treatment 2.9 Provide feedback that reinforces the podiatrist’s advice 2.10 Identify and manage client compliance issues 2.11 Work with client to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates 2.12 Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority 2.13 Report client difficulties to the supervising podiatrist |
3. Apply padding and cushioning as prescribed by the supervising podiatrist | 3.1 Explain to the client the purpose and rationale of the dressing, padding or cushioning 3.2 Determine the client’s understanding of the purpose and rationale of the dressing, padding or cushioning 3.3 Correctly position the client 3.4 Implement necessary infection control measures, including disposal of used padding and cushioning according to infection control protocols 3.5 Apply padding and cushioning according to directions of podiatrist 3.6 Provide feedback that reinforces the podiatrist’s advice 3.7 Identify and manage client compliance issues 3.8 Work with client to determine and plan any follow up requirements and dates 3.9 Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority 3.10 Report client difficulties to the supervising podiatrist |
4. Comply with supervisory requirements | 4.1 Provide podiatry assistance according to the instruction of treating podiatrist 4.2 Provide client progress feedback to the treating podiatrist 4.3 Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating podiatrist 4.4 Implement variations to the podiatry care according to the advice of the treating podiatrist |
5. Clean and store equipment | 5.1 Collect, handle, manage and dispose of biological waste material according to organisation guidelines and infection control requirements 5.2 Prepare equipment for sterilisation according to manufacturer and organisation requirements 5.3 Store equipment according to manufacturers requirements and organisation protocols 5.4 Report equipment faults to appropriate person |
6. Document client information | 6.1 Document occasion of basic foot hygiene according to organisation requirements 6.2 Document referral to supervising podiatrist 6.3 Use appropriate terminology to document symptomatic expression of identified problems |
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 basic foot hygiene to at least 3 clients, 1 in a simulated environment and 2 in the workplace, including:
cutting and filing nails
identifying pathological nail and skin conditions
applying simple wound dressings to at least 3 different conditions
applying padding and cushioning to at least 3 different conditions
applying medicaments, including:
emollients
astringents
moisturisers
antiseptics
applied a wound dressing for an iatrogenic wound
safely and effectively used podiatry instruments and electrical equipment, including an electric drill
performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 120 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 treatment plans or foot care plan
goals and limitations of podiatry intervention and variations in podiatry conditions
basic anatomy and physiology of the foot, including medical terminology, structure and functioning of the skin and integuments, and basic understanding of foot pathology
the function of medicaments:
emollients
astringents
moisturisers
antiseptics
principles and protocols of:
aseptic technique
foot hygiene
organisation policy and procedures in relation to:
infection control
record keeping and reporting
other specific organisation procedures, including supervisory and reporting protocols
legal and ethical considerations relevant to allied health:
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
duty of care
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations of self and other allied health team members and nursing, medical and other personnel
work health and safety (WHS):
manual handling, including identification and control of manual task risk factors
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 podiatrist.
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
podiatry instruments and electrical equipment including:
wound dressings
padding and cushioning
medicaments
electric drill
modelling of industry operating conditions and contingencies, including provision of services to real people
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.