Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with procedures performed by the podiatrist. Procedures may include surgical procedures of the skin and nails; preparation, modification and repair of orthotic devices and footwear.
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 the surgical podiatry procedure | 1.1 Obtain information from the podiatrist and the client’s record, including the podiatry care plan relevant to the procedure to be undertaken 1.2 Determine client availability according to organisation protocols 1.3 Conform to all infection control guidelines and requirements specified by the National Infection Control Guidelines for Podiatrists and the protocols of the organisation 1.4 Ensure the environment in which the procedure is to be performed conforms to work health safety (WHS) standards and protocols 1.5 Gather necessary equipment, instruments and materials 1.6 Prepare the environment for surgery, including cleansing and disinfecting of surfaces, equipment and materials 1.7 Ensure all instruments, dressings and related materials have undergone sterilisation according to the guidelines and protocols 1.8 Ensure work flow and set up for work flow by additional persons in the environment comply with the guidelines and protocols |
2. Assist with the surgical podiatry procedure | 2.1 Determine procedural requirements from the client’s record and the treating podiatrist 2.2 Provide the physical environment required to meet procedural requirements in a manner that is safe for the client as directed by the podiatrist 2.3 Follow the directions of the podiatrist to provide assistance during the procedure 2.4 Follow all infection control and WHS protocols to ensure the procedure conforms to organisation, state, national and legislated requirements 2.5 Assist with care and supervision of the patient during procedure 2.6 Follow directions for instrument handling, equipment handling material handling and any additional assistance required from the podiatrist 2.7 Safely and correctly use equipment and instrumentation to collect assessment information 2.8 Follow organisation guidelines and protocols for the safe and appropriate handling and disposal of hazardous and sharps materials 2.9 Provide documentation assistance and support as directed by the podiatrist |
3. Assist with templating for manufacture of orthotic devices | 3.1 Determine requirements from the client’s record and treating podiatrist 3.2 Gather equipment and materials required for templating and foot measurement 3.3 Provide the physical environment required to meet procedural requirements in a manner that is safe for the client and operator 3.4 Assist with templating and foot measurement according to podiatrist’s instruction 3.5 Work with podiatrist and client, within organisation guidelines, to determine appropriate follow up and further appointments |
4. Assist with modification to orthoses and footwear | 4.1 Determine procedural requirements from the client’s record and the treating podiatrist 4.2 Seek assistance or clarification to procedural directions 4.3 Provide the physical environment required to meet procedural requirements in a manner that is safe 4.4 Assist with modifications according to the treatment plan and prescriptions from supervising podiatrist 4.5 Present modified orthoses or footwear to podiatrist for assessment 4.6 Interpret and respond to instructions from podiatrist regarding further procedural or modification requirements 4.7 Provide instructions and assistance to client as directed by the podiatrist 4.8 Work with podiatrist and client, within organisation guidelines, to determine appropriate follow up and further appointments 4.9 Use machinery and equipment for modifications in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines, WHS requirements and organisation protocols |
5. Assist with support and advice to clients in the selection of footwear | 5.1 Under the guidance of podiatrist use appropriate devices and procedures to measure for fit 5.2 Confirm measurements with supervising podiatrist 5.3 Under the guidance of supervising podiatrist support and educate client in the selection of footwear and fit 5.4 Seek assistance or clarification to procedural directions 5.5 Work with podiatrist and client, within organisation guidelines, to determine appropriate follow up and further appointments |
6. Comply with supervisory requirements | 6.1 Provide podiatry assistance according to the instruction of treating podiatrist 6.2 Provide client progress feedback to the treating podiatrist 6.3 Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority or competence 6.4 Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating podiatrist 6.5 Implement variations to the podiatry care according to the advice of the treating podiatrist |
7. Clean, sterilise and store equipment | 7.1 Clean equipment according to manufacturers and organisation requirements 7.2 Prepare equipment and instruments for sterilisation according to organisation protocols 7.3 Store equipment according to manufacturers requirements and organisation protocols 7.4 Report equipment faults to appropriate person 7.5 Ensure consultation environment is maintained according to guidelines and organisation protocols |
8. Document client information | 8.1 Use accepted protocols to document information in line with organisation requirements 8.2 Use appropriate terminology to document client information |
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 a minimum of 7 different procedures, including:
surgical assistance
basic assessment
orthotic/footwear preparation and modification
worked safely and effectively with electrical equipment and machinery and potentially hazardous materials
safely and appropriately used materials, including:
animal derived leathers
synthetics
solvents
adhesives
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:
podiatry procedures, including:
orthotic manufacture/modification
assessment
podiatric surgery
conditions treated by a podiatrist
basic anatomy and physiology of the skin and nails relevant for the role
structure and function of the skin and integuments
common pathological conditions of the skin and nails
disease processes relevant to the client group/s
identification and purpose of podiatry surgical instruments
basic biomechanics of the lower limb
principles and guidelines of orthotic devices
principles of footwear selection and fitting
organisation policy and procedures in relation to:
infection control protocols
supervisory and reporting protocols
record keeping requirements
client treatment plans, foot care or podiatry plans
goals and limitations of podiatry intervention
medical terminology in relation to podiatric procedures
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
WHS:
manual handling including identification and control of manual task risk factors
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in in a therapeutic workplace under the direction and supervision (direct, indirect, remote) as determined by the podiatrist with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations have not been provided in the workplace. 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
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.