Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work with clients, their carers and other members of a multi-disciplinary team where appropriate, to assist with fitting assistive equipment to meet individual client needs.
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 fitting of assistive equipment | 1.1 Confirm assistive equipment details and fitting requirements against the prescribed information provided by the allied health professional 1.2 Confirm with allied health professional specific client needs and abilities 1.3 Confer with allied health professional if fitting requirements are outside scope of role and responsibilities as defined by the organisation 1.4 Determine the clients’ availability, according to the organisation’s protocols 1.5 Gather assistive equipment and any equipment required for fitting 1.6 Prepare the setting for the fitting and instruction for use 1.7 Obtain consent from the clients before commencing the fitting |
2. Fit assistive equipment | 2.1 Provide client with the assistive equipment 2.2 Confirm the suitability of fit, size and that operation of equipment meets expected performance parameters and prescription and conforms to the manufacturer’s guidelines 2.3 Confirm the assistive equipment is in safe working order within the user environment 2.4 Obtain relevant measurements and data where adjustments are required 2.5 Restrict equipment functions for initial or trial periods to enable familiarity and ensure safety 2.6 Document and report the process and outcomes of fitting ensuring that arrangements for further action are implemented 2.7 Document maintenance periods and requirements for the assistive equipment 2.8 Identify any faults and complete necessary documentation 2.9 Confirm that client (and carer) have relevant documentation and understand any further action that needs to be taken |
3. Support client to use assistive equipment | 3.1 Explain and reinforce information about the use of the assistive equipment, in a manner, and at the level and pace, appropriate for the client 3.2 Confirm client understanding and answer any questions 3.3 Confirm that the assistive equipment is clean and in good working order for the client’s requirements before use 3.4 Label, remove from use and report defective assistive equipment to the appropriate person, and ensure an alternative is supplied as promptly as possible 3.5 Remove and minimise potential hazards in the immediate environment 3.6 Educate client and carers in the safe use, transportation and maintenance of the assistive equipment within the context of the users’ indoor and outdoor environments 3.7 Offer appropriate constructive feedback, encouragement and reinforcement 3.8 Provide safe physical support to enable the client to use the assistive equipment 3.9 Identify incorrect use and give verbal feedback and physical guidance 3.10 Monitor the effectiveness of the assistive equipment and report any problems to the appropriate person with minimum delay 3.11 Report any adverse effect, and major progress to the appropriate member of the care team 3.12 Recognise when client becomes distressed, in pain or communicates their desire to slow down, change activity or stop and follow stepping down procedures outlined in treatment plan or organisational guidelines 3.13 Agree relevant trial period and review periods to co-ordinate with client treatment plan |
4. Complete basic assistive equipment construction and modification | 4.1 Obtain equipment construction or modification specifications from allied health professional 4.2 Confirm requirements with allied health professional 4.3 Procure materials required for basic equipment construction and modifications 4.4 Complete construction and modifications according to specifications 4.5 Seek support from allied health professional if difficulty arises meeting the specifications 4.6 Check completed construction and modifications with allied health professional 4.7 Complete and file any required documentation, according to organisation protocols |
5. Comply with supervisory requirements | 5.1 Seek assistance when client presents with needs or signs outside limits of own authority, skills and/or knowledge 5.2 Report client difficulties to the supervising allied health professional for advice before continuing the program 5.3 Participate in supervision processes with the treating allied health professional in accordance with organisational protocol |
6. Clean and store assistive equipment after use | 6.1 Clean assistive equipment according to manufacturer’s recommendations, infection control requirements and organisation protocols 6.2 Store assistive equipment according to manufacturer’s recommendations and the organisation’s protocols 6.3 Report faults to the appropriate person and complete necessary documentation |
7. Report and document information | 7.1 Report suggested adjustments to assistive equipment, together with rationale, to the supervising allied health professional 7.2 Provide client progress feedback to the supervising allied health professional 7.3 Report client difficulties and concerns to the treating allied health professional 7.4 Implement variations to the assistive equipment according to the advice of the treating allied health professional 7.5 Document information about the client use of the assistive equipment according to the organisation’s protocols |
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:
fitted, tested and adjusted assistive equipment to 3 clients with different conditions and equipment requirements, 1 in a simulated environment and 2 in the workplace
educated 3 clients, 1 in a simulated environment and 2 in the workplace, in the use of a range of assistive equipment
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:
how to evaluate the user environment and the importance and methods of making the environment safe for use of the assistive equipment
principles associated with fitting and using specific equipment, or where to access information relating to the range of assistive equipment, associated systems and purpose
how to fit, test and adjust assistive equipment to meet individual needs, including the range of measurements required to prepare a specification for modification or adjustment to the original prescription
the principles of movement, mobility, posture management and special seating, including an understanding of balance and gait
the range, associated systems and purpose of assistive equipment
the psychological effects of disability due to injury or disease and strategies used to cope with this
the signs of adverse reaction to different programs and treatment
factors that facilitate an effective and collaborative working relationship
organisation policy and procedures in relation to:
infection control as it relates to the allied health assistant’s role in assisting with fitting assistive equipment
other specific organisation policies or procedures, including supervisory and reporting protocols
legal and ethical considerations relevant to allied health:
duty of care
informed consent
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations including 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 direction and supervision (direct, indirect, remote) as determined by the allied health professional qualified to fit specific equipment (physiotherapist, audiologist, occupational therapist).
The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including individualised plans and a range of assistive equipment
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.