Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage and promote the ongoing physical, physiological and psychological rehabilitation of a client recovering from a burn injury.
The unit applies to those Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers providing a range of primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.
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
Elements define the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Assess the psychosocial impact of burn injuries on clients | 1.1 Respect Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people’s community values, beliefs and gender roles when assessing psychosocial impact 1.2 Undertake risk assessment of the client, identifying factors which may indicate risk to themselves or the safety of others 1.3 Identify the social and cultural implications of a burns injury 1.4 Note possible signs of trauma and/or major mental health issues related to the burn injury 1.5 Identify pre-existing factors in the individual, family and/or community that may impede or facilitate recovery and the healing process 1.6 Involve family or significant others in the assessment process |
2. Implement a care plan in response to psychosocial assessment | 2.1 Develop a care plan in consultation with the client and/or significant others, in line with organisation, community and confidentiality requirements 2.2 Address client’s rehabilitation needs and findings of routine psychosocial assessment in the care plan 2.3 Document care plan in line with organisation and community requirements 2.4 Communicate care plan to client and/or their carer(s) and negotiate as required to encourage full understanding and agreement 2.5 Take action to minimise risk of harm to self or others during implementation of care plan 2.6 Support client to take a self-care approach to health in line with individual needs and organisational requirements |
3. Develop scar management strategies | 3.1 Identify factors affecting scar formation 3.2 Apply pressure garments correctly and with care 3.3 Implement methods to minimise hypertrophy, increase scar pliability and protect burned skin 3.4 Implement methods to prevent or minimise contracture 3.5 Employ simple techniques to reduce itching 3.6 Instruct the client about basic massage techniques, as appropriate 3.7 Refer clients to allied health professionals, as appropriate 3.8 Discuss reconstructive options with allied health professionals and clients, if relevant |
4. Incorporate nutrition and exercise in care plan | 4.1 Explain to the client the importance of nutrition in burn recovery 4.2 Develop an exercise program in consultation with health professionals that encourages movement and ambulation 4.3 Instruct the client in basic exercises under the supervision of a health professional 4.4 Facilitate exercise through splinting/positioning 4.5 Use adaptive equipment where relevant 4.6 Discuss the consequences of not following an exercise program with the client and/or carer(s) |
5. Refer clients in line with care plan | 5.1 Identify and inform clients of community and health services that provide support to burns patients and/or their families 5.2 Make referrals in line with service policy and procedures 5.3 Follow-up with clients and families once referred |
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:
formulated care plans for at least three clients by:
collaborating with other members of a multi-disciplinary team to determine:
findings of psychosocial assessment
risk of harm to self and others
communicating care plans to each client and checking their understanding
using a motivational interviewing approach
correctly determining the appropriate rehabilitation therapies required in the specific circumstance of burns rehabilitation
carrying out rehabilitation procedures and education safely and effectively on at least three occasions, including:
positioning and splinting
oedema management
movement and ambulation
functional activity
adaptive aids
nutrition
supporting each client to take a self-care approach to health with provision of appropriate information and other measures
referring clients as necessary in accordance with service policy and procedures
following up with patients and their families once referred
educating and informing clients about psychosocial issues and possible services to assist recovery.
Evidence of 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.
This includes knowledge of:
reconstructive options in relation to burns rehabilitation
principles of scar management, working in collaboration with allied health professionals
aims and consequences of rehabilitation exercise regimes – under the supervision of a health professional
psychosocial factors affecting burn injury clients:
risk to self and others
social and cultural implications
common individual reactions to a burns injury
possible signs of trauma and mental health issues
pre-existing factors in family and wider community that may impede or facilitate recovery and the healing process
family involvement
communication skills
community and health services which may support burns patients and/or their families with psychosocial needs
referral process in accordance with service policy and procedures.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated working:
in a health service or centre
as part of a multi-disciplinary primary health care team
with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.
In addition, simulations and scenarios must be used where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely. These are situations relating to emergency or unplanned procedures where assessment in these circumstances would be unsafe or is impractical.
Simulated assessment environments must simulate the real-life working environment where these skills and knowledge would be performed, with all the relevant equipment and resources of that working environment, including medical equipment, splints and pressure garments used in aiding wound recovery.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Assessment must be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in this unit of competency and who is:
an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker
or:
accompanied by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (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. |