Application
This unit describes the required skills and knowledge to undertake research projects, incorporating information that may be gathered by a researcher or by other workers in the community.
This unit applies to those Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver 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
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Determine ownership of research material | 1.1 Identify and record the purpose and scope of researching community health needs 1.2 Consult key people to clarify the purpose and outcome of the research 1.3 Obtain permission from the community to undertake the research 1.4 Review and note funding policy and/or organisational guidelines regarding ownership 1.5 Negotiate ownership of research data and documents as required 1.6 Acknowledge ownership on documents, as required by funding, policy and/or organisational guidelines |
2. Determine research methodology using community processes | 2.1 Identify and discuss with community representatives any requirements relating to research outcomes 2.2 Identify key people and processes for effective community consultation in line with participatory action research principles 2.3 Identify and develop required information-gathering tools 2.4 Incorporate evaluation processes throughout research/consultation processes 2.5 Ensure methodology maintains community and individual confidentiality |
3. Conduct research | 3.1 Develop and implement action plans in line with agreed research methodology 3.2 Communicate with community in culturally appropriate and safe ways to gather relevant information 3.3 Record information gathered in line with organisation and community guidelines 3.4 Analyse information in accordance with scope and purpose of research 3.5 Evaluate research methodology in consultation with key people |
4. Finalise research | 4.1 Identify recommendations for action in line with community and organisation requirements 4.2 Complete report and discuss findings with community representatives 4.3 Refer report to agencies and stakeholders impacted by recommendations 4.4 Liaise with agencies to facilitate understanding and action in relation to report findings |
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:
planned, conducted and coordinated all aspects of at least one research project to inform the provision of health services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities, including:
communicating effectively with stakeholders, including community members
ensuring confidentiality of individual and community information as appropriate
applying research methodologies
developing information-gathering tools and action plans
presenting written information in research reports
analysing and presenting information clearly
evaluating research processes and findings
conducted at least two community group consultation sessions about the purpose, methodology and outcomes of the research.
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:
available local resources, including relevant equipment and technology
sources of information
research techniques and processes, including small group facilitation
community development principles
research ethics – community ownership of data
relevant guidelines on research, including:
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research
Values and Ethics – Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in ATSI Health Research
relevant policies, protocols and procedures of the organisation.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated working:
in a health service or centre
individually or as a member of a multidisciplinary 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.
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. |