This unit is intended to address skills and knowledge required by those working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities to deliver primary health care services at Certificate IV level

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Provide information and support related to eye health

1.1 Provide accurate information to the community about eye health and risk factors related to eye health

1.2 Provide information about the importance of regular eye checks, compliance with treatment regimens and medications, and the need to follow-up and monitor eye problems

1.3 Discuss issues relating to the impact of diet on eye health

1.4 Provide information on available eye health care resources and services, including specialist resources

1.5 Show clients the correct procedure for instillation of eye drops/ointment

1.6 Support clients in self-care practices related to eye health, as required

1.7 Perform basic first aid procedures to address acute eye problems, as required

2. Follow-up eye health care programs

2.1 Evaluate eye health programs in line with organisation guidelines and community requirements

2.2 Maintain client confidentiality in line with organisation guidelines

2.3 Regularly update and maintain records of eye health care programs according to organisational policies and procedures

2.4 Implement strategies to improve eye health in line with community requirements and organisation guidelines

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential 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:

Anatomy and physiology of the eye

Broad knowledge of eye diseases (manifestation, impact and treatment)

Knowledge of eye-related symptoms and signs that suggest a need for urgent/emergent medical or optometric assessment

Refractive errors and spectacle correction

Children's vision issues (strabismus and amblyopia)

Broad health knowledge base relating to diabetes

Organisation policies and procedures relating to client confidentiality

Role of the Aboriginal Health Worker in counselling and health education

Strategies to:

improve eye health in the community

address clients presenting with eye problems

coordinate provision of optimum level of eye health service delivery

Eye health problems requiring referral

Effective self-care practices for eye health

Relevant evaluation criteria for monitoring effectiveness of eye health care program

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Communicate effectively in a group and one-on-one environment to promote healthy practices and discuss health issues

Provide accurate and relevant information and guidance about eye health care in line with identified individual and community needs

In addition, the candidate must be able 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 the ability to:

Take a case history

Assess vision and visual acuity

Measure pinhole acuity

Undertake:

an emergency pupil assessment

a basic external eye examination

eye drop and ointment instillation

fitting of an eye patch and eye shield

spectacle adjustments and minor repairs

Communicate effectively with client to obtain information and ensure understanding of information provided.

Liaise between service providers, individuals, families and community groups.

Provide community education on eye health.

Reflect on and improve own level and application of skills and knowledge to achieve desirable outcomes and maintain own capabilities.

Work with a team to deliver effective health promotion and education for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities and clients using appropriate facilitation, problem solving and instructional practices.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects of assessment:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Conditions of assessment:

This unit includes skills and knowledge specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture

Assessment must therefore be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in the unit of competency or who has the current qualification being assessed and who is:

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander him/herself

or:

accompanied and advised by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care

Context of assessment:

Competence should be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a primary health care team working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

Related units:

This unit may be assessed independently or in conjunction with other units with associated workplace application

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Cultural respect

This competency standard supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

It recognises that the improvement of the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social well-being, community capacity and governance

Its application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices

Community control

Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of health work, and the role of the health worker is to support the community in this process

Supervision

Supervision must be conducted in accordance with prevailing state/territory and organisation legislative and regulatory requirements

References to supervision may include either direct or indirect supervision of work by more experienced workers, supervisors, managers or other health professionals

A person at this level should only be required to make decisions about clients within the organisation's standard treatment protocols and associated guidelines

Legislative requirements

Federal, state or territory legislation may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities. Implementation of the competency standards should reflect the legislative framework in which a health worker operates. It is recognised that this may sometimes reduce the application of the Range of Variables in practice. However, assessment in the workplace or through simulation should address all essential skills and knowledge across the Range of Variables

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers may be required to operate in situations that do not constitute 'usual practice' due to lack of resources, remote locations and community needs. As a result, they may need to possess more competencies than described by 'usual practice circumstances'

Under all circumstances, the employer must enable the worker to function within the prevailing legislative framework

Self-care practices for eye health may include:

Adjusting spectacle frames

Performing minor spectacle repairs

General care and maintenance of spectacles

Fitting an eye patch

Fitting an eye shield

Instillation of eye drops/ointment

Strategies to improve eye health may include:

Collection of data as a basis for preventing, containing or eliminating diseases or conditions causing eye problems.

Identification of relationships between eye health and nutrition, demography, culture, socio-economic status and general health.

Use of a community development approach to devise strategies to improve eye health.

Eye health care equipment may include, but are not limited to:

Eye washes

Ophthalmoscope

Retinal camera

This unit contains Employability Skills