Application
This unit underpins work at the Diploma level or above in designing, structuring and evaluating the effectiveness of health programs for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities |
Prerequisites
Not Applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan a health program as part of primary health care services | 1.1 Assess community health needs in partnership with the community in line with community and organisation guidelines 1.2 Discuss research findings with the community to identify priorities for health program activities 1.3 Develop program plan in consultation with key representatives of the community and any related agencies/organisations 1.4 Ensure health program has a holistic, culturally sensitive approach 1.5 Identify relevant existing resources (human, financial and physical) for implementation of the program 1.6 Prepare proposal (and/or submission) as required to address any additional resource requirements, including funding 1.7 Include effective measures to ensure record maintenance, confidentiality and compliance with legislation 1.8 Plan health programs to support clients in taking a self-care approach to health in line with individual needs and organisation and community requirements |
2. Develop a health program as part of primary health care services | 2.1 Develop program to address identified community health needs in line with program plan and community and organisation guidelines 2.2 Develop program in partnership with key representatives of the community and any related agencies/organisations 2.3 Identify appropriate delivery strategies according to the needs of the target group, location and health issue 2.4 Access, adapt or develop resources (human, financial and physical) as required to suit the needs of the health issue, audience and program delivery context |
3. Evaluate health program as a primary health care service | 3.1 Evaluate program against criteria that reflect identified community health objectives in line with organisation requirements 3.2 Identify evaluation processes and criteria prior to delivery of the program 3.3 Seek to identify program strengths as well areas for improvement as a basis for continual enhancement of health outcomes 3.4 Seek feedback on program effectiveness and provide to community and organisation representatives 3.5 Communicate outcomes of the evaluation to relevant stakeholders to guide future activities in the delivery of health services to the community |
Required Skills
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: Relevant policies, protocols and procedures of the organisation Health programs relevant to the area/region/community Management of common existing and potential health problems for the community Effective strategies to monitor and manage identified health problems in line with community needs and sensitivities Good knowledge of a range of relevant conditions, diseases and disorders, including: prevalent health issues. child and youth health issues sexual and reproductive health problems for males and females sexually transmissible infections substance misuse rape, family violence and sexual abuse Familiarity with basic pathophysiology, disease patterns and management priorities for a range of diseases common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, such as: cardiovascular disease diabetes mellitus chronic renal disease chronic liver disease chronic obstructive lung disease major types of chronic physical, psychiatric and mental disability oral diseases, including dental caries Physiological and related changes associated with aging, how they manifest physically and likely impact on clients Developmental milestones, significant health problems and immunisation policies/procedures pertaining to children in the local area/region Adult learning principles and practices Methods of evaluating health programs and providing feedback to health service management and the community in line with organisation and community requirements Occupational health and safety practices and procedures relevant to the work (eg. manual handling) How to contact and access available health and support services in the region |
Essential skills: It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to: Plan, develop and evaluate primary health care programs for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities over the range of health program services provided in line with community needs and workplace requirements 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: Explain and describe procedures and illnesses/disorders to clients using clear, simple language Apply literacy and numeracy skills to read and write reports, interpret simple statistics, charts and test results, write letters and maintain client records Work with groups in the community to seek input and feedback on health services Use computer-based and/or paper-based client record systems Observe, obtain and interpret client information in relation to health issues, behaviour and health services Communicate with clients, colleagues, community members and other agencies and to negotiate with them as required Reflect on and improve own level and application of skills and knowledge to achieve desirable outcomes and maintain own capabilities |
Evidence Required
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 |
Range Statement
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 |
Health programs may include: | Screening activities relevant to community and regional needs Health promotion Health education and information sessions Research activities Ongoing follow-up Working with individuals and/or groups in line with community needs Working independently, as an organisation and/or as part of multi-disciplinary teams with other health professionals. |
Sectors
Not Applicable
Employability Skills
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Licensing Information
Not Applicable