This unit is intended to address additional skills and knowledge required by those working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities to deliver specific health care services and is available only within the context of qualifications in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health |
Pre-requisites | This unit must be assessed after successful achievement of pre-requisites: HLTAHW401B Assess client's physical wellbeing HLTAHW403B Plan and implement health care in a primary health care context |
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA | |
1. Assist clients to make informed choices on renal replacement therapy | 1.1 Provide information on renal failure and renal replacement therapy options to clients with chronic renal failure and their families in consultation with the health care team 1.2 Identify appropriate health education resources on renal disease dialysis and transplantation and provide to clients 1.3 Provide information and practical assistance to renal clients who need to travel to distant referral centres for assessment, treatment or training 1.4 Provide current and potential future dialysis 'helpers' with information and support in their role 1.5 Support client access to specialist nephrology care | |
2. Measure hydration status of renal dialysis clients | 2.1 Obtain history of shortness of breath or postural dizziness 2.2 Measure 'wet' or 'dry' weight and compare with ideal body weight 2.3 Elicit physical signs of fluid overload 2.4 Interpret client weight, blood pressure and other clinical signs to determine hydration status 2.5 Revise ideal body weight estimates in consultation with senior staff 2.6 Document assessments in accordance with organisational policies and procedures | |
3. Undertake routine pathology testing for dialysis clients | 3.1 Provide information on routine dialysis tests to clients in plain language 3.2 Collect blood specimens and complete pathology request forms according to standard protocols 3.3 Interpret routine test results and give basic client feedback 3.4 Refer abnormal test results to medical staff for action | |
4. Support renal clients to access and use medicines wisely | 4.1 Provide clients with plain language information on mechanisms of action, dosing and common side effects of medicines commonly used in dialysis care 4.2 Identify potential drug interactions, special precautions, contraindications and side-effects and refer to a medical practitioner 4.3 Administer medicine by oral and intramuscular routes in accordance with medicine orders, organisation policies and procedures and legal framework 4.4 Support and monitor client adherence to medicines regimen 4.5 Provide assistance with supply of medicines and use of dose administration aids according to client needs 4.6 Keep records of chronic medicines supply and administration in accordance with organisation policies and procedures | |
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: Organisation policies and procedures relating to client confidentiality Basic anatomy and physiology of the renal system Common causes of chronic renal failure (diabetes, glomerulonephritis, hypertension, urinary tract obstruction, inherited abnormalities) Underlying environmental and social factors contributing to high rates of renal disease in Aboriginal communities Management principles for common co-morbidities (including diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia) Factors that can slow decline of renal function (eg: control of high blood pressure, use of ACE inhibitors, avoidance of NSAIDS) Microbiology relevant to peritoneal, blood and skin infection in renal disease Pathophysiology of chronic renal failure: fluid retention and pulmonary oedema electrolyte balance and hazards of high potassium calcium metabolism and renal bone disease anaemia Signs and symptoms of uraemia and fluid retention Meaning and interpretation of common pathology tests for chronic renal failure and dialysis Haemodialysis technology - theory, machine components, terminology, infrastructure requirements, risks and benefits Peritoneal dialysis - theory, terminology, procedures, risks and benefits Different types of renal dialysis unit and their function (eg: tertiary in-centre, satellite units, community/home-based dialysis) Nutritional considerations for renal dialysis clients Medicines in common use in management of chronic renal failure including basic mechanisms of action, precautions and side effects |
Essential skills: It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to: Provide information, guidance and support to clients and their families in relation to health management options and issues for clients with chronic renal failure Provide support and guidance to dialysis clients 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 apply skills in: Recognise situations requiring immediate or urgent action Work with other members of multi-disciplinary team to ensure actions determined in the client's care plan are carried out and documented Mathematical calculation (eg: differences between weight measures, calculation of doses) Communicate effectively with client and ensure understanding Holistically evaluate impact of renal dialysis treatment on client's physical, mental and emotional condition and behaviour Monitor outcomes of renal dialysis treatment and medication regimes Administer medicines by oral and intramuscular routes Contribute to evaluation of client's prescribed treatment/ care plan Make timely and appropriate referrals, providing accurate and relevant details to clients and referral agencies Reflect on and improve own level and application of skills and knowledge to achieve desirable outcomes and maintain own capabilities |
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 unit: | This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the related unit: HLTAHW514B Provide care to clients undertaking renal dialysis in the community setting |
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 wellbeing, 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 |
Renal replacement therapy includes: | Haemodialysis Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis Kidney transplantation |
Physical signs of fluid overload include: | Dyspnoea and tachypnoea Ankle oedema Crackles on lung auscultation |
Signs of exit site infection include: | Soiling of exit site dressing Blood-stained or pus discharge Exit site redness and tenderness |
Signs of catheter tunnel infection include: | Expressible pus or discharge Tenderness, redness or pustules over peritoneal catheter tunnel |
Appropriate exit site care includes: | Washing in shower and padding dry with gauze Application of topical antiseptic Correct placement of anchor tape Application of adhesive absorbent dressing Securing redundant tubing |
Signs suggesting fistula stenosis or infection include: | Absent or reduced bruit or thrill Low 'a' or high 'v' pressure readings during haemodialysis Redness, tenderness or discharge |
Routine pathology testing for dialysis clients include | Haemoglobin and blood counts Serum creatinine, potassium, calcium and phosphate Parathyroid hormone Iron studies |
Medicines commonly used in dialysis care include: | Common antihypertensive medicines Common lipid lowering agents Phosphate binders (calcium salts) Erythropoetin Calcitriol |
Clinical features suggestive of dialysis-related peritonitis include: | Abdominal pain/tenderness Fever Turbid or cloudy dialysate return |
Causes of peritoneal fluid failing to drain include: | Fibrin plugs Constipation Dialysate not instilled |
Clinical features of uraemia include: | Lethargy Nausea Confusion Uraemic smell |
Hazards associated with haemodialysis after a number of missed dialysis sessions include: | Severe headache Fitting |
Dialysis consumables include | Dialysate fluids Machine lines and dialysers Needles and syringes Normal saline Dressing supplies and tapes Peritoneal catheter caps Antiseptic and cleaning supplies |
Appropriate storage arrangements for dialysis consumables include: | Safe from environmental hazards (sun, water, rodents) Secure from young children Accessible for stock-take, resupply and daily use |
Information provided to client may include: | Normal structure and functioning of the renal system, kidneys and blood Causes of renal failure Physical symptoms of renal failure Different renal replacement treatment options and advantages/disadvantages How kidney transplantation is done and what is involved Information about self-care, including: Dietary requirements and rationale Fluid requirements Medication regime Looking after fistula sites Recognising common dialysis problems |
Specific reference for work in this area: | National Guidelines for the Management of Dialysis&Kidney Transplantation in Remote Australia |
Not Applicable
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Not Applicable