HLTARO003
Perform aromatherapy health assessments


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the needs of clients presenting with therapeutic needs. It requires the ability to gather client information, make an overall assessment about treatment needs and bring information together to develop a treatment plan.

This unit applies to clinical aromatherapists.

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 describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Determine scope of client needs

1.1 Explore and clarify client expectations

1.2 Provide clear information about scope and limits of services to be provided

1.3 Collect accurate and relevant information and record in a form which can be interpreted readily by other professionals

1.4 Recognise needs that are beyond scope of own practice and make referrals to other health care professionals as required

1.5 Identify and respond to any barriers to information gathering and assessment

1.6 Seek client information respectfully and sensitively, using purposeful, systematic and diplomatic questions

1.7 Manage information in a confidential and secure way

2. Assess presenting signs and symptoms of condition

2.1 Provide information about the physical assessment process and obtain client consent to proceed

2.2 Follow clinical and practitioner hygiene procedures

2.3 Seek client feedback on comfort levels and maintain client dignity at all times

2.4 Assess client through palpation

2.5 Integrate observation and sensory information gathering techniques

2.6 Use ongoing questioning with client to gain further information as required

3. Develop holistic aromatherapy treatment plan

3.1 Correlate results of physical assessment of presenting condition with case history

3.2 Consider available western medical or current aromatherapy research information and incorporate into analysis within scope of own practice

3.3 Identify condition according to stage and related implications

3.4 Identify indication or contraindication precautions determined by assessment as part of treatment planning

3.5 Select appropriate aromatherapy compounds in accordance with optimal methods of administration based on client assessment indications

3.6 Determine dose, duration and frequency of treatments

3.7 Use professional judgement to draw sound conclusions about treatment needs

3.8 Accurately document proposed treatment plan

4. Confirm assessment and treatment plan with client

4.1 Discuss assessment and rationale with the client

4.2 Assign and agree priorities and expectations in consultation with the client

4.3 Respond to client enquiries using language the client understands

4.4 Discuss referral and collaborative options with the client as required

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:

performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 120 hours of aromatherapy client consultation work

prepared for and managed at least 60 different aromatherapy assessments. Clients must include males and females from different stages of life with varied presentations

used an aromatherapy framework to assess the therapeutic needs of clients using all of the following techniques:

observation

palpation

skin inspection

interacted effectively with clients:

clearly articulated information about services, treatment options and rationale

engaged clients in decision making


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) for client assessment:

codes of conduct

duty of care

informed consent

mandatory reporting

practitioner/client boundaries

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

work role boundaries

working within scope of practice

presenting symptoms that require referral to a medical practitioner

work health and safety

referral options for practitioners:

professional health services including complementary health modalities

community resources and support services

types and availability of further medical testing

factors and barriers that may impact on assessment

physical

psychological

cultural

factors that affect individual health status:

constitution

lifestyle

diet

personal and medical history

values and attitudes

balance of rest and activity

physical environment

social environment

client information required for assessment and the scope and depth of information needed around:

client objectives and expectations

client history and its components

client current state of health

signs and symptoms

onset

duration

location

quality and severity

non-verbal

different ways that signs and symptoms of conditions present and how these are interpreted in an aromatherapy framework:

physical

psychological

social

spiritual

aromatherapy diagnostic techniques, how and when they are used

observation

palpation

skin inspection

ways in which aromatic plant oils and carrier mediums enter the body:

absorption

metabolism

olfactory

respiratory

orally

via other orifices

degree to which different oils penetrate the epidermis

how essential oils interact with different body systems, including:

integumentary system

respiratory system

neuroendocrine system

immune system

features of aromatic plant oils that benefit disorders of different body systems:

integumentary (eczema, psoriasis, burns, wounds)

respiratory

nervous (olfactory, limbic)

circulatory

muscular

digestive

reproductive

endocrine

aromatherapy materia medica, including the properties and therapeutic uses of at least 60 essential oils

indicators for the use of different administration methods, including:

massage

baths

vapourisation

compresses

topical applications

possible reactions, contra-indications to treatment and/or limitations for aromatherapy assessment and treatment

relational dynamics within and between human behaviour, anatomy and physiology, pathology and the natural world

treatment planning techniques and considerations


Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated clinical environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

health assessment consultation forms

private consultation area

modelling of industry operating conditions, including provision of services to the general public

clinic supervision by a person who meets the assessor requirements outlined below for at least 80 of the 120 hours of client consultation work

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

In addition, assessors must:

have at least 3 years current experience working as a clinical aromatherapist providing services to the general public

hold practising membership of an Australian professional body that represents clinical aromatherapists

fulfil the continuing professional development requirements of the professional body to which they belong


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