Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine an Ayurvedic nutritional treatment strategy based on an existing diagnosis, provide relevant advice to the client and complete treatment documentation.
This unit applies to Ayurvedic practitioners working with clients to address specific therapeutic needs.
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. Establish dietary and nutritional plans | 1.1 Identify potential dietary modifications or nutritional supplements based on identified vrikruti and virudha ahara (lifestyle) from within the Ayurvedic framework 1.2 Assess inherited, congenital, acquired and seasonal factors that may be affecting nutritional status 1.3 Consider treatment and advice provided by other health care professionals 1.4 Determine any contraindications to dietary changes and supplement provisions and adjust plan accordingly 1.5 Take into consideration cultural factors and other possible client compliance issues 1.6 Establish timeframe, therapeutic expectations and evaluation mechanisms 1.7 Clearly document plan and its component parts using language to assist client interpretation |
2. Provide advice and resources to the client | 2.1 Clearly explain proposed dietary plan to client with rationale and expectations 2.2 Provide clear instructions, and negotiate if required 2.3 Explain factors which may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment 2.4 Negotiate the management of dietary modifications in relation to other current medicines 2.5 Request client to monitor responses to the supplements 2.6 Clarify and agree responsibilities of practitioner and client within the treatment plan 2.7 Explain and agree evaluation strategies |
3. Complete treatment documentation | 3.1 Accurately record details of dietary plans and recommendations in client file 3.2 Record arrangements for treatment review according to clinic guidelines |
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 400 hours of Ayurvedic client consultation work
prepared at least 40 different nutritional plans. Clients must include males and females from different stages of life with varied presentations, including:
dosha imbalances
ama
deficiency or excess in the dhatus, agni, malas, doshas and ojas
followed Ayurvedic principles by determining appropriate strategies based on the diagnosis and evaluation of:
nutritional status
physical, mental and emotional status
available medical data
particular client issues, addictions or preferences
contraindications
planned strategies to balance rajasic and tamasic gunnas, to reduce ama generation, to eliminate the excessive build up of doshas, to open all srotamsi, to maintain optimum agni, to restore balanace and ojas and to sustain health at all the four levels
interacted effectively with clients:
provided clear advice with rationale, expectations and affecting factors
explained and agreed treatment monitoring and evaluation
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 provision of nutritional advice:
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
principles of Ayurvedic nutrition and diet:
ahara, vihara aushadhi principle
prakruti and vikruti specific
variations necessary with the changing seasons
digestive processes
rasa, virya and vipaka, prabhawa and gunnas
agnis and their functions
shath rasa - the six tastes
tridosha theory
triguna theory and its relationship to food
virudha ahar
Ayurvedic food classifications, categories, composition and therapeutic uses:
fruit
vegetables
dairy
animal foods
oils
sweeteners
nuts and seeds
grains
beans and legumes
herbs and spices
best utility of ahara
gruels
virudha ahara
pratinidhi ahara
ahara to suit various prakruti and vikruti
types and features of culinary herbs and spices in Ayurveda
rasayana, vajikarana & chikitsa preparations
types and features of foods containing macronutrients and micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins
function of fibre in the body
types and features of foods that affect the mind and moods, and the body:
food additives
preservatives
colouring
alcohol/drug consumption
virudha ahar
fast food dependence
wrong diet choices for prakruti
Ayurvedic cooking and food preparation techniques for major food classifications
features of ama, its causes signs and symptoms (emotional, mental and physical)
nutritional supplements in the Ayurvedic framework:
main Ayurvedic nutritional supplements used for each system/condition/mind state
appropriate safe dosage levels for different groups
potential adverse effects
principles of formulation - including dosage, dosage form, and duration of treatment according to reference texts
drug-nutrient and nutrient-nutrient interactions
amino acids (essential and non-essential)
potential impact of supplementation on the condition or disease state, including preventative action
types of dietary modifications and their indications for use:
exclusions
inclusions
increased consumption
decreased consumption
environmental factors and their relationship to nutritional status, including:
pollution
demographic
rtucharya and sandhis
main types and culinary characteristics of diets that are part of contemporary Australian society
meaning of:
drug–food interactions
food allergy
food intolerance
key health and legal consequences of failing to address special requirements:
allergic reactions
anaphylaxis
food sensitivity or intolerance reactions
basic biochemistry as it relates to diet and nutrition – make up of carbohydrates, proteins, fats
contra-indications of treatment - in vikruti, particular seasons, diseases and age groups
principles and techniques for preparing nutritional plans to suit vikruti, with duration and costs
cultural restrictions on diet and nutritional supplementation
pathya kalpana (therapeutic nutrition) and preparation for:
manda (clear rice water)
peya (light rice soup)
yavagu (concentrated rice soup )
krsara (cooked wet rice with cereals)
yusha (mung dhal soup)
avaleha
brahma rasayana
ashwagandhadi lehyam
haritakyadi rasayana
chyawanprash
triphala rasayana
vilvadi lehyam
drakshavelha
bilvadilehyam
madhu
shilajatu rasayana
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:
client information
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
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
In addition, assessors must:
have at least 5 years current clinical experience working as an Ayurvedic practitioner providing services to the general public
hold practising membership of an Australian professional body that represents Ayurvedic practitioners
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