This unit of competency is applicable to Australian Defence Force (ADF) Health Care Providers

The provision of treatment relates specifically to the client's presenting complaint(s) and assessed common condition and injuries

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine treatment plan

1.1 Determine treatment options most suitable to the client's condition, based on clinical assessment

1.2 Ascertain contraindications to treatment

1.3 In determining the treatment plan, take into consideration treatment and advice provided by other health care providers

1.4 Take into consideration possible client compliance issues in relation to determining specific treatment options

1.5 Determine treatment plan according to the clinical assessment and therapeutic needs of the client according to clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and own clinical judgment

1.6 Recognise the need for referral where the client's condition requires treatment that is outside the scope or 'authority to practice', and refer client

2. Implement treatment plan

2.1 Explain treatment plan clearly and simply to the client

2.2 Give client the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns

2.3 Gain informed consent from client in accordance with clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures

2.4 Clarify responsibilities of health care provider and client within the treatment plan

2.5 Negotiate client compliance

2.6 Explain factors that may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment

2.7 Implement client care and treatments in accordance with personal hygiene and infection control procedures

2.8 Ask client to monitor responses to the treatment and to contact health care provider as required

2.9 Agree treatment evaluation/follow up strategies between the client and the health care provider

2.10 Record treatment in a manner that is easily read and interpreted by others and in accordance with organisation policy and procedure

3. Manage and review the treatment

3.1 Monitor responses to treatment and review against therapeutic expectations and record according to clinic guidelines

3.2 Evaluate progress with the client

3.3 Evaluate need for ongoing and/or additional treatment

3.4 Negotiate and agree changes to the treatment plan with the client to ensure optimal outcomes

3.5 Instigate additional treatment or referral for further examination as required

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

Assessing a medical emergency

Common condition disease processes

Contraindications of treatment

Medical tests and diagnostic procedures and the need for referral

Pathophysiology and disease processes

Presenting common condition and whether that phase is treatable within scope of practice

Principles of clinical assessment, prescribing, and case management

Referral procedure and pathways

Role of other health care providers and support services

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Apply treatments to seven different clients covering at least three common conditions listed in the range statement

Employ effective communication techniques during the client interview process

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:

Complete basic arithmetic calculations and record numbers

Manage medical emergencies

Manage time throughout consultation and treatment

Negotiate

Prioritise workload

Provide appropriate treatment

Read and interpret medical reports and other data relevant to the condition

Refer the client to a health care practitioner

Solve problems

Use available resources

Use equipment and resources competently and safely

Use interpersonal and questioning skills

Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills

Work with others and display empathy with clients and relatives

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 for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:

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 work

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

Resource implications

Assessment requires access to:

Clients presenting with common conditions

appropriate equipment and stores

relevant clinical guidelines and protocols

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of treatments that could be expected in the workplace

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Related units:

This unit should be assessed in conjunction with unit:

HLTDEFHC403B Conduct a clinical assessment

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.

Treatments may include:

Applying hot/cold therapy

Performing basic dressings and bindings

Performing basic clinical procedures

Prescribing and administering medication IAW clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols

Providing treatment advice

Referring the client for further clinical assessment and treatment

Clinical guidelines, organisation policies and procedures may include:

ADF nursing procedure manual

ADF treatment protocols

Clinical standards (state and national)

Industry professional bodies

Industry standards (state and national)

Organisation policy directives

Privacy Act

Relevant Australian Standards

Contraindications to treatment may include:

Ability or willingness to comply with treatment

Known medication allergies

Known medication hypersensitivity

Known medication contraindications and interactions

Personal or life circumstances

Traumatic injuries or conditions requiring immediate medical attention

Client compliance issues refers to:

Ability to follow instructions or suggestions

Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions

Common conditions and injuries may include:

Acute rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis

Bites and stings

Bowel constipation

Common cold

Contact dermatitis

Diarrhoea

Fever

Fungal and yeast infections of the skin

Headache

Influenza

Lip soreness

Miliaria (Pickly heat)

Motion sickness

Parasitic infestations of the skin

Pharyngitis

Worms/parasites infestations

Foreign body in eye

Skin injuries, such as blisters, lacerations, punctures, grazing, contusions or minor burns

Soft tissue injuries, such as haematoma, sprain, strain or overuse injuries

Personal hygiene and infection control procedures may include:

Australian and state standards and legislation

Industry standards

Organisation procedures

Standard precautions such as hand washing procedures

Direct instructions from supervisor

Ongoing and/or additional treatment may include:

Change of treatment regime

Change of frequency of treatment

Repetition of same treatment

This unit contains Employability Skills