The knowledge and skills described in this competency unit are to be applied within jurisdictional nursing and midwifery regulatory authority legislative requirements Enrolled/Division 2 nursing work is to be carried out in consultation/collaboration with registered nurses and under direct or indirect supervisory arrangements in line with jurisdictional regulatory requirements |
Pre-requisite units | This unit must be assessed after successful achievement of pre-requisites: HLTAP501C Analyse health information HLTEN507C Administer and monitor medication in the work environment HLTEN509B Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice HLTEN512B Contribute to nursing care for clients with acute health problems HLTEN513B Contribute to nursing care for clients with chronic health problems HLTEN606B Assess clients and manage client care |
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Work as part of the rural multidisciplinary health care team | 1.1 Contribute appropriately to support the role of the rural multidisciplinary health care team in managing the care of clients 1.2 Contribute to achieving effective team work and supportive group dynamics when working with health care colleagues 1.3 Establish appropriate professional relationships with other members of the health care team 1.4 Recognise the contributions of community services outside the health team in supporting health care clients 1.5 Recognise the contributions of emergency service personnel, referring agencies, hospital and community team staff to the care needs of the rural client |
2. Clarify the impact of the rural client's treatment and rehabilitation on the client and/or their family | 2.1 Perform a holistic assessment of the client in consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse 2.2 Incorporate an understanding of anatomy and physiology into nursing practice 2.3 Work with a knowledge of the various manifestations of client's areas of dysfunction and associated pathophysiology of each clinical manifestation 2.4 Work with a knowledge of the impact of distance from specialist services and equipment 2.5 Support clients involved in telemedicine consultations 2.6 Discuss with the client the psychosocial impact of their health problems on their activities of daily living 2.7 Identify and discuss with the client and/or their family common problems and complications for rural clients 2.8 Communicate effectively with clients, family and health team members locally and in metropolitan treatment centres 2.9 Clarify the care needs of the rural client in terms of the phases of care required |
3. Address the health care needs of clients in the Australian rural environment | 3.1 Work with an understanding of the effects of distance and small community size on the health care services in rural environments 3.2 Work with an understanding of the significance of local culture and tradition on the health care requirements of rural clients 3.3 Work with an understanding of the significance of privacy and confidentiality in rural environments 3.4 Apply an understanding of funding arrangements for rural health service environments 3.5 Address documentation requirements to assist the funding that impacts on rural health care provision 3.6 In consultation/collaboration with the health care team, develop and implement health promotion activities for the local community 3.7 Provide a physically and psychologically safe environment for the rural client receiving inpatient or outpatient care |
4. Perform nursing interventions that support rural client health care needs | 4.1 Base nursing interventions on predetermined plans of care 4.2 Ensure nursing interventions reflect client's physical, psychological and social needs and individuality and are performed with dignity, privacy and respect for the client 4.3 Consider cultural, religious, gender and age issues in performing nursing interventions 4.4 Encourage the client and/or their family to assist with nursing interventions as appropriate 4.5 Use nursing interventions to assist the client to meet their activities of daily living 4.6 Identify and prioritise nursing interventions according to client needs 4.7 Ensure medication administration is based on sound knowledge of principles of drug actions and side effects in accordance with health unit policies and procedures 4.8 Implement nursing interventions in accordance with legal, professional, ethical and organisation requirements 4.9 Contribute to and support health teaching plans for the client in the rural health care environment |
5. Assist in the provision of emergency care | 5.1 Use contemporary assessment tools accurately 5.2 Ensure appropriate pre-, intra- and post-diagnostic procedures are undertaken in line with organisation policies and procedures 5.3 In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse provide nursing care in response to trauma and emergency medical conditions 5.4 Assist in the preparation of clients for transport by air or road ambulance 5.5 Report and document first aid/emergency treatment and client response to the treatment 5.6 Recognise and act upon emergency situations according to organisation policy and procedure and within legal and professional requirements |
6. Contribute to the quality and safety of rural health care | 6.1 In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse, use a problem solving framework to plan appropriate nursing management strategies 6.2 Modify nursing interventions using critical thinking and problem solving approaches, to reflect changes in client's condition 6.3 Assist with processes to evaluate the quality of nursing actions 6.4 Demonstrate ability to rapidly re-prioritise care activities in temporarily changed circumstances 6.5 Participate in organisation risk identification and risk management processes |
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: Admission and transfer to metropolitan acute care and aged and extended care facilities Client rights and responsibilities Critical thinking and problem solving Cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices Culturally appropriate health promotion activities Diagnostic tests and their meanings Emergency and first aid management Evidence based practice Factors influencing growth and development Factors influencing self esteem Health - illness continuum Legislation related to rural health care practice, including: Aged Care Act and criteria for admission to aged care facilities work health and safety (WHS) legislation Legal standards for practice Medical terminology Organisation policy and procedure Participating as a member of the health care team Philosophy of loss and grief Philosophy underpinning aged care and extended care management Principles of health assessment Reflective practice Research strategies and methodologies Specialised knowledge and depth of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of injuries, poisonings, and emergency medical conditions Specialised knowledge and execution relating to care of older clients Specialised knowledge in the clinical manifestations of chronic disease states |
Essential skills It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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 clinical nursing skills, including: fundamental and complex nursing interventions acute care of aged care client physical assessment neurological function specimen collection medication administration (including emergency medications) as per jurisdictional and legal requirements chest pain assessment and management addressing pressure area care needs addressing pain management needs Assessment, observation and documentation of neurovascular observations blood glucose monitoring pain scale or analogue observations nutritional status hydration respiratory function skin integrity Apply professional standards of practice: ANMC code of conduct ANMC code of ethics ANMC national Enrolled/Division 2 nurse competency standards state/territory Nurse Regulatory Nurses Act state/territory Nursing and Midwifery Regulatory Authority standards of practice scope of nursing practice decision making framework Apply principles of documentation to document planned nursing interventions Apply principles of rehabilitation Demonstrate accountability for personal outputs and broad client group outcomes. Maintain effective symptom management Maintain evidence based practice in line with current literature and work of professional bodies associated with rural clients Recognise and address needs of client and significant others in relation to grief and loss Recognise and address religious and cultural needs of client and significant others continued ... |
Essential skills (contd) Use interpersonal skills to work with others, use sensitivity when dealing with people and relate to persons from differing cultural, social and religious backgrounds Use appropriate communication skills (non-verbal, openness, sensitivity, non-judgmental attitudes): oral communication skills (language competence) required to fulfil job roles as specified by the organisation/service, including interviewing techniques, asking questions, active listening, asking for clarification written communication skills (literacy competence) required to fulfil job roles as specified by organisation/service, ranging from reading and understanding client documentation to completion of written reports |
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 Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse |
Context of and specific resources for assessment: | This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions prior to assessment in the workplace Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible |
Method of assessment | Observation in the work place Written assignments/projects Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice. Questioning - verbal and writing Role play/simulation |
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 |
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. | |
Multidisciplinary health care team members could include: | Rural client and their significant others General Practitioners Nurses Social workers Physiotherapists Dieticians Community services |
Health care settings could include: | Residential aged care facilities Extended care settings Hospital - private or public Short stay centres Respite centres Community centres Day Centres |
Plans of care may include: | Nursing care plans Clinical pathways Treatment plans Medical notes Community referrals Admission and transfer Rehabilitation plans |
Legal and ethical issues include: | Rights and responsibilities of clients Consent Power of attorney Medical Power of attorney Advocacy Elder abuse Restraint Advanced health directives Ethical principles |
Specific nursing interventions/clinical skills could include: | Foundation nursing interventions Complex nursing interventions Management of permanent and temporary mechanical ventilation including suctioning and bagging Wound care Skin care including - assessment and management of skin care Health teaching in relation to client care needs Pain management Manual handling Co ordination of clinical care Assessment of oxygen saturation levels Rehabilitative care practices |
Evaluation of planned care includes: | Level of independence in performance of activities of daily living Participation in rehabilitation programs Self management of symptoms |
Not Applicable
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Not Applicable