Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to contribute to the nursing care and management of a person with a mental health condition.
This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.
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. Identify and address State/Territory mental health legislation requirements. | 1.1 Identify and correctly interpret the key features of mental health legislation as they apply to own work practices and the health care setting. 1.2 Describe the values and philosophies that apply to mental health care. 1.3 Support the rights of the person with a mental health condition. 1.4 Work in a manner that reflects the underpinning values and philosophies of mental health care and is consistent with legal obligations. |
2. Respond appropriately to signs of mental illness. | 2.1 Identify conditions relating to the mental state and behaviour of the person correctly, using broad classifications of mental illness and terms associated with mental health conditions. 2.2 Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and respond within the role of an enrolled nurse. 2.3 Recognise biopsychosocial effects of mental health conditions. 2.4 Recognise the impacts that discrimination, negative stereotyping and stigma can have on a person with mental illness, and ensure own interactions with the person are positive. 2.5 Use negotiation skills as required with the person who has a mental health condition. |
3. Contribute to care planning and conduct initial clinical observations for a person with a mental health condition. | 3.1 Undertake a risk assessment of the person, using recognised risk assessment methodology and under supervision of a registered nurse. 3.2 Participate in the interdisciplinary health care team and, within enrolled nurse role, assist to develop the plan of care for the person. 3.3 Observe and document the person’s behaviour, and identify signs and symptoms of reduced physical health and changes to behaviour. 3.4 Provide health promotion and educational strategies in accordance with organisation procedures when the person exhibits signs and symptoms of reduced physical health. 3.5 Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and liaise with service providers within enrolled nurse role to ensure resources and approaches used in care planning meet individual or group needs. 3.6 Apply recovery principles to nursing care with support from interdisciplinary team to maximise health outcomes for individuals and groups. |
4. Contribute to the recovery of a person with a mental health condition. | 4.1 Plan, prioritise and implement nursing interventions in collaboration with the person, registered nurse interdisciplinary health care team, and where appropriate, with the person’s family or carer. 4.2 Work in a manner that reflects respect for the person’s dignity and uniqueness, and use strategies to empower the person to contribute to their own plan of care. 4.3 Assist the person, their family or carer to participate in appropriate therapeutic interventions. 4.4 Confirm that the person understands the use, administration methods and possible effects of medications to be used including known specific adverse effects. 4.5 Advise the person, or their family or carer, on relevant community resources and opportunities, adapting the advice to individuals as required. 4.6 Support the person, as a valued member of the community to build on their own strengths and to take as much responsibility as possible for decisions that affect their lives. 4.7 Identify and apply principles of contemporary, evidenced-based nursing practice that reflect recovery-oriented care for a person who has a mental health condition. |
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:
undertaken nursing work in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia professional practice standards, codes and guidelines
analysed, planned and evaluated the health care of 2 people with a mental health condition, using health information and clinical presentation to reach a conclusion of possible nursing interventions appropriate to their mental health condition, and in consultation with a registered nurse in the workplace.
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:
application of nursing theory to a mental health context
social, psychological, cognitive and physical factors associated with mental health conditions
consumer and carer perspectives on mental health care
impact of stigma, discrimination, culture and belief systems on a person with a mental health condition
common mental health conditions by classification or disorder, and their treatment and management including:
mood disorders
personality disorders
anxiety disorders
psychoses
organic disorders
panic disorder
social phobia and specific phobias
obsessive-compulsive disorder
post-traumatic stress disorder
depression
bipolar disorder
eating disorders
borderline personality disorder
schizophrenia
dementia
delirium
anxiety disorder
appropriate response to a person in distress or crisis including:
applying appropriate communication skills with the person
identifying possible causal factors and addressing where possible
enlisting support and assistance from colleagues
common behaviours associated with a range of mental health conditions, and the effect of behaviours on the person and others
how to manage challenging behaviours including recognising triggers and deflecting them, using active listening and observation skills, ensuring effective communication and seeking expert assistance
the principles of recovery in the mental health context
national framework for recovery-orientated mental health services (Australian Government):
principles of recovery-oriented practice
evidence-based practice in the context of recovery
key features of the mental health legislation including:
objectives
involuntary admission
consumer rights
involuntary review processes
seclusion and restraint
admission procedures
community treatment orders
role of the mental health practitioner
consent
confidentiality
definition of key terms associated with mental illness
strategies for managing oral health issues and possible causes such as the side effects of medication, poor nutrition and reduced motivation for self-care.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources in line with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council’s Standards including
risk assessment tools appropriate to professional nursing practice
organisation policy and procedures on which the candidate bases the planning
modelling of industry operating conditions including access to real people for simulations and scenarios in enrolled nursing work.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
In addition, assessors must hold current registration as a registered nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
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.