HLTHOM609D
Provide specific homoeopathic assessment and care

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide homœopathic assessment and care specific to common conditions in each stage of life

Application

This unit applies to work in homœopathy


Prerequisites

Not Applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Provide specific assessment and care for children and adolescents

1.1 Take the case with specific reference to the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

1.2 Obtain consent from a parent/guardian/care giver prior to a physical examination of a minor

1.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

1.4 Assess the health of clients according to standard guidelines relating to age, and with regard to conditions common to their age, gender and/or particular state

1.5 Give specific consideration to any deviations from the normal percentiles or developmental norms for the age group

1.6 Develop a treatment plan according to findings

1.7 Implement the treatment plan

1.8 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations according to clinic guidelines

1.9 Organise and document follow up visit/s according to clinic guidelines

1.10 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

2. Provide specific assessment and care for adult females

2.1 Take the case with specific reference to the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

2.2 Obtain consent from the client or parent/ guardian/care giver prior to a physical examination

2.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

2.4 Assess the health of the client according to standard guidelines relating to age, and with regard to conditions common to their age, gender and/or particular state

2.5 Give specific consideration to the reproductive system and function

2.6 Develop a treatment plan according to findings

2.7 Implement the treatment plan

2.8 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations according to clinic guidelines

2.9 Organise and document follow up visit/s according to clinic guidelines

2.10 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

3. Provide specific assessment and care for adult males

3.1 Take the case with specific reference to the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

3.2 Obtain consent from the client or parent/guardian/care giver prior to commencing a physical examination

3.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

3.4 Assess the health of the client according to standard guidelines relating to age, and with regard to conditions common to their age, gender and/or particular state

3.5 Give specific consideration to the reproductive system and function

3.6 Develop a treatment plan according to findings

3.7 Implement the treatment plan

3.8 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations according to clinic guidelines

3.9 Organise and document follow up visit/s according to clinic guidelines

3.10 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

4. Provide specific assessment and care for the elderly

4.1 Take the case with specific reference to the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

4.2 Obtain consent from the client or guardian/care giver prior to commencing a physical examination

4.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

4.4 Assess the health of clients according to standard guidelines relating to age, and with regard to conditions common to their age, gender and/or particular state

4.5 Give specific consideration to the client's memory, cognitive ability and care requirements

4.6 Develop a treatment plan according to findings

4.7 Implement the treatment plan

4.8 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations according to clinic guidelines

4.9 Organise and document follow up visit/s according to clinic guidelines

4.10 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

5. Provide specific assessment and palliative care

5.1 Take the case with specific reference to the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

5.2 Obtain consent from the client or parent/guardian/care giver prior to commencing a physical examination

5.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

5.4 Assess the vitality of the clients according to standard guidelines relating to age, and with regard to their age, gender and/or particular state

5.5 Give specific consideration to the client's fears, expectations, any distressing or painful symptoms, immediate and future care requirements

5.6 Obtain information on the medical diagnosis, prognosis, potential risks and relevant tests

5.7 Develop a treatment plan according to findings

5.8 Implement the treatment plan

5.9 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations according to clinic guidelines

5.10 Organise and document follow up visit/s according to clinic guidelines

5.11 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

5.12 Negotiate strategies for continued support and communication with the client and carers through the dying process

5.13 Provide referrals to other supportive treatments or services if appropriate

6. Provide specific assessment and prophylactic care

6.1 Take the case with reference to the age, particular state and/or specific situation of the client

6.2 Obtain consent from the client or, in the case of a minor, from a parent/guardian/care giver prior to commencing a physical examination

6.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state of the client

6.4 Assess the health of clients with regard to conditions common to their age and/or specific situation

6.5 Give specific consideration is given to client's prophylaxis issues, options available for their specific situation, and access to health care services

6.6 Develop a treatment plan according to findings

6.7 Implement the treatment plan

6.8 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations according to clinic guidelines

6.9 Explain instructions for taking prophylactic medicine

6.10 Provide additional information on infection control procedures and management strategies for acute infections, if appropriate

6.11 Organise and document follow up visit/s according to clinic guidelines

6.12 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

Required Skills

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:

A range of therapeutic alternatives

Allopathic management strategies for terminal conditions

Allopathic treatments for a range of common conditions

Anatomy and physiology relating to normal neonatal development and childhood, puberty and adolescence, pregnancy and fœtal development, and ageing

Basic counselling, with specific reference to grief, death and dying

Common conditions affecting children, males, non-pregnant and pregnant females, and the aged

Common infectious and notifiable diseases

Common pathology tests and ability to evaluate the results

Common physical manifestations of terminal diseases

Ethical issues in medicine

Homœopathic posology

Homœopathic repertorial methods

Homœopathic repertorial methods

Infection control procedures

Knowledge and understanding of the central philosophies, principles and practice of homœopathy

Legislative requirements pertaining to notifiable diseases

Legislative requirements pertaining to palliative care

Legislative requirements pertaining to the treatment of minors

Materia medica of sufficient scope and depth (derivation of data, systems of classification, keynotes, clinical indications) to enable
accurate differentiation of indicated medicines in a broad range of acute
and chronic conditions

Work health and safety (WHS) requirements in the workplace

Susceptibility and sensitivity

The principles and tools of homœopathic practice

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:

Accurately identify client information needs

Accurately record details of client treatment

Communicate in one-to-one and group settings in an appropriate manner

Communicate with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

Conduct an age/gender specific external physical examination with minimal internal examination: eyes, ears, nose and throat

Conduct an external physical examination and internal inspection of eyes, ears, nose and throat

Conduct research

Differentiate most appropriate posology for a range of common conditions

Explain relevant services

Implement treatment plans to achieve the best possible therapeutic outcome for the client, which may involve:

complete documentation of all recommendations and client responses

demonstrated application of established homœopathic clinical practices

provision of homœopathic medicine(s)

referral to another health care professional

review of treatment plan

treatment according to client's condition and presence of complicating factors

treatment of a range of conditions/disease states

use of counseling as a treatment method, where competence exists

Provide client with required information

Provide homœopathic treatment in a specific manner

Provide palliative treatment honestly and with compassion and respect for the client and carers

Use age appropriate communication skills in a one-to-one and group setting

Work or model work which demonstrates an understanding of underpinning values and philosophies in the homœopathic framework

Evidence Required

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 the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

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

Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender

Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:

interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace

scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units

holistic/integrated assessment including:

working within the practice framework

performing a health assessment

assessing the client

planning treatment

providing treatment

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

Relevant texts or medical manuals

Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments

Appropriate assessment environment

Skilled assessors

Infection control equipment

Method of assessment

Observation in the work place (if possible)

Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice

Short tests and essays

Oral questioning and discussion

Actual or simulated clinical encounters

Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision

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 the following related units:

HLTHOM604C Perform clinical screening examination

HLTHOM608C Provide homoeopathic treatment and manage the case

HLTHOM610C Take the homœopathic case


Range Statement

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.

Case taking may include specific reference to:

Physical and/or developmental issues specific to age group, gender, and/or particular state

Mental and/or emotional issues specific to age group, gender, and/or particular state

Social issues specific to age group, gender, and/or particular state

Family and personal medical history

Level of dependence and requirements for care

Level of understanding of relevant issues and options

Access to care and/or support services

Known pathology and associated medical treatments and tests

Particular state may include:

Neonate (birth to 28 days) or infancy

Prepubescent

Pubescent

Post-pubescent

Non pregnant female

Pregnant female

Lactating female

Peri menopausal female

Post menopausal female

Senescence

Advanced pathology

Consent means:

Informed consent according to local and national regulations and legal guidelines

In the case of a minor or a ward of the State that an appropriate adult be present during any examination

Normal percentiles or developmental norms may refer to:

Apgar score, birth weight

Growth patterns and changes in the pattern of growth over a series of measurements

Height, weight and head circumference measurements

Tanner's scale of maturisation

Major milestones in development

Personal and social skills, fine motor skills, general motor skills and language development

Standard milestone chart

Treatment plan may include:

Homœopathic medicine according to the phase/stage of disease and presenting complaint

Homœopathic medicine(s) for prophylactic care over time

Counselling

Information on breastfeeding and/or alternative feeding methods and weaning

Information on toilet training or bladder reprogramming exercises

Information on methods of contraception and safe sex practices

Advice on personal hygiene

Advice on infection control

Advice on nutrition and/or dietary supplements

Advice on removing obstacles to cure

Referral to other health care professional/support services

Therapeutic expectations may include:

Amelioration

Aggravation

Palliation of incurable condition

Progression of disease

No response

Protection from contacted disease

Clinic guidelines may include:

Procedures and guidelines

Purpose or mission statement

Code of ethics or practice

Agreed practice

Follow up visit/s may include:

Clinic consultations

Telephone or email communications

Home visits

Hospice/hospital visits

Assessment of client vitality may include:

Vital signs

Physical reflexes

Energy levels

Sleep pattern

Sensitivity to drugs and/or homœopathic medicines

Other supportive treatment or services may include:

Body work -massage, Reiki, kinesiology, etc

Remedial therapy

Aromatherapy

Acupuncture

Cancer or AIDS support foundations

Local palliative care associations

Counsellors

Nursing community care services

Lactation consultants

Specific situation may include:

Travel plans

Remote location

Desire/need for alternative to routine immunisation

Desire/need for acute self-care

Prophylaxis issues may include:

Client's need for protection

Client's beliefs and wishes regarding immunisation and/or homœopathic prophylaxis

Client's current state of health

Client's past experiences with immunisation and/or homœopathic prophylaxis

Social pressures and expectations

Instructions for taking the prophylactic medicine must include:

Signs and symptoms indicating the need for a specific medicine

Route of administration - ingestion, olfaction, application

When - time of day in relation to food and/or other medications

Frequency - single dose or repeated doses, interval between doses

Self-monitoring - cessation, reporting aggravations or new symptoms

Any additional instructions specific to the method of administration - eg dilution, plussing


Sectors

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

This unit contains Employability Skills


Licensing Information

Not Applicable