Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish the foundations of massage practice, evaluate what makes a sustainable practice and then to develop an approach to own practice.
This unit applies to massage therapists.
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 foundations of massage practice | 1.1 Identify, access and interpret information on the central philosophies of massage practice 1.2 Evaluate the massage system of treatment and its application to current health issues 1.3 Compare and contrast massage, other complementary health modalities and broader health practice |
2. Represent the massage framework | 2.1 Determine information needs of different individuals and groups 2.2 Identify key messages that represent the philosophy and practice of massage 2.3 Communicate information about massage at level of depth appropriate to audience needs |
3. Determine requirements for sustainable massage practice | 3.1 Identify key issues that affect the development and sustainability of professional practice 3.2 Identify economic, environmental, human and social considerations, and their impact on professional practice 3.3 Establish a personal health strategy that supports massage practice 3.4 Access, interpret and collate current information that supports professional practice |
4. Develop approach to own practice | 4.1 Reflect on professional goals and aspirations 4.2 Identify and assess professional opportunities in massage 4.3 Reflect on the opportunities and constraints of individual personal circumstances 4.4 Make decisions about practice direction, based on reflection and research 4.5 Develop practical strategies that address own practice goals |
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:
used critical thinking skills to:
review and reflect on information from a range of sources about massage practice
evaluate and articulate requirements for sustainable massage practice
communicated key messages about massage therapy to meet the information needs of at least 3 different individuals or groups
developed goals for own practice that reflect the values and philosophies of massage therapy
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:
historical development of massage
different types of massage treatments and their key features and purpose, including the difference between relaxation and remedial massage
key features of complementary therapies used in conjunction with massage, including:
aromatherapy
reflexology
key features of allied health services and their relationship to massage, including:
physiotherapy
osteopathy
chiropractic
exercise physiology
dietetics
naturopathy
place of massage practice in the broader health care system
professional massage networks and industry bodies
different models of professional massage practice and their employment opportunities
components of sustainable practice:
economic – opportunities and viability
environmental
human – personal health, professional development
social responsibility
legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) and how these are applied in individual practice:
children in the workplace
codes of conduct
continuing professional education
discrimination
dignity of risk
duty of care
human rights
informed consent
insurance requirements
mandatory reporting
practitioner/client boundaries
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
work health and safety
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources
modelling of industry operating conditions and contingencies
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
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.