Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to gather client information, make a physical assessment of the body and determine massage treatment options.
This unit applies to massage therapists providing general health maintenance treatments. It does not include remedial massage assessment techniques.
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. Determine scope of client needs | 1.1 Clarify client expectations 1.2 Provide clear information about scope and limits of services to be provided 1.3 Collect accurate, relevant and organised health record and document in a form which can be interpreted readily by other professionals 1.4 Recognise needs that are beyond scope of own practice, and make referrals to other health care professionals as required 1.5 Identify and respond to any barriers to information gathering and assessment 1.6 Seek client information respectfully and sensitively, using purposeful, systematic and diplomatic questions 1.7 Manage information in a confidential and secure way |
2. Make a physical assessment | 2.1 Advise client about the physical assessment process and obtain client consent to proceed 2.2 Follow clinical and practitioner hygiene protocols 2.3 Respect client dignity and anticipate potential sensitivities 2.4 Seek client feedback on comfort levels throughout assessment process 2.5 Assess client through palpation, observation and range of motion (ROM) testing 2.6 Identify and respond to contra-indications to massage treatment 2.7 Accurately document assessment findings |
3. Determine and communicate treatment approach | 3.1 Determine treatment needs by integrating findings from physical assessment, observation and communication 3.2 Discuss assessment and rationale for treatment with the client 3.3 Respond to client enquiries using language the client understands 3.4 Discuss referral and collaborative options with the client as required |
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:
performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 80 hours of massage client consultation work
prepared for and managed at least 40 massage assessments - clients must include males and females from different stages of life with varied presentations
completed physical assessments using palpation, observation and active, passive and resisted ROM testing
interacted effectively with clients:
clearly articulated information about services, treatment options and rationale
engaged clients in decision making
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:
legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) for client assessment:
codes of conduct
duty of care
informed consent
mandatory reporting
practitioner/client boundaries
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
working role boundaries
working within scope of practice
presenting symptoms that require referral to a medical practitioner
work health and safety
referral options for massage practitioners, including:
professional health services including complementary health modalities
community resources and support services
factors and barriers that may impact on massage assessment:
physical
psychological
cultural
factors that affect individual health status:
age
gender
constitution
lifestyle
diet
personal and medical history
values and attitudes
balance of rest and activity
physical environment
social environment
client information required prior to physical assessment, including:
case history
client expectations
considerations for performing physical massage assessments:
environment
equipment
client privacy
client instructions
physical assessment techniques, how and when they are used, including:
postural assessment
range of motion (active, passive and resisted)
palpation
contraindications to treatment and possible indications for referral, including:
protracted pain or pain which is non re-producible or neural in origin
fatigue
circulatory disorders
inflammation
lumps and tissue changes
rashes and changes in the skin
oedema
mood alterations
infection
changes in habits such as appetite elimination or sleep
bleeding and bruising
nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
temperature-hot or cold
major muscle anatomy, including:
surface anatomy
origin and insertion
palpable bony landmarks
reciprocal inhibition, antagonist/agonist, synergists
actions including individual actions, planes and synergistic groups of the following muscles:
temporalis
masseter
frontalis
sternocleidomastoid
trapezius
levator scapulae
latissimus dorsi
supraspinatus
infraspinatus
teres major
teres minor
subscapularis
rhomboids
pectoralis major
pectoralis minor
rectus abdominis
quadratus lumborum
psoas
erector spinae
gluteus maximus
gluteus medius
piriformis
quadriceps
tibialis anterior
peroneals
hamstrings
adductor magnus
adductor longus
gastrocnemius
soleus
deltoid
biceps brachii
triceps brachii
flexor carpi radialus
flexor carpi ulnaris
palmaris longus
pronator teres
brachioradialis
extensor carpi radialis
supinator
skeleton:
bones of the body
major bony landmarks
surface anatomy and palpable bony landmarks
bone growth and remodelling
joints:
joint classifications – fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial (glide, plane, ball/socket, saddle, hinge, condyloid, pivot)
joint actions
physiology:
soft tissue:
muscle contraction
muscle physiology (reflexes, chemistry, proprioceptors)
tendons and ligaments
fascia
hard tissue:
bone growth and development
abnormal bone growth
recognition of in terms of contra-indications:
inflammation (cardinal signs, physiology at cellular level)
injury and wound healing (acute/chronic, stages, grades)
pain types
tendinopathy
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated clinical environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
client information – case history
private consultation area
adjustable height massage table
towels/sheets for draping
oils/balms
hot/cold packs
bolsters
modelling of industry operating conditions, including provision of services to the general public
clinic supervision by a person who meets the assessor requirements outlined below for at least 60 of the 80 hours of client consultation work
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
In addition, assessors must:
have current clinical experience working as a massage therapist providing services to the general public
hold practising membership of an Australian professional body that represents massage therapists
fulfil the continuing professional development requirements of the professional body to which they belong
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.