Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to adapt remedial massage assessment and treatment strategies to meet the needs of clients of different genders and at different stages of life. It also includes the requirement to be able to identify and respond to other specific needs with which the practitioner may be unfamiliar.
This unit applies to remedial 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. Adapt assessment and treatment strategies to stages of life | 1.1 Anticipate and take account of client sensitivities to ensure client dignity is maintained 1.2 Tailor approaches that take account of different cognitive abilities of clients at different stages of life 1.3 Adjust physical processes to take account of client capabilities and physical body features 1.4 Recognise norms and deviations associated with age and gender 1.5 Obtain consents from others when appropriate |
2. Respond to unfamiliar presentations | 2.1 Recognise situations where presenting cases or aspects of presenting cases fall outside current knowledge base or expertise 2.2 Refer client to other practitioners when case is not appropriate to own scope of practice 2.3 Identify, access and interpret sources of additional information and advice when appropriate to continue with the case 2.4 Enhance own capacity to deal with the case by conducting case specific research 2.5 Integrate findings into client treatment plans and record details |
3. Extend and expand own knowledge base | 3.1 Pro-actively identify and respond to professional development opportunities 3.2 Develop and adjust work practices as part of ongoing practice development |
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 200 hours of massage client consultation work
managed at least 60 remedial massage assessment and treatment sessions - clients must include males and females from different stages of life with varied presentations
effectively adapted communication, assessment and treatment strategies to meet client needs
conducted case specific research for at least 3 cases, where key aspects of the condition are not known to the candidate
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 working with specific groups:
children in the workplace
codes of conduct
discrimination:
age
disability
racial
sex
duty of care
informed consent
mandatory reporting
practitioner/client boundaries
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries:
working within scope of practice
presenting symptoms that require referral to a medical practitioner
work health and safety
treatment management factors that must be considered for clients of different genders and at different stages of life:
case taking
variations in approach to physical examination
home recommendations
major developmental milestones for different stages of life
features of common health conditions that affect the following groups and how those conditions are assessed and treated in the remedial massage framework:
children
adolescents
adult females at different stages of life
adult males at different stages of life
factors for consideration when providing any form of palliative care
professional responsibilities when presenting cases fall outside of practitioner’s current scope, including:
when referral is appropriate or required
information and advice sources
case research techniques
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 – health assessment consultation forms, case history, treatment plan
private consultation area
adjustable height massage table
towels/sheets for draping
oils/balms
hot/cold packs
supports
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 150 of the 200 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 remedial massage therapist providing services to the general public
hold practising membership of an Australian professional body that represents remedial 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.