This unit applies to work undertaken within a naturopathic framework |
Not Applicable
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Determine the scope of the assessment and the client's needs | 1.1 Establish client's purpose for consultation and identify symptoms experienced 1.2 Determine client's eligibility for service using clinic/personal policies 1.3 Explain services able to be provided and limits of available services clearly. 1.4 Explore and clarify client's expectation of the service/clinic 1.5 Identify factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment in consultation with the client and implement strategies to minimise the effects of these factors wherever possible 1.6 Define personal abilities, level of professional competence and parameters of role to the client and ensure they determine practice at all times 1.7 Refer clients are referred to other health care providers where their needs are identified as beyond the scope of the services able to be provided, or if in the opinion of the practitioner the needs of the clients are best met by doing so 1.8 Identify and promote legal rights of the client are identified and promoted |
2. Obtain and record an accurate history of the client | 2.1 Seek information required from the client for the client's history is sought in an respectful way with all enquiries asked in a purposeful, systematic and diplomatic manner 2.2 Collect and record accurate, relevant and well organised information in a form which can be interpreted readily by other professionals 2.3 Treat information as confidential and store securely |
3. Manage the health assessment | 3.1 Obtain informed client consent prior to conducting tests in accordance with legislative requirements 3.2 Pursue and investigate abnormal findings in a deliberate, logical and appropriate manner 3.3 Assess reliability of data obtained and establish appropriate clinical correlation with the client's complaints where possible 3.4 Use questions to clarify results and gain further information in a manner relevant to the client's needs and test results 3.5 Base any decision to carry out laboratory tests on the integration of previously obtained clinical data and history 3.6 Adhere to the protocol required by the agency in ordering tests 3.7 Allow adequate time during consultation to gather critical information 3.8 Identify and minimise factors that may interfere with the information gathering process 3.9 Identify, establish and routinely observe essential requirements for the maintenance of clinical and practitioner hygiene 3.10 Anticipate potential sensitivities of the client, adapt approach accordingly to take these into account and take steps to ensure the client's dignity are maintained at all times |
4. Make a comprehensive assessment of the client | 4.1 Identify signs of disease/condition and further observations according to naturopathic framework 4.2 Elicit specific details of signs and symptoms of the presenting complaint/s 4.3 Use other appropriate assessment techniques 4.4 Accurately record all information in a systematic manner in accordance with clinic guidelines |
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: Anatomical terminology and levels of organisation Anatomical systems (knowledge and understanding) including cardiovascular (including haemopoetic) including vascular system, spleen, heart and pericardium, systemic arteries, systemic veins, portal veins, and foetal circulation ENT and special senses including hearing and equilibration, vision, smell, and taste gastrointestinal including mouth, salivary glands, tongue, pharynx, oesophagus, abdomen and peritoneum, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, biliary system, and pancreas lymphatic including thoracic viscera, abdominal and pelvic viscera, alimentary tract, urinary and genital systems, trunk and limbs, deep and superficial lymph nodes muscoskeletal including muscles, bones, cartilage, joints, head, upper trunk, upper limb, pelvis, and lower limb nervous including peripheral, autonomic and central nervous systems respiratory including larynx, trachea, lungs and mediastinum, and pleura urogenital (reproductive and urinary) and endocrine including kidneys, ureter and bladder, male genital organs, female genital organs, thyroid, parathyroid glands, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, and thymus gland Anatomy and physiology according to various stages of life Biochemistry Critical information required for diagnosis and treatment according to naturopathic framework Ethical and legal implications of enquiry Physiology including basic physiology including physiology of muskoskeletal system - muscles, posture and movement cardiovascular system including heart, and circulation ENT and other senses including hearing and equilibration, vision, smell, and taste gastrointestinal including motility, secretions, movement of food, digestion and absorption general physiology including cell structure and function, metabolism, and levels of organisation in the body lymphatic system including lymph, immunity and allergy nervous system including central, peripheral and automatic nervous systems respiratory system including pulmonary function urogenital and endocrine including renal function, micturition, extracellular fluid, metabolism, thyroid gland, hormones, and reproduction continued ... |
Essential knowledge (contd): Pathophysiology and disease processes of common clinical diseases and interactivity between them, to a level necessary to support the making of a screening assessment and assessment of the client's condition to support the practice of natural/traditional medicine Pathophysiology and disease processes affecting the nervous system including cardiovascular system including blood, clotting, erythropoietin, and cardiac cycle central and peripheral nervous tissue, brain, spinal cord and associated nerves, sensory, motor and integrative systems, and autonomic nervous system clinical features and pathophysiology of common bacterial and viral diseases to assess the client, its stage, severity and likely prognosis dietary impact on health and symptoms endocrine system including thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, pancreas, calcium and bone metabolism, pituitary gland, and pineal gland ENT and special senses including vision, hearing, smell, and taste factors affecting transmission of disease and choice of treatments of common infectious diseases identification of infectious organisms, indications, complications, epidemiology, occurrence, mode of transmission, vectors, incubation period, period of communicability, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention lymphatic system including immunity, and allergy prostaglandins, development, inheritance, DNA, RNA, and introduction to genetics respiratory system including pulmonary function, gas transport, regulation of respiration, and respiratory adjustments urogenital system including renal function, fluid balance, male and female reproductive systems Philosophical approach to diagnosis and treatment Physical signs and symptoms of disease Relevant testing and assessment options and procedures Symptomology and pathology according to naturopathic practice Terminology correct to discipline The cost benefit ratio of special tests or studies The legal and ethical requirements for confidentiality Time management requirements during consultation |
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: Access and interpret up-to-date information Apply methods of keeping medical records Communicate effectively to gain required information Conduct external physical examination Demonstrate communication skills Demonstrate observation skills Demonstrate physical examination procedures Demonstrate record keeping skills Demonstrate respect for practitioner/client boundaries Detect and record symptoms and signs present including precipitating factors, relieving factors and associated manifestations Identify location, stage and characteristics of disease Request high precision laboratory and/or radiology tests when required Require the minimum number of additional tests Understand and discuss medical reports Use a range of medical equipment used in external physical examinations Use equipment and technology competently and safely Use terminology correct to discipline |
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) 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 may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations 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 Skilled assessors Relevant assessment instruments Appropriate assessment environment |
Method of assessment | Observation in the work place 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 Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting. If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision Examples of assessment notes Practical demonstrations and exercises Research work or written reports of observations in a practical setting Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy |
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: HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients HLTNAT609C Work within a naturopathic framework |
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. | |
Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include: | Language difficulties Disabilities Emotional trauma Lack of privacy or focus due to additional parties being present Cultural or gender factors |
Other health care professional may include: | Doctors Social workers Alternative and complementary health practitioners Counsellors |
Client history may include: | Date of presentation Identifying personal details Source of referral (if applicable) Main presenting complaint or reason for consultation Presenting symptom picture General state of health: physical emotional allergies dietary picture sleep pattern exercise leisure activities Childhood and adult illness Accidents, injuries, operations Hospitalisations Occupational history and environment Other current medical treatment Medication, supplements and natural remedies - current and previous Social lifestyle including social drug usage Family history Details required for homeopathic case |
Potential sensitivities may include: | Gender Ethnicity Language Religious beliefs Cultural heritage Sexuality Ability Presenting disease state and personal history |
Signs of disease/condition may refer to: | Precipitating factors Relieving factors Associated manifestations Indications of stage and status of illness Symptom qualities Functional and pathological disturbances |
Legal and regulatory requirements: | All procedures must be conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements. |
Other appropriate assessment techniques may include: | Observation Discussion Taking temperature Taking pulse and blood pressure Palpation and auscultation Skin examination Percussion External physical examination Iridology techniques Urine tests Assessment of growth (height, weight, head circumference) and development Overview of system - enquiring about the presence of previously diagnosed organic diseases and functional disorders Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard |
Not Applicable
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Not Applicable