This unit applies to work in a nutritional medicine context |
Not Applicable
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Analyse and interpret information received | 1.1 Correlate results of the health assessment with case history 1.2 Recognise and identify signs and symptoms of condition in the client as pre-requisites for treatment/care 1.3 Assess information and assign priorities in consultation with the client using a knowledge of nutritional principles 1.4 Gather, record and organise information in a way which can be interpreted readily by other professionals 1.5 Analyse and differentiate patterns by assessing signs and symptoms 1.6 Identify condition according to stage and related implications (eg acute/chronic) by applying principles of diagnosis 1.7 Use professional judgement to draw sound conclusions and prognosis from the data collected 1.8 Elicit diagnostic signs and symptoms in a thorough and objective manner to avoid premature conclusions 1.9 Systematically monitor client progress in order to confirm the initial diagnosis or clinical impression |
2. Critically evaluate the diagnosis | 2.1 Apply an ongoing critical evaluation of diagnosis 2.2 Select appropriate diagnostic tools/methods 2.3 Carry out a re-evaluation of the case when considered necessary 2.4 Combine history and clinical data to obtain a differential diagnosis, diagnosis and prognosis |
3. Inform the client | 3.1 Discuss the rationale of the diagnosis/prognosis with the client 3.2 Respond to client enquiries using language the client understands 3.3 Discuss referral and collaborative options with the client if necessary |
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: Anatomy and physiology of the body systems Disease process Referral processes Relevant testing and assessment options and procedures Signs and symptoms of disease and disorder/dysfunction The contribution of the different schools of thought and historical theories of clinical practice The possible interactions between supplements, foods and medications The principles of nutrition Types of further investigation available (knowledge and understanding) |
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 differential assessment Apply nutritional principles to diagnosis Communicate with a range of individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures Demonstrate differential diagnostic skills Establish urgency for treatment required Formulate a diagnosis based on nutritional medicine principles Prioritise presenting conditions Write referrals, appraisal letters and other documentation |
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 Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations 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 Demonstrated ability to interpret investigative findings 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: | Resources essential for assessment include: an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment nutritional value tables for Australian foods &/or suitable dietary analysis software relevant texts and manuals appropriate assessment environment |
Method of assessment | Observation in the work place Written assignments with practical demonstration Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice. Oral Questioning Diagnosis from assessment notes or simulated assessments 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 Clinic treatment logbooks |
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: HLTAP501B Analyse health information HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients HLTNUT604B Manage work within the clinical nutritional framework HLTNUT605B Perform clinical nutrition health assessment |
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. | |
Signs and symptoms of condition may include: | Physical evidence Behavioural evidence States of disorder Test or examination results Sensations Onset Duration Location Causation Ameliorating and aggravating factors Symptom qualities (intensity, severity, nature of complaint) Non-verbal signs and symptoms Functional and pathological disturbances |
Patterns may refer to: | Temperaments - humoural theory - eg choleric/ sanguine Constitutional states eg neuresthenic Syndromes eg adrenal exhaustion Functional disorders eg functional hypoglycaemia Disease/conditions |
Knowledge of nutritional principles must include: | Diet as therapy (health maintenance, therapeutic diets, dietary modification) Therapeutic application of special and functional foods (food as medicine) Cultural dietary perspectives Therapeutic&preventive aspects of fasting/detoxification Nutrient supplementation Individual unique dietary needs Behavioural and lifestyle strategies |
Principles of diagnosis may include: | Holistic model Biomedical model Biopsychological model |
Appropriate diagnostic tools/methods may include: | Health history Physical diagnostic temperature auscultation Anthropometric Biochemical analysis Diet diary Nutritional screening 24 hour recall Food frequency questionnaire Physical signs of malnutrition Iridology Pathology laboratory tests (blood, urine, stool) Kinesiology (muscle testing) |
Not Applicable
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Not Applicable