Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the therapeutic needs of clients through the lens of a reflexology diagnostic framework. It requires the ability to gather client information, perform a physical assessment and bring information together to develop a reflexology treatment plan.
This unit applies to reflexologists.
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 Explore and clarify client expectations 1.2 Provide clear information about scope and limits of services to be provided 1.3 Collect an 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 of the feet | 2.1 Provide information about the physical assessment and obtain client consent to proceed 2.2 Follow clinical and practitioner hygiene procedures 2.3 Seek client feedback on comfort levels 2.4 Assess client through both visual and tactile observation of the feet 2.5 Identify and assess skin conditions for incorporation into the treatment plan 2.6 Accurately record physical observations of the feet |
3. Develop treatment plan | 3.1 Correlate results of physical assessment and structural abnormalities of the feet with case history 3.2 Frame the analysis of information through the integration of western and eastern medical models and reflexology philosophy 3.3 Identify pre-requisites or contraindications to treatment 3.4 Select methodologies and treatments considering frequency, length and number of treatments based on outcomes of health assessment 3.5 Use professional judgement to draw substantiated conclusions about treatment needs 3.6 Establish expected treatment outcomes based on the reflexology framework and evidence 3.7 Accurately document proposed treatment plan |
4. Confirm assessment and treatment plan with client | 4.1 Discuss assessment, its implications and rationale for treatment with the client 4.2 Assign and agree treatment priorities and expectations in consultation with the client 4.3 Schedule times and session lengths suited to the required techniques and sequences 4.4 Respond to client questions using language the client understands 4.5 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 120 hours of reflexology client consultation work
prepared for and managed at least 60 reflexology assessments - clients must include males and females from different stages of life with varied presentations
interpreted health and wellness using the reflexology framework and the following assessment techniques
touch
visual observation
listening skills
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 and treatment planning:
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 practitioners:
professional health services including complementary health modalities
community resources and support services
types and availability of further medical testing
factors and barriers that may impact on assessment, including:
physical
psychological
cultural
factors that affect individual health status, including:
age
constitution
lifestyle
diet
personal and medical history
values and attitudes
balance of rest and activity
physical environment
social environment
client information required for assessment and the scope and depth of information needed around:
client objectives and expectations
client history and its components
client current state of health
signs and symptoms:
onset
duration
location
quality and severity
non-verbal
different ways that signs and symptoms of conditions present:
physical
psychological
social
spiritual
features of signs and symptoms, including:
normal tissue texture, flexibility and colour
anatomical structure of the feet and hands
biomechanical abnormalities
common ailments of feet and hands
meridian pathways and related ailments
principles and philosophy of reflexology assessment framework:
tender reflexes
numbness
swelling
tension
pressure variation suitable to the client
work lightly, often and for a short time when client is very ill, young or elderly
work less rather than more initially
non-verbal feedback – facial expressions and body movements in response to touch
verbal feedback
reflexology diagnostic techniques and considerations:
pain sensitivity
client tolerance to technique and length of session
palpation
pressure application
possible reactions, contra-indications to treatment and/or limitations for assessment:
broken bones, severe bruising or sprains in feet and/or hands
undiagnosed skin conditions
tinea or other infectious conditions
links between presenting ailments, regions and systems of the body and the condition of the associated reflexes
common disease states of each body system
treatment planning techniques and considerations
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:
health assessment/client consultation forms
client and practitioners seating
talc/cream/lotion
draping material
cleaning equipment
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 40 of the 120 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 at least 3 years current clinical experience working as a reflexologist providing services to the general public
hold practising membership of an Australian professional body that represents reflexologists
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.