HLTREF003
Perform reflexology health assessments


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.