HLTREF005
Adapt reflexology approaches to meet specific needs


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to adapt 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 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. Adapt assessment and treatment strategies to stages of life

1.1 Anticipate and take account of varying potential client sensitivities to ensure client dignity is maintained

1.2 Tailor assessment and treatment approaches that take account of different cognitive abilities of clients at different stages of life

1.3 Use reflexology techniques and pressure application that take account of client needs at different stages of life

1.4 Recognise norms and deviations associated with age and gender

1.5 Obtain appropriate 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 When appropriate to continue with the case, identify, access and interpret sources of additional information and advice

2.4 Enhance own capacity to deal with unfamiliar cases 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 120 hours of reflexology client consultation work

effectively adapted communication, assessment and treatment strategies to meet client needs

managed at least 60 reflexology assessment and treatment sessions - clients must include males and females from different stages of life with varied presentations

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 contact

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 reflexology framework:

children

adolescents

adult females at different stages of life:

maternity

endocrine imbalance

fertility

menstrual difficulties

adult males at different stages of life

factors for consideration when providing any form of palliative care

professional responsibilities when presenting cases that 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 – case history, treatment plan

private consultation area

massage table or reflexology chair

towels/sheets for draping

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.


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.