Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and provide therapeutic oriental therapies treatments based on the outcomes of an existing health assessment and treatment plan.
This unit applies to therapists who work with oriental therapies as part of a broader complementary health practice.
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. Prepare client for treatment | 1.1 Interpret treatment plans and clearly outline how the treatment will be provided and managed 1.2 Explain factors which may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment 1.3 Inform and advise client about possible physical or emotional reactions during and following a session 1.4 Follow established protocols to physically prepare the client for treatment 1.5 Confirm client consent for treatment |
2. Apply therapeutic techniques | 2.1 Determine treatment sequence, location and degree of pressure according to assessment indications 2.2 Apply oriental therapy techniques protocol 2.3 Use the condition and response of the client as a continual feedback to the initial assessment 2.4 Position client to optimise their comfort and support while allowing for optimum application of techniques 2.5 Maintain therapist postures that ensure a controlled distribution of body weight 2.6 Maintain client-focused attention throughout the treatment session 2.7 Recognise reactions to treatment and respond promptly according to clients needs |
3. Provide advice and resources to the client | 3.1 Educate client in relevant and practical techniques that support the treatment plan 3.2 Answer client queries with clarity, using appropriate language 3.3 Use honesty and integrity when explaining treatment plans, schedules and recommendations to the client 3.4 Promote client independence and responsibility in treatment 3.5 Discuss and agree on evaluation strategies 3.6 Accurately document treatment provided and details of client communications |
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 200 hours of oriental therapies client consultation work
prepared for and managed at least 60 oriental therapies treatment sessions - clients must include males and females from different stages of life with varied presentations
used the following techniques and sequences according to clients needs:
acupressure
moxibustion
cupping
meridian stretching techniques
demonstration and explanation of suggested corrective postures, stretches, movements
provided other advice to support optimum health:
lifestyle
dietary
yoga
relaxation
meditation
poultices and liniments
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:
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
oriental therapies treatment techniques, how to apply them, what each technique does, what effects it might have, and what the contraindications are, for the following:
acupressure
moxibustion
cupping
meridian stretching techniques
corrective postures, stretches, movements
potential reactions during treatment and how to respond:
discomfort
emotional reactions
feedback - verbal, tactile, visual
muscular spasms
body temperature discomfort
deep relaxation
potential reactions following treatment and appropriate client advice
types of advice and resources that can be provided to clients for their use outside the clinical environment:
advice about nutritional actions based on 8 principal patterns and 6 pathogenic influences
medicinal teas and meals
seasonal adjustments
poultices and liniments
documentation requirements for recording treatment details
basic structure and function of western medicine systems and regions of the body
common disease states and functional problems of each body system
fundamental principles of biomechanics
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
futon
linen
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 120 of the 200 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 Shiatsu therapist providing services to the general public
hold practising membership of an Australian professional body that represents Shiatsu therapists
fulfil the continuing professional development requirements of the professional body to which they belong
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.