This unit applies to activities associated with maintaining or modifying medical grade footwear. The unit relate to the modification and repair of footwear for medical grade applications generated by direct contact by client, referral or prescription. Significant judgement is required in planning, design, technical or supervisory activities related to products or processes.

Work is generally conducted in a small business situation. Work role may include:

sole practitioner

member of a team of medical grade footwear specialists

member of an enterprise or regional health care team

This unit is applied according to OHS and workplace practices of the enterprise, which may include:

requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment

standard operating procedures

work instructions

oral, written and visual communication

quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality, and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output

housekeeping

tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling

This unit requires the application of skill associated with communication to interpret modification requirements and specifications and complete client records. Planning and organising, problem solving and initiative and enterprise are required to select and carry out appropriate modification using required technology. Self management is required to ensure own work complies with specifications, requirements and quality standards.

Prerequisites

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Review medical grade footwear

1.1 Modification requirements and specifications are reviewed to confirm required information has been provided prior to modification

1.2 Footwear is examined to determine suitability and practicability of modification in relation to specifications

2 Determine resources required to modify or repair medical grade footwear

2.1 Appropriate modification techniques are selected to ensure compatibility and durability

2.2 Materials to make modifications and repairs are selected to match medical grade footwear design requirements

3 Make modifications or repairs

3.1 Equipment is checked to confirm compliance with manufacturer operating instructions

3.2 Modification and repair compounds such as glues and resins are stored and used in accordance with OHS practices and manufacturer guidelines

3.3 Footwear is appropriately prepared for modification

3.4 Modification to footwear is conducted to ensure compliance with specifications or requirements

4 Finish medical grade footwear

4.1 Detailed information obtained from final fitting is reviewed and steps for implementing any changes to footwear are initiated

4.2 Finishing off is carried out, final components added and product given final check to ensure compliance with established quality standards prior to delivery to client as appropriate

5 Maintain records

5.1 Client files are maintained

5.2 Administrative tasks are completed

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Demonstrates knowledge of:

full range of procedures to review footwear

assessment criteria to determine modification requirements of new and old footwear (design, fit/size, structure, features, function, technical)

full range of modification designs and their purposes in relation to footwear problems

procedures for making modifications or repairs, including inclusion and allowance for orthoses, newness of materials, tissue tolerance etc.

applied anthropometrics of the foot, the variables in and effects of physical force systems (orthoses and footwear) on the body and dimensional, shape and other physical characteristics of commercial footwear

footwear construction and standards; terminology; diagnostic and definitive constructions; modification processes; materials and tools and equipment used

other practitioners in the field and in major related fields, including their roles, capabilities and limitations

safety and environmental aspects of relevant workplace activities

OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures

quality practices

workplace practices

recording and reporting practices

Demonstrates skills to:

evaluate footwear to determine repair or modification options

select materials and techniques appropriate for required modification and repair

use hand tools and machinery to undertake modifications

communicate effectively with the client to obtain clear and precise information about problems with the footwear

evaluate, problem solving and address a variety of design and modification problems

communicate and work effectively with work colleagues, associates and clients, encompassing teamwork, client confidentiality and appropriate communication and interpersonal skills

consult and liaise in a professional manner with people external to the enterprise such as allied health professionals and government agencies

communicate and interact effectively with clients, component suppliers and in the workplace

establish and interpret procedures and processes

determine report requirements and presenting reports and information in appropriate formats

read, interpret and follow information on work specifications, standard operating procedures and work instructions and other reference material

maintain accurate records

communicate within the workplace

sequence operations

meet specifications

clarify and check task-related information

carry out work according to OHS practices

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 the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:

interpret order forms and specifications defining footwear modification requirements

identify and confirm costs, timelines etc.

conduct tests to aid in deciding how repairs or modification are to be carried out in relation to footwear problem

record causes of problems and document modification solutions

identify any special construction details and constraints

select materials and techniques to modify footwear

perform a full range of standard orthopaedic footwear modifications in relation to footwear problem

communicate effectively with clients etc.

apply OHS policies in work operations

maintain accurate records

Consistently applies skills and knowledge when:

organising work

completing tasks

identifying improvements

using workplace practices

using OHS practices

recording and reporting accidents and incidents

assessing operational readiness of equipment used and work processes

recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions

completing work systematically with attention to detail without damage to goods and equipment

Context and specific resources for assessment

Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment and requires access to work areas, materials and equipment and to information on workplace practices and OHS practices.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit may be assessed independently or in combination with other relevant units.

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Legislative/regulatory requirements

All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements.

Materials may include:

conventional leathers

textiles

plastic sheeting

padding

reinforcement

sole and related materials

fastening or closing devices such as:

Velcro

laces

buckles

other items such as adhesives and threads

Equipment may include:

hand and machine tools and equipment and a variety of combinations

OHS practices

OHS practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and may include:

manual handling techniques

standard operating procedures

personal protective equipment

safe materials handling

taking of rest breaks

ergonomic arrangement of workplaces

following marked walkways

safe storage of equipment

housekeeping

reporting accidents and incidents

other OHS practices relevant to the job and enterprise

Sector

Medical Grade Footwear

This unit contains employability skills.