This unit applies to activities associated with the design, evaluation and making of patterns for the construction of medical grade custom-made footwear. Work is generally conducted in a small business situation.

Patterns may be made by hand or by using machines and may be produced by footwear technicians, medical grade footwear practitioners or specialist pattern makers. Patternmaking can be performed using a variety of techniques, including two-dimensional geometric, direct three-dimensional or using computerised techniques.

Footwear types may include a range of styles and types, e.g. slip-on, court, boot, sandal, inner shoe.

Orthoses and prosthetic incorporation and selection should reflect compatibility with other interventions, e.g. leather heel and steel shanks for recommended leaf spring (metal) ankle or foot orthoses (AFO).

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 assessment and prescription information, discuss and confirm needs with other parties and document pattern design specifications. Numeracy skills are used to analyse measurements and other data to develop design. Planning and organising skills are used to create design and coordinate fitting and development processes and problem solving and initiative and enterprise are required to determine design requirements to meet client needs. Self management is required to ensure own work complies with client needs and quality standards.

Prerequisites

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Clarify assessments and prescriptions

1.1 Assessments and prescriptions are reviewed to confirm that all required information has been provided

1.2 Other parties are consulted, if necessary, to clarify or provide additional information

2 Determine resources required to prepare patterns

2.1 Materials to prepare pattern are selected

2.2 Appropriate techniques needed to prepare pattern are selected to ensure achievement of design and in accordance with OHS practices

3 Review and design patterns

3.1 For existing clients, patterns are reviewed against current requirements and modified consistent with specifications, as required

3.2 For new clients, patterns are designed based on client assessment information and foot and footwear measurements, consistent with specifications

3.3 Initial upper design is made on last

3.4 Information is accurately translated from three-dimensional last master to two-dimensional patterns

3.5 The standard patterns of upper and sole are produced in accordance with specifications and to accepted standards and construction tolerances

4 Make and evaluate mock up and fitting

4.1 Diagnostic fitting is evaluated, if used, and proposed construction and materials are reviewed in relation to viability of design, fitting and appropriateness

4.2 The design, pattern and construction materials are reviewed after outcomes of diagnostic fitting

5 Prepare specifications and materials requirements

5.1 Produce working specifications for construction of footwear to defined tolerances and standards

5.2 Identify material requirements for the construction of the footwear

6 Perform record keeping procedures

6.1 Client files are maintained to ensure accurate records are kept

6.2 Documentation is completed in accordance with established guidelines, policies and procedures

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

Demonstrates knowledge of:

principles and concepts of pattern design and making

range of medical grade custom-made footwear design, materials and construction methods

general principles of medical grade footwear and orthotic design

types of pattern making materials

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:

undertake the range of activities associated with designing and preparing patterns

undertake the range of activities associated with selecting and modifying existing patterns

develop the pattern with consideration to client requirements and construction requirements

construct mock-ups

test patterns and proposing alternative construction methods

use manual or CAD systems

use hand tools and operating equipment relevant to the making of patterns

communicate effectively with individuals, work groups and supervisors

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:

obtain and clarify instructions and work requirements

determine resources needed to prepare patterns

select patterns to meet client specifications and requirements

modify, check and test patterns

prepare patterns

make mock-ups

use information from diagnostic fitting to refine and modify pattern

produce working specifications

identify material requirements to construct footwear

conduct record keeping tasks associated with the preparation of patterns

effective communication with client and medical grade footwear practitioners

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:

a full range of conventional leathers

appropriate textiles

plastic sheeting

appropriate padding

reinforcement

sole and related materials

fastening or closing devices

other specific items such as:

adhesives

threads

steel toe caps

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.