This unit applies to activities associated with manufacturing custom-made medical grade footwear. Significant judgement is required in planning, design, technical or supervisory activities related to products or processes.

Work is generally conducted in a small scale production or 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

Liaison may occur with medical grade footwear practitioners, podiatrists and other order originators.

Shoe types may consist of slip-on, shoe, boot, sandal, inner shoe and orthotic incorporation

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 review job requirements and order forms, consult with client and other parties involved in production and maintain client files.

Planning and organising, problem solving, initiative and enterprise are required to manufacture medical grade footwear to meet specific design criteria. Skill and knowledge in required technology are applied to footwear production processes. Self management skills are required to analyse all stages of work to ensure specifications and quality standards are achieved.

Prerequisites

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Clarify client order

1.1 Job requirements and order form is reviewed to confirm that all required information has been provided prior to manufacture

1.2 Client is consulted, if necessary, to clarify or provide additional information

2 Determine resources required to manufacture medical grade footwear

2.1 Availability of materials of the type and quality required to manufacture footwear components are confirmed

2.2 Materials to make footwear components are selected to match design requirements

2.3 Special or 'one-off' materials are ordered from appropriate suppliers and availability within specified timelines is confirmed

3 Check the shoe last if manufactured elsewhere

3.1 The last is checked to confirm that it complies with order form and is free of construction faults

3.2 Specific design and construction features of the last are discussed with other medical grade footwear practitioners if required

3.3 Assistance in conducting a trial last fitting (pre-pattern) is provided, if required

4 Check pattern and conduct trial pattern fitting

4.1 The pattern is reviewed to ensure compliance with order form and last construction

4.2 Design features and use of pattern are clarified with pattern maker or client, as required

4.3 Trial pattern fitting is conducted, if necessary

5 Construct and finish footwear

5.1 A mock-up of the design is made to clarify order specifications, if necessary

5.2 Appropriate techniques needed to produce the footwear are selected to ensure achievement of design specifications

5.3 Equipment is checked to confirm compliance with manufacturer operating procedures and OHS practices

5.4 All pieces are cut from the patterns and upper is sewn and closed

5.5 Componentry is prepared, cut and built, including innersoles and orthotic componentry

5.6 Footwear is prepared and lasted

5.7 Sole, heel and build-up are constructed and bottom attached, including external raisers, as required

5.8 Liaison occurs with relevant personnel during the production of the custom-made medical grade shoes

5.9 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

6 Perform record keeping procedures

6.1 Client files are maintained

6.2 Administrative tasks are completed

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

Demonstrates knowledge of:

the elements and principles of medical grade footwear design and how they can be used to meet specified requirements

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:

use hand and machine tools

produce custom-made medical grade components and footwear

evaluate, problem solve and address a variety of design and construction 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 podiatrists and other order originators

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 form for footwear construction

identify timelines

determine resources required to meet design and construction requirements

identify special construction details and constraints

construct components

assemble footwear

finish final product and ensure quality

communicate effectively with medical grade footwear practitioners, podiatrists or other order originators as required

apply OHS policies in work operations

maintain accurate records

apply administrative functions related to the construction of custom-made medical grade footwear

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 and steel toe caps

other new materials as developed

Last may include:

plaster

wood

polyester-nylon

expandable foams

casting polyurethane

Footwear components may include:

soles

insoles

heels

unit soles

ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) branded outsoles

TPR material soles

rubber soles

toe puffs

counters

eyelets

Equipment may include:

hand tools

vacuum forming and heat moulding equipment

sewing machines

sanders and polishers

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.