ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Estimate liability

1.1 Current information and guidelines on legislative changes and liability management are used to ensure up-to-date methods are used to estimate liability.

1.2 All anticipated costs the employer believes may be incurred up to the time claims are resolved, are identified.

1.3 Case estimate software facilities are used as required to create automated case estimates based on reporting data.

1.4 Key indicators are used to estimate costs and manually amend automated estimates as necessary, based on local knowledge of particular claims.

1.5 Estimates are reviewed at required intervals in accordance with legislation, organisational policy and procedures, and estimates of future liability are maintained on all open claims.

1.6 Recovery rights against other parties or employers for the disabilities claimed are identified and pursued in accordance with government policy and legislation.

2. Determine settlement options

2.1 Settlement options are identified that meet legislative obligations, organisational and government policy requirements.

2.2 Options are assessed to determine the most cost effective course of action, given the nature and extent of each liability.

3. Negotiate settlements

3.1 Injured workers are consulted to ensure they have competent professional and financial advice before entering into an agreement.

3.2 Settlement terms are negotiated to meet obligations and minimise losses in accordance with risk management principles, organisational policy and procedures.

3.3 Settlement terms are determined that represent substantial savings on costs that would otherwise have been incurred for future liability.

3.4 Settlements are negotiated within financial delegations or referred in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.

3.5 Discharge is obtained to ensure potential for further liability is eliminated.

3.6 Where settlements cannot be agreed they are referred for conciliation and arbitration in accordance with legislation, policy and procedures.

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

Skill requirements

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

applying legislation, regulations and policies relating to determining liability and negotiating settlements

determining liability and negotiating settlements in the context of injury management

using communication including negotiation and problem solving with injured workers, their representatives, employers and case coordinators

responding to diversity, including gender and disability

applying procedures relating to occupational health and safety and environment in the context of injury management

Knowledge requirements

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to injury management

case estimate software

methodology for estimating liability

risk management in the context of injury management

delegations

obligations and options for settlement under the legislation

equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles

public sector legislation such as occupational health and safety and environment in the context of injury management

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

Units to be assessed together

Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil

Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil

Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:

PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPGOV502B Develop client services

PSPGOV503B Coordinate resource allocation and usage

PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis

PSPGOV505A Promote diversity

PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector

Overview of evidence requirements

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)

liability determined and settlements negotiated in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Resources required to carry out assessment

These resources include:

legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to injury management

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when determining liability and negotiating settlements

Where and how to assess evidence

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when determining liability and negotiating settlements, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

liability determined and settlements negotiated in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

case studies

demonstration

observation

portfolios

questioning

scenarios

simulation or role plays

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

For consistency of assessment

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Key indicators may include:

nature of disability

other medical information

knowledge of total cost of previous claims for similar injuries/illnesses

worker characteristics (age, occupation, etc)

Settlement options may include:

lump sum payment

periodic payments

Legislation, policy and procedures may include:

claims management manual

workers rehabilitation/compensation legislation

allied legislation such as occupational health and safety acts, regulations and associated standards

privacy legislation

legislation and standards to ensure confidentiality and security of information

performance standards

rehabilitation and return to work manual

public sector legislation and standards

codes of conduct

codes of ethics