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 this Training Package.

Critical aspects of assessment:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Conditions of assessment:

This unit includes skills and knowledge specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture

Assessment must therefore be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in the unit of competency or who has the current qualification being assessed and who is:

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander him/herself

or:

accompanied and advised by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care

Context of assessment:

Competence should be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a primary health care team working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

Related units:

This unit may be assessed independently or in conjunction with other units with associated workplace application

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

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

A basic understanding of:

Charter of Human Rights of the Child

Child Protection Legislation

Domestic Violence Legislation

Anti-discrimination Legislation

DSS and Veteran Affairs Guidelines

Referral options and resources available to community members.

Existing program policy.

Organisation policies, guidelines and procedures

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Assist Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients to identify their rights, clarify their needs and make representation on their own behalf

Advocate on behalf of these clients as appropriate in line with identified community needs and workplace requirements

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

Clearly communicate: share information in ways that all parties can understand

Apply skills in:

Negotiation

Conflict resolution

Mediation: assisting two parties to share their views and reach an agreed outcome

Representation: public speaking, meetings, writing

Communication (verbal essential, written not essential)

Reflect on and improve own level and application of skills and knowledge to achieve desirable outcomes and maintain own capabilities

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

Cultural Respect

This competency standard supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

It recognises that the improvement of the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social well-being, community capacity and governance

Its application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices

Community Control

Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of health work, and the role of the health worker is to support the community in this process

Supervision

Supervision must be conducted in accordance with prevailing State/Territory and organisation legislative and regulatory requirements

References to supervision may include either direct or indirect supervision of work by more experienced workers, supervisors, managers or other health professionals

A person at this level should only be required to make decisions about clients within the organisation's standard treatment protocols and associated guidelines

Legislative Requirements

Federal, State or Territory legislation may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities. Implementation of the competency standards should reflect the legislative framework in which a health worker operates. It is recognised that this may sometimes reduce the application of the Range of Variables in practice. However, assessment in the workplace or through simulation should address all essential skills and knowledge across the Range of Variables

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers may be required to operate in situations that do not constitute 'usual practice' due to lack of resources, remote locations and community needs. As a result, they may need to possess more competencies than described by 'usual practice circumstances'

Under all circumstances, the employer must enable the worker to function within the prevailing legislative framework

Client includes:

Individuals and / or families to whom a service is being provided

Caregivers and family members of the above person

Rights and needs may include:

Freedom from discrimination

Freedom of choice

Right of equality

Access to services

Eligibility for resources and benefits

Personal safety and security

To have something explained in the way the client understands

Adequate food and shelter

Those relating to holistic health care practices

Right to appeal in relation to a decision or situation that affects the individual and/or community

Advocacy on behalf of the client may be to:

Other workers

Management

Other organisations

Friends / community

Businesses

Agencies

Agencies may include:

Government and non-government organisations

Community - controlled organisations

Other health services, including oral health services

Other community service organisations

Other organisations

Options may include:

Traditional and/or western health practices

Situation where the client is 'not able to represent their own rights or concerns' may include:

The client is unconscious

The client is unable to express their needs because of language or other barriers

The client feels too intimidated by the situation and / or environment to represent their own needs

The client chooses not to represent their own needs, for personal reasons

Organisation policies inhibit the client from expressing their needs and/or concerns

Client confidentiality means:

To protect the right to privacy of the client, by:

providing only the information relevant to the specific issue of concern

only to those people who need to action outcomes

with the permission of the client

Agencies may include:

Government and non-government organisations

Community controlled organisations

Other agencies that provide health and community services