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 for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:

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

Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place

Simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment

Tools and equipment to assess a prosthetic/orthotic device

Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols

Method of assessment may include:

Observation of work activities

Observation of simulation

Written tasks

Relevant formal and informal education/training courses

Case studies and scenarios

Interviews/questioning

Role plays

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Related units:

This unit can be assessed independently

However holistic assessment practice with other health technician units of competency is encouraged

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:

Anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and common pathologies relevant to the prosthetic orthotic technician's role in client service provision

Behavioural, social and personal aspects of disabilities

Funding policies of health funds, insurers and government agencies in relation to provision of special footwear, prostheses and orthoses to eligible clients

Influences of the living environment and its effect on the disabled

Legislative and social rights of persons with a disability or impairment

Role of other appropriate health professionals

Workplace procedures for recording and retaining documentation

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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:

Apply literacy in English or a community language depending on the language used in pamphlets or workplace manuals

Collect and interpret relevant client information

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

Communicate with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

Comply with organisation policy in relation to the scope and boundary of the role of the prosthetic orthotic technician in relation to client service provision

Follow administration and record-keeping procedures

Participate in the review of clients' needs

Provide a prosthetic/orthotic device designed to meet individual client requirements

Recognise, report and manage errors and risk within work role

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues, including appropriate practices to ensure efficient use of resources

Undertake anatomical measurement

Use effective interpersonal and communication skills with clients and health professionals

Use numeracy skills including the ability to complete arithmetic calculations for manufacturing a prosthetic/orthotic device, and for anatomical measurement

Use oral communication skills as required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation, including skills in:

asking questions

providing clear information

listening to and understanding workplace instructions

clarifying workplace instructions when necessary

effective verbal and non-verbal communication with a range of internal and external persons

literacy in English or a community language, depending on client group and organisation requirements

Use reading and writing skills as required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation at a level of skill that includes reading workplace safety and organisation procedure manuals, maintaining job records, drafting correspondence and documenting client information

Use problem solving skills required for specifying or designing a prosthetic/orthotic device to meet specific client needs

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.

An appropriate health professional may include:

Prosthetist orthotist

Specialist or general medical practitioner

Physiotherapist

Occupational therapist

Other allied health professionals

Language and interpersonal skills may include:

Language may be English, sign language or community language depending on client group

Interpersonal skills include active listening, asking open questions, providing encouragement, displaying empathy

Specific needs may relate to:

Amputation

Physical impairment

Disability

Biomechanical deficit

Diseases eg: polio, cerebral palsy, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, stroke, etc

Complex needs involving a combination of health, social, economic and personal factors

Relevant client information may include:

Referral from appropriate health professional

Anatomical measurements

Type of orthotic required (model, make, dimension), control mechanism, function

Clinical information

Financial status ie: healthcare benefits, private health insurance, insurance claim

Client specifications and assessments

Work specifications and patterns

Design/construction drawings/sketches

Action plan may include:

Selection and design of footwear, orthotic or prosthetic

Modification or repair to footwear, orthotic or prosthetic

Proposed client follow up

Referral to clinical professionals

Related administrative requirements may include:

Completion of job records

Completion of client records

Correspondence

Modification may include:

On-site - fit eg: stretch footwear, apply insole,

trim orthotic as required

Off-site - shoe repairer, orthotist for brace

Raisers

SACH heels

Rocker sole

Wedges and flares

Metatarsal bars

Heel ferrules

T. Straps

Velcro closure

Fitting adjustments

Hand tools and machinery may include:

Hand tools - knives, skiving tools, hammers, pincers, hole punchers, hack saw

Machinery - footwear finishing, router, band saw, flat bed sewing machine, post sewing machine, overlocker, patcher, shoe stretcher, infra red heat lamps, pneumatic tools