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

Consistent satisfactory performance of all elements of this unit must be demonstrated

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

This unit may be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under normal conditions

The unit may be assessed in the classroom

Access to:

a range of government and non-government policy documents and reports and statistics

journals, books and external expertise

documents and other materials (charters, declarations, discussion papers, etc.) from international conferences on population health

a range of government and non government policy documents and reports and statistics

organisation policies and procedures

Method of assessment

Observation of performance

Written tasks

Interviewing and questioning

Formal appraisal systems

Staff client feedback

Portfolio/CV

Supporting statement of supervisors

Evidence of relevant work experience/formal or informal learning

Case studies and scenarios as a basis for the discussion of issues in population health project planning

Project, exercise or investigation with relaxed time restraints requiring a significant part of the work to be carried out without close supervision and requiring the completion of a project report

Related units:

This unit should be undertaken and assessed in conjunction with the following units:

HLTPOP502C Work with the community to identify health needs

HLTPOP503C Plan a population health project

It is recommended that this unit is undertaken in conjunction with the following unit to obtain a more holistic view of program planning, management and evaluation processes:

PSPPM402B Manage simple projects

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:

Equity issues in population health

Evaluation (types, levels of evaluation)

Evidence-based practice

National, State and local health policies, goals, targets and priorities

Overview of the stages in population health project planning

Quality assurance

Relevant international charters/declarations and documents (e.g. Alma Ata, Ottawa Charter, Jakarta Declaration, The Solid Facts by WHO)

Social change and advocacy processes

Theory and practice of population health including health promotion, health protection and prevention of communicable and non communicable diseases

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:

Analyse, judge and incorporate feedback where required

Apply analytical thinking, problem solving and critical appraisal

Apply effective communication and interpersonal skills including:

high level written or verbal

negotiation and liaison

consultation

conflict resolution and mediation

Engage and work collaboratively and/or in partnership

Facilitate and contribute effectively to meetings, forums and other networks

Identify and consult with key stakeholders throughout the monitoring and evaluation process

Pay attention to equity

Undertake work planning and management

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and/or autonomously

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.

Population health projects may vary considerably in scope and content:

Population health projects may be developed in any population health field including:

health promotion

environment health

communicable diseases

health risk management and assessment

Population health projects may be developed at any level including:

local

regional

state

national

Population health projects may be developed for any population including:

general Australian population

any subgroups within that population identified based on age, sex, ethnicity, sexual identity, geographical location, physical environment, lifestyle choices, socio economic status, disability, health status etc.

any community defined as collective group of people identified by common values and mutual concern for the development and well-being of their group or geographical area

any setting/organisation whose practices influence health behaviour (e.g. clinical services, general practice, schools, workplaces, etc.)

Population health projects can target individuals, groups or organizations

Population health projects may vary in duration and intensity

Population health projects may relate to different health determinants (e.g. biological, economic, behavioural, social, etc.)

Communities or target populations in population health:

The community or population may vary considerably in character, size, needs and capacity to access information and services

Different levels of evaluation include:

Process evaluation (measures the activities of the project, project quality and who it is reaching)

Impact evaluation (measures the immediate effect of the projectrelates to project objectives)

Outcome evaluation (measures the long-term effect of the projectrelates to project goals)

Evaluation measures can be:

Qualitative

Quantitative

Evaluation design can specify:

Data collection at the end of the project

Before and after comparisons

Trials with a control group

Relevant personnel for consultation may include:

Community/target population members and leaders

Public health sector staff

Community health sector staff

Private health sector staff

Volunteer networks

General practitioners

Administrators

Researchers

Educators

Academics

Business and industry representatives

Stakeholders may include:

Representatives of relevant health agencies operating in the local community

Community advocates or change agents

Representatives/leaders of the target population

Population health professionals/supervisors

Federal, state or local health service and population health planners

Federal, state or local health service providers

Other health and/or non-government organisations