ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Address the health care needs of the older adult in the Australian health care environment

1.1 Work with an understanding of the physical and psychological effects of aging on the human body

1.2 Work with an understanding of the significance of physical and psychosocial assessment in evaluating the health of older clients

1.3 Apply an understanding of funding arrangements for aged care and extended care environment

1.4 Address documentation requirements to assist the funding that impacts on aged care provision

1.5 Recognise crisis situations and implement emergency management as required

1.6 Provide a physically and psychologically safe environment for the older client

1.7 Communicate effectively with older person experiencing sensory loss

2. Assess health care needs of older clients

2.1 Perform a holistic assessment of the client in consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse

2.2 Incorporate an in-depth understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology into nursing practice as applied to the various manifestations of the ageing process and clinical manifestations of ageing

2.3 Discuss with the client the physical and psychosocial impact of ageing on their activities of daily living

2.4 Identify common problems and complications the client may encounter

2.5 Communicate effectively with clients, family and health team members

3. Contribute to planning appropriate care for the older client

3.1 Use contemporary assessment tools accurately

3.2 Establish a database of resource personnel to assist in decision making for the older client

3.3 Use a problem-solving framework to plan appropriate nursing management strategies in consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse

3.4 Develop an individualised plan of care for the older client in consultation/collaboration with the client and the health care team

3.5 Ensure care plan reflects client's current nursing needs and nursing actions designed to maximise the older client's function and minimise potential complications

3.6 Apply an understanding of risk management principles in planning client care

3.7 Ensure planned care and therapeutic interventions aim to assist client/s to achieve optimal health outcomes

3.8 Regularly review plan of care and modify to reflect changes in condition of older client

3.9 Identify aged care client needs requiring research to improve nursing practice

3.10 Implement evidence based practice to care of older clients

4. Assist to perform clinical nursing skills appropriate to the management of the older client

4.1 Prioritise nursing interventions according to client needs

4.2 Modify nursing interventions using critical thinking and problem solving approaches, to reflect changes in client's condition

4.3 Update nursing interventions to assist client, and identified significant others to meet expected outcomes, including health promotion and/or education

4.4 Monitor nursing interventions, review those that fail to address client needs and revise in consultation/collaboration with health care team

4.5 Ensure appropriate pre-, intra- and post-diagnostic procedures are undertaken in line with organisation policies and procedures

4.6 Ensure medication administration is based on sound knowledge of principles of drug actions and side effects in accordance with health unit policies and procedures

4.7 Ensure rehabilitation principles underpin appropriate nursing interventions for the older client as required

5. Assess the needs of clients experiencing loss and grief

5.1 Work with an understanding of the effects of grief on the physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioural, social and spiritual domains of a person's experience

5.2 Review client knowledge of their condition, self management and therapies

5.3 Recognise determinants impacting or potentially impacting on the client's experience of grief and on identified significant other/s

5.4 Recognise the potential or actual manifestation of a complicated grief reaction

5.5 Review the significant other's knowledge of the client's condition, management and therapies

5.6 Use counselling skills to encourage clients and/or significant other/s to verbalise grief experience

5.7 Support client and/or significant others experiencing loss and grief

5.8 Use effective communication skills to break adverse news or assist a health care team member to break adverse news to a client and/or significant other/s

6. Provide support for peers and colleagues

6.1 Recognise the symptoms of stress and professional carer burnout in peers and colleagues

6.2 Implement appropriate support and safety and welfare measures for peers and colleagues