ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element.

1. Recognise the special needs of a person requiring a palliative approach to care.

1.1 Apply principles of palliative care and the palliative approach in undertaking holistic assessment of the person.

1.2 Apply knowledge of pathophysiological changes associated with a life-limiting illness and the needs of the person.

1.3 Assess a person’s pain management, and implement strategies to address pain and any medication-induced constipation in consultation with registered nurse.

1.4 Identify and respect the person’s needs in relation to their lifestyle, social context and emotional and spiritual choices, and document these in accordance with care plan.

1.5 Identify and work within roles and responsibilities of the inter-disciplinary team when planning palliative care for the person.

1.6 Apply in own practice an awareness of the psychosocial impact of palliative care on the person’s family or carer.

2. Support person, family or carers using the palliative approach.

2.1 Provide the person, family or carer with opportunities to discuss spiritual and cultural issues in an open and non-judgmental manner.

2.2 Use effective communication techniques and access relevant support services to provide a supportive environment for the person, family or carer.

2.3 Monitor the person’s condition and provide accurate and timely information on stages of dying to the person, family or carer, ensuring that information-provision respects their wishes.

2.4 Identify and address legal and ethical implications of implementing advance care planning (ACP) and advance care directives (ACD).

3. Identify and respond to signs of deterioration and the stages of dying.

3.1 Apply knowledge of the physiology of dying in supporting the person, family or carer as they experience the person’s dying process.

3.2 Identify signs of respiratory and swallowing difficulties and implement management strategies in accordance with ACP or ACD.

3.3 Address malignant wound management in accordance with the unique needs of non-healing wounds of a deteriorating person.

3.4 Identify and report signs of the person’s deterioration or imminent death in accordance with ACP or ACD.

3.5 Support the dignity of the person when undertaking all care activities in their end-of-life stages as well as after their death.

3.6 Identify and reflect on any ethical issues or concerns about the person, and discuss with an appropriate person according to organisation procedures.

4. Care for the person’s body after death and provide support for the family and others.

4.1 Apply knowledge of legislation to own role and responsibilities when a person dies.

4.2 Provide care of a person’s body after death using standard precautions and in accordance with organisation policy and procedures.

4.3 Ensure care of the person’s body is carried out with dignity and respect, and that the person’s individual customs, culture, religion, spiritual practices and choices are taken into account.

4.4 Discuss support needs and resources including the accessibility and availability of resources with the family, carer or others requiring bereavement care.

4.5 Provide emotional support to the person, family or carer in relation to grief, loss and bereavement.

5. Provide for own self-care in palliative care role.

5.1 Identify own need for self-care and support and implement effective ways to sustain own social and emotional wellbeing.

5.2 Encourage self and colleagues to access support and, where indicated, participate in professional debriefing.