Modification History
Not Applicable
Unit Descriptor
Descriptor |
This unit describes the knowledge and skills required of a worker in contributing to the development, implementation, evaluation and communication of a care plan for clients with life-limiting illness and/or normal ageing process in a team environment using a palliative approach |
Application of the Unit
Application |
This unit may apply in a range of community service contexts |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not Applicable
Pre-Requisites
Not Applicable
Employability Skills Information
Employability Skills |
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
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. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan a palliative approach to client care |
1.1 Reflect an understanding of the difference between curative and palliative approaches in contributing to client care planning 1.2 Contribute to care plan to address in a holistic way client needs that may extend over time not just end-of-life 1.3 Apply the principles and aims of a palliative approach in contributing to development of care plan |
2. Support clients to identify their preferences for quality of life choices |
2.1 Consult clients, family members, significant others and carers to identify and share information regarding changing needs and preferences 2.2 Respect client lifestyle, social context and spiritual needs in developing the care plan 2.3 Respect cultural choices in line with care plan 2.4 Support the freedom of the client, his/her family, carer and significant others to discuss spiritual and cultural issues in an open and non-judgemental way within scope of own responsibilities and skills 2.5 Demonstrate respect for the roles of the client and carer in planning and delivering care 2.6 Address any client issues in line with own responsibilities or refer them to the appropriate member of the care team in line with organisation requirements 2.7 Provide emotional support using effective communication skills |
3. Support the incorporation of advanced care directives within the care plan |
3.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and ethical implications of advanced care directives and communicate them to all staff according to organisation policy 3.2 Support the process of end -of -life ethical decisions agreed by client and family, as documented in the care plan by an appropriate staff member in line with organisation policy 3.3 Report the client's needs/issues in relation to end-of-life to the appropriate team member for documentation in the care plan 3.4 Observe any impact on carers of client's end-of-life needs/issues and provide support |
4. Contribute to the development of and implementation of end-of-life care strategies |
4.1 Respect client's preferences including cultural and spiritual wishes when contributing to an end-of-life care plan 4.2 Respect the dignity of the client when planning end-of-life care and immediately following death 4.3 Observe any signs of a client's imminent death/deterioration and report to an appropriate member of the care team in line with organisation requirements 4.4 Provide a supportive environment for the client, families, carers and those involved in their care at end-of-life 4.5 Inform other staff that decisions made by the client are reviewed regularly as indicated by changes on the care plan 4.6 Recognise and support emotional needs of other clients and their families and/or carers affected when a death occurs 4.7 Prepare client, family, other staff and self for any distressing end-of-life events within own responsibilities |
5. Take action to alleviate pain and other end-of-life symptoms experienced by client/resident |
5.1 Plan and document in care plan strategies to promote comfort in collaboration with supervisor and/or other health professional 5.2 Assess resident/client need for pain and other symptom relief in line with care plan and report to supervisor and/or other health professional 5.3 Provide pain relief in line with relevant legislation and organisation policy and care plan 5.4 In consultation with supervisor and/or other health professional, provide appropriate information about the use of pain relieving medication and other treatments to staff, clients and their family 5.5 Observe, report and document effectiveness of interventions for symptom relief 5.6 Communicate ineffectiveness of interventions to supervisor and/or other health professional and document |
6. Identify and manage emotional responses in self and others |
6.1 Identify and reflect upon own emotional responses to death and dying and raise and discuss any issues with supervisor and/or other appropriate person 6.2 Identify and reflect upon potential impact of personal responses on self and others and action appropriately 6.3 Inform others about support systems available such as bereavement care 6.4 Follow organisation policies and procedures in relation to emotional welfare of self, team members, clients and family 6.5 Assist colleagues to debrief and discuss bereavement care 6.6 Identify other strategies/resources available for debriefing 6.7 Evaluate effectiveness of emotional response strategies |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
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 These include knowledge of:
|
Essential skills : 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 These include the ability to:
|
Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
|
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 unit of competency : |
|
Access and equity considerations : |
|
Context of and specific resources for assessment : |
|
Method of assessment : |
|
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
|
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. |
|
Aims of a palliative approach adapted from Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care (2004 ) is : |
|
Using a palliative approach includes : |
|
Issues of loss and grief may include : |
|
Emotional responses in self and others may include : |
|
Advanced care planning refers to : |
|
Advanced care directives are : |
|
Legal implications of advanced care directives : |
|
End -of -life ethical decisions may include : |
|
Client's lifestyle choices may include : |
|
Life limiting illness describes : |
|
Strategies to relieve pain may include : |
|
Carers include : |
|
Impact on carers may include : |
|
Guardian refers to : |
|
Client : |
|
Ethical issues may include : |
|
Unit Sector(s)
Not Applicable