Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to administer client treatment according to a western herbal medicine framework

Application 

This unit applies to work in western herbal medicine

Employability Skills 

This unit contains Employability Skills

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Manage treatment

1.1 Explain factors which may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment 

1.2 Explain the mode of administration  and management of the treatment to the client

1.3 Request client to monitor reactions and contact practitioner as required

1.4 Ensure appropriate consent  for treatment

1.5 Recognise and promptly respond to treatment (adverse or otherwise) if necessary

1.6 Clearly explain time, location and content of future sessions to the client

1.7 Document recommendations

1.8 Provide treatment according to the treatment plan

2. Apply therapeutic techniques

2.1 Apply, recommend, dispense or prescribe herbal medicines, extemporaneous preparations, herbal plasters, poultices, ointments or other topical applications

2.2 Deliver treatment according to regulations

2.3 Refer to or collaborate with other health care professionals as required

3. Advise and resource the client 

3.1 Educate the client in relevant and practical techniques for promotion and maintenance of optimum health 

3.2 Answer client queries with clarity, using appropriate language

3.3 Use appropriate interpersonal skills when explaining treatment plans and recommendations to the client

3.4 Promote client independence and responsibility in treatment wherever possible

3.5 Respond appropriately to client feedback and complaints

3.6 Provide counselling within a herbal medicine framework when appropriate

4. Review treatment

4.1 Review progress with the client

4.2 Identify and record effects of previous treatment

4.3 Review previous treatment plan

4.4 Evaluate need for ongoing and/or additional treatment

4.5 Negotiate changes to the plan with the client to ensure optimal outcomes

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

This includes knowledge of:

• Common disease states and functional problems of each bodily system and the principles and practice of treating each system/condition
• Contra-indications of treatment
• Dosage principles
• Drug interactions
• How to correctly prepare and dispense herbal medicines
• How to select best treatment/medicine within best current practice
• Knowledge and understanding of methods of preparing treatment and management plans
• Medical reports and diagnostic procedures
• Pathogenesis of the remedies administered
• Supplementary measures in the management of the conditions eg dietary considerations and exercise
• The active principles of the main herbal medicines used for each system/condition
• The correct preparations required for specific treatment
• The possible responses to treatments
• The principles of formulation (including dosage and duration of treatment)

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:

• Access and interpret up-to-date information on health practices and medicines
• Access reference material on the effects of current conventional drug therapies and their withdrawal
• Apply methods of treating and managing disease process of each system using herbal medicine
• Appropriately prepare client for treatment
• Complete documentation of all recommendations and client responses
• Demonstrate interpersonal and questioning skills
• Demonstrate the application of commonly used treatment practices
• Incorporate the philosophies of the practice of herbal medicine
• Provide the safest, most efficacious and cost effective treatment method
• Provide treatment in accordance with the individual, condition and presence of complicating factors.
• Provide treatment in accordance with the treatment plan
• Review treatment plans
• Treat a range of conditions/disease states
• Use counselling within herbal medicine consultation as an aid to treatment
• Write referrals, appraisal letters for insurance companies and other documentation

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 competency unit :

• The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
• Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit
• Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of workplace situations
• Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
• Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application
• Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
• Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:

• interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
• scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
• holistic/integrated assessment including:

• working within the practice framework
• performing a health assessment
• assessing the client
• planning treatment
• providing treatment

Context of and specific resources for assessment :

• Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
• Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
• Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
• Resources essential for assessment include:

• an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
• relevant texts or medical manuals
• relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
• appropriate assessment environment
• skilled assessors

Method of assessment :

• Observation and practical demonstration in the work place
• Written assignments/projects
• Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
• Questioning
• Role play simulation
• Explanations of technique

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 should be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency units:

• HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
• HLTHER606C Prepare and dispense herbal medicines
• HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health
• HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures

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.

Factors which interfere with the effectiveness of treatment may include :

• Other medical treatment being undertaken
• Client physical and psychological readiness and/or wellness
• Cultural factors
• Contra-indications to treatment
• Post treatment activity

Mode of administration may be :

• Oral
• Topical
• Inhaled

Responses to reactions may include :

• Adjusting treatment accordingly
• Seeking appropriate expertise
• Discussing reaction with the client
• Adhering to clinic guidelines for response to accidents and emergencies
• Using First Aid procedures according to St Johns, Australian Red Cross or other appropriate First Aid training
• Accessing local, emergency services

Appropriate consent for treatment refers to :

• Informed consent according to the local and national regulations and legal guidelines
• Treatment is given to minors/wards of state when only parent/guardian is present

Regulations may include :

• Hygiene and infection control regulations
• OHS regulations
• Clinic or professional practice guidelines
• State or national legislation

Advise and resource the client refers to :

• Providing relevant literature or information materials
• Referring client to other information sources
• Providing advice regarding self-care
• Advising client of suggested resources
• Providing details which help to fully inform client/client of relevant information
• Providing referrals to other health professionals
• Availability of products required or suggested for treatment

Practical techniques that promote and maintain optimal health may include :

• Nutritional advice
• Advice on lifestyle modification
• Exercise suggestions
• Stress management techniques