Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide homœopathic assessment and care specific to common conditions in each stage of life

Application 

This unit applies to work in homœopathy

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. Provide specific assessment and care for children and adolescents

1.1 Take the case with specific reference  to the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

1.2 Obtain consent  from a parent/guardian/care giver prior to a physical examination of a minor

1.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

1.4 Assess the health of clients according to standard guidelines relating to age, and with regard to conditions common to their age, gender and/or particular state

1.5 Give specific consideration to any deviations from the normal percentiles or developmental norms for the age group 

1.6 Develop a treatment plan  according to findings

1.7 Implement the treatment plan

1.8 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations  according to clinic guidelines 

1.9 Organise and document follow up visit /s  according to clinic guidelines

1.10 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

2. Provide specific assessment and care for adult females

2.1 Take the case with specific reference  to the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

2.2 Obtain consent  from the client or parent/ guardian/care giver prior to a physical examination

2.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

2.4 Assess the health of the client according to standard guidelines relating to age, and with regard to conditions common to their age, gender and/or particular state 

2.5 Give specific consideration to the reproductive system and function

2.6 Develop a treatment plan  according to findings

2.7 Implement the treatment plan

2.8 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations  according to clinic guidelines

2.9 Organise and document follow up visit /s  according to clinic guidelines

2.10 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

3. Provide specific assessment and care for adult males

3.1 Take the case with specific reference  to the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

3.2 Obtain consent  from the client or parent/guardian/care giver prior to commencing a physical examination

3.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

3.4 Assess the health of the client according to standard guidelines relating to age, and with regard to conditions common to their age, gender and/or particular state 

3.5 Give specific consideration to the reproductive system and function

3.6 Develop a treatment plan  according to findings

3.7 Implement the treatment plan

3.8 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations  according to clinic guidelines

3.9 Organise and document follow up visit /s  according to clinic guidelines

3.10 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

4. Provide specific assessment and care for the elderly

4.1 Take the case with specific reference  to the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

4.2 Obtain consent  from the client or guardian/care giver prior to commencing a physical examination

4.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

4.4 Assess the health of clients according to standard guidelines relating to age, and with regard to conditions common to their age, gender and/or particular state 

4.5 Give specific consideration to the client's memory, cognitive ability and care requirements

4.6 Develop a treatment plan  according to findings

4.7 Implement the treatment plan

4.8 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations  according to clinic guidelines

4.9 Organise and document follow up visit /s  according to clinic guidelines

4.10 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

5. Provide specific assessment and palliative care

5.1 Take the case with specific reference  to the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

5.2 Obtain consent  from the client or parent/guardian/care giver prior to commencing a physical examination

5.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

5.4 Assess the vitality  of the clients according to standard guidelines relating to age, and with regard to their age, gender and/or particular state 

5.5 Give specific consideration to the client's fears, expectations, any distressing or painful symptoms, immediate and future care requirements

5.6 Obtain information on the medical diagnosis, prognosis, potential risks and relevant tests

5.7 Develop a treatment plan  according to findings

5.8 Implement the treatment plan

5.9 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations  according to clinic guidelines

5.10 Organise and document follow up visit /s  according to clinic guidelines

5.11 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

5.12 Negotiate strategies for continued support and communication with the client and carers through the dying process

5.13 Provide referrals to other supportive treatments  or services if appropriate

6. Provide specific assessment and prophylactic care

6.1 Take the case with reference  to the age, particular state and /or specific situation  of the client

6.2 Obtain consent  from the client or, in the case of a minor, from a parent/guardian/care giver prior to commencing a physical examination

6.3 Conduct a physical examination relevant to the presenting symptoms and the age, gender and/or particular state  of the client

6.4 Assess the health of clients with regard to conditions common to their age and/or specific situation 

6.5 Give specific consideration is given to client's prophylaxis issues , options available for their specific situation, and access to health care services

6.6 Develop a treatment plan  according to findings

6.7 Implement the treatment plan

6.8 Document findings, treatment plan and therapeutic expectations  according to clinic guidelines

6.9 Explain instructions for taking prophylactic medicine 

6.10 Provide additional information on infection control procedures and management strategies for acute infections, if appropriate

6.11 Organise and document follow up visit /s  according to clinic guidelines

6.12 Document responses according to clinic guidelines and adjust treatment accordingly

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:

• A range of therapeutic alternatives
• Allopathic management strategies for terminal conditions
• Allopathic treatments for a range of common conditions
• Anatomy and physiology relating to normal neonatal development and childhood, puberty and adolescence, pregnancy and fœtal development, and ageing
• Basic counselling, with specific reference to grief, death and dying
• Common conditions affecting children, males, non-pregnant and pregnant females, and the aged
• Common infectious and notifiable diseases
• Common pathology tests and ability to evaluate the results
• Common physical manifestations of terminal diseases
• Ethical issues in medicine
• Homœopathic posology
• Homœopathic repertorial methods
• Homœopathic repertorial methods
• Infection control procedures
• Knowledge and understanding of the central philosophies, principles and practice of homœopathy
• Legislative requirements pertaining to notifiable diseases
• Legislative requirements pertaining to palliative care
• Legislative requirements pertaining to the treatment of minors
• Materia medica of sufficient scope and depth (derivation of data, systems of classification, keynotes, clinical indications) to enable
  accurate differentiation of indicated medicines in a broad range of acute
  and chronic conditions
• OHS requirements in the workplace
• Susceptibility and sensitivity
• The principles and tools of homœopathic practice

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:

• Accurately identify client information needs
• Accurately record details of client treatment
• Communicate in one-to-one and group settings in an appropriate manner
• Communicate with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• Conduct an age/gender specific external physical examination with minimal internal examination: eyes, ears, nose and throat
• Conduct an external physical examination and internal inspection of eyes, ears, nose and throat
• Conduct research
• Differentiate most appropriate posology for a range of common conditions
• Explain relevant services
• Implement treatment plans to achieve the best possible therapeutic outcome for the client, which may involve:

• complete documentation of all recommendations and client responses
• demonstrated application of established homœopathic clinical practices
• provision of homœopathic medicine(s)
• referral to another health care professional
• review of treatment plan
• treatment according to client's condition and presence of complicating factors
• treatment of a range of conditions/disease states
• use of counseling as a treatment method, where competence exists

• Provide client with required information
• Provide homœopathic treatment in a specific manner
• Provide palliative treatment honestly and with compassion and respect for the client and carers
• Use age appropriate communication skills in a one-to-one and group setting
• Work or model work which demonstrates an understanding of underpinning values and philosophies in the homœopathic framework

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 the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
• Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
• 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 :

• 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
• Infection control equipment

Method of assessment 

• Observation in the work place (if possible)
• Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
• Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
• Short tests and essays
• Oral questioning and discussion
• Actual or simulated clinical encounters
• Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision

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 units:

• HLTHOM604C Perform clinical screening examination
• HLTHOM608C Provide homoeopathic treatment and manage the case
• HLTHOM610C Take the homœopathic case

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.

Case taking may include specific reference to :

• Physical and/or developmental issues specific to age group, gender, and/or particular state
• Mental and/or emotional issues specific to age group, gender, and/or particular state
• Social issues specific to age group, gender, and/or particular state
• Family and personal medical history
• Level of dependence and requirements for care
• Level of understanding of relevant issues and options
• Access to care and/or support services
• Known pathology and associated medical treatments and tests

Particular state may include :

• Neonate (birth to 28 days) or infancy
• Prepubescent
• Pubescent
• Post-pubescent
• Non pregnant female
• Pregnant female
• Lactating female
• Peri menopausal female
• Post menopausal female
• Senescence
• Advanced pathology

Consent means :

• Informed consent according to local and national regulations and legal guidelines
• In the case of a minor or a ward of the State that an appropriate adult be present during any examination

Normal percentiles or developmental norms may refer to :

• Apgar score, birth weight
• Growth patterns and changes in the pattern of growth over a series of measurements
• Height, weight and head circumference measurements
• Tanner's scale of maturisation
• Major milestones in development
• Personal and social skills, fine motor skills, general motor skills and language development
• Standard milestone chart

Treatment plan may include :

• Homœopathic medicine according to the phase/stage of disease and presenting complaint
• Homœopathic medicine(s) for prophylactic care over time
• Counselling
• Information on breastfeeding and/or alternative feeding methods and weaning
• Information on toilet training or bladder reprogramming exercises
• Information on methods of contraception and safe sex practices
• Advice on personal hygiene
• Advice on infection control
• Advice on nutrition and/or dietary supplements
• Advice on removing obstacles to cure
• Referral to other health care professional/support services

Therapeutic expectations may include :

• Amelioration
• Aggravation
• Palliation of incurable condition
• Progression of disease
• No response
• Protection from contacted disease

Clinic guidelines may include :

• Procedures and guidelines
• Purpose or mission statement
• Code of ethics or practice
• Agreed practice

Follow up visit /s may include :

• Clinic consultations
• Telephone or email communications
• Home visits
• Hospice/hospital visits

Assessment of client vitality may include :

• Vital signs
• Physical reflexes
• Energy levels
• Sleep pattern
• Sensitivity to drugs and/or homœopathic medicines

Other supportive treatment or services may include :

• Body work -massage, Reiki, kinesiology, etc
• Remedial therapy
• Aromatherapy
• Acupuncture
• Cancer or AIDS support foundations
• Local palliative care associations
• Counsellors
• Nursing community care services
• Lactation consultants

Specific situation may include :

• Travel plans
• Remote location
• Desire/need for alternative to routine immunisation
• Desire/need for acute self-care

Prophylaxis issues may include :

• Client's need for protection
• Client's beliefs and wishes regarding immunisation and/or homœopathic prophylaxis
• Client's current state of health
• Client's past experiences with immunisation and/or homœopathic prophylaxis
• Social pressures and expectations

Instructions for taking the prophylactic medicine must include :

• Signs and symptoms indicating the need for a specific medicine
• Route of administration - ingestion, olfaction, application
• When - time of day in relation to food and/or other medications
• Frequency - single dose or repeated doses, interval between doses
• Self-monitoring - cessation, reporting aggravations or new symptoms
• Any additional instructions specific to the method of administration - eg dilution, plussing