Unit of competency details

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TP Version 

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3

PSP12V1

Unit descriptor edited.

2

PSP04V4.2

Layout adjusted. No changes to content.

1

PSP04V4.1

Primary release.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Collect and assess assignment information. 

1.1. Clarify the scope of assignments  with clients, including languages, terms and conditions , and any specific requirements.

1.2. Analyse background information for details of the nature and conditions of assignments.

1.3. Provide information to clients on terms, conditions and conventions to reach an agreed approach .

1.4. Identify performance expectations  and their implications for undertaking the assignment .

2. Assess ability to complete assignment. 

2.1. Evaluate personal competence  and preparedness  to satisfy assignment requirements and areas for negotiation with clients.

2.2. Identify and assess limits and responsibility , and their implications .

2.3. Seek advice to inform decision-making process.

3. Respond to assignment proposal. 

3.1. Review and maintain a record  of decision-making process.

3.2. Advise client or agency of decision to accept or decline the assignment in a professional and timely manner.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• analytical skills to assess personal competence to meet task requirements
• communication skills to discuss translating or interpreting process, outcomes and potential difficulties
• interpersonal skills to:

• relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of levels of communication
• seek advice to inform assessment of assignment
• make clients aware of translating and interpreting protocols and expectations
• convey decision to accept or decline assignment in a professional and timely manner

• language skills to negotiate about cross-cultural expectations
• language and literacy skills to read client-provided information and establish its key features
• numeracy skills to calculate costs and contract fees
• negotiation skills to clarify client requirements, performance expectations, agreement terms and conditions, and agreed approach, and to reach a mutually accepted agreement
• problem-solving skills to address areas of skill needs, logistics and potential ethical issues
• research skills to gather information to assist in negotiating assignments

Required knowledge 

• personal safety and welfare issues related to specific assignments and potential risks
• professional procedures, ethical practices and business standards applicable to negotiating an assignment
• roles and responsibilities of translators and interpreters and their associated skills
• relevant code of ethics
• source and target languages to determine scope and expectations of the project
• tools and equipment relevant to project

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms the ability to clarify required approach to assignments with a range of clients to reach agreement on terms and conditions. This includes:

• analysing information about the nature and scope of assignment
• negotiating agreed approach and conditions with clients
• undertaking risk analysis and identifying and addressing concerns
• establishing preparedness and personal competence to successfully complete assignment
• accepting and declining assignments within required timeframe
• maintaining a record of agreements and preparation outcomes for future reference.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment of this unit of competency will make use of scenarios, case studies, experiences and, where possible, examples of interactions with colleagues and clients which illustrate issues of negotiating assignments.

Resources for assessment include:

• a range of clients and environments where assignments are clarified, negotiated, accepted and declined
• assignment and contractual documentation
• business records
• relevant codes of practice

Assessment should be gathered to demonstrate negotiated agreements with a range of different client requirements and conditions and with examples of both accepting and declining assignments. Evidence may include examples of formal and informal contracts, and should also include evidence of decision making where there are ethical, business and professional issues influencing decisions.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.

Scope of assignments  may include:

• source and target languages
• stakeholders
• preparation of supporting resources
• required equipment and tools, including software
• responsibilities of role
• confidentiality
• client awareness of professional terms, conditions and expectations
• environmental issues such as sight lines, lighting and seating position
• for interpreting:

• topic, purpose and nature of assignment
• setting, and mode of interpreting appropriate to setting
• parties involved and relevant social and cultural requirements
• date, time and location
• duration

• for translating:

• assignment schedule, including stage deadlines
• field, subject and topic
• previous translations and translators
• volume of material to be translated
• type of technology to be used and who will provide
• type of text and its end use
• application of assignment-specific style guide conventions
• translation memory tools.

Terms and conditions  may include:

• assignment timeframe
• financial arrangements, such as:

• costings
• expense reimbursement
• invoicing and schedule of payment
• necessary arrangements for travel and accommodation

• contract conditions, including variation and termination procedures

Agreed approach  may include:

• increased client awareness and acknowledgement of the role of the practitioner
• addressing potential misunderstandings
• clarifying expectations
• determining alternative strategies with client where assignment is accepted
• conditions applying to known requirements exceeding personal competence
• for interpreting:

• chuchotage, consecutive or simultaneous interpreting mode
• team or collaborative interpreting

• for translating:

• translating as part of a team
• translating alone

Performance expectations  may include:

• background resources for preparation
• privacy and confidentiality agreements
• culture-specific requirements
• limits, responsibilities and risks associated with role
• attesting to work
• client glossaries
• equipment and technology
• acknowledgement of professional standards and codes of practice
• for interpreting:

• sight translation
• setting and register
• physical parameters relating to such things as:
• background noise
• sight lines and visibility
• voice projection
• transcribing
• type of interpreting service

• for translating:

• formatting or text-processing requirements
• style guides
• presenting non-text components
• required timeframe for completed translation

Personal competence  may include:

• ability to meet performance expectations of required languages, including passive and active facility
• familiarity with context, topic and terminology
• mastery of register appropriate to audience and setting
• previous relevant experience
• relevant social, cultural or kinship factors

Preparedness  may relate to:

• checking required equipment and software
• developing familiarity with topic and subject matter
• identifying conflict of interest
• identifying relevant social, cultural or kinship factors
• for translating:

• checking formatting or text-processing requirements

Limits and responsibility  may include:

• health and safety concerns
• legal and accountability issues
• potential conflict of interest
• personal competence and risks of miscommunication
• duty of care

Maintain a record  may include:

• client and assignment details
• formal and informal contracts
• exchange of communication on:

• agreed duties
• assignment conditions
• assignment requirements
• explanation of why the assignment cannot be undertaken