Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required by workers who provide immediate and ongoing support and interventions for consumers with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues drawing on a range of models and techniques supported by evidence

Application 

This unit applies to work with mental health consumers in a range of community services work contexts

This work provides a person-centred approach to care, involving a variety of health and community service professionals working collaboratively with the client, their carer/s and family

In this unit 'dual diagnosis clients' means consumers with 'mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD)' diagnoses

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. Support consumers with a dual diagnosis 

1.1 Identify consumers who may have co-existing mental health and AOD issues

1.2 Assess the impact and nature of co-existing conditions on individual consumers, including their social and legal status

1.3 Implement and support models of rehabilitation for dual diagnosis consumers

2. Identify, liaise with and support available services to address co-existing morbidity issues

2.1 Identify and apply own service provision and agency interventions that address co-morbidity

2.2 Support other available services to address consumer with dual diagnosis

2.3 Directly support services commonly accessed by dual diagnosis clients to improve practice

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:

• Holistic care - health, social, legal
• Predisposing factors to mental illness and indicators of pathology i.e. Substance use, mental health
• Legal Issues
• support models of rehabilitation
• Interventions appropriate to co-morbidity
• Counselling models/practices including basic knowledge of theories supporting counselling process
• Professional service provision codes of conduct, ethical codes, referral protocols
• Group dynamics models/practices
• Range of services available
• Organisation procedures and program standards
• Cultural protocols, taboos and language systems
• Facilitation model/practices
• Statutory mandate and responsibilities
• Human development and understanding of life stages
• Behaviour change models/practices
• Stress indicators
• Evidence-based practice including National Mental Health Practice Standards

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Work cooperatively with clients/significant others to achieve behavioural life skills changes
• Work with individuals in a range of settings to achieve maximum outcomes

In addition, 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:

• Demonstrate application of skills in:

• crisis intervention
• demonstration of empathy
• relationship building
• communication
• negotiation
• managing groups
• stress management
• assertion
• conflict management
• influencing skills
• training and education

• Apply counselling skills, including:

• counselling context, process and goals
• establishing a trusting relationship
• information gathering
• reflective listening, respectful responding, development of empathy and rapport
• human life stage development

• Maintain documentation as required, including effective use of relevant information technology in line with occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines

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 :

• The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
• Competency must be demonstrated in a real work environment
• Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance over contexts applicable to the work environment
• Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities in the workplace

Access and equity considerations :

• All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights 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 issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on 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 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment :

• This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
• Assessment of this competency will require human resources consistent with those outlined in the Assessment Guidelines

Method of assessment :

• Competency must be demonstrated in a real work environment
• In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios
• Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on Essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
• Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a 'period of time' and/or in a 'number of locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

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.

Dual diagnosis refers to :

• Consumers with co-existing mental health and AOD diagnoses

Working with consumers will be carried out within requirements established by :

• Relevant legislation and statutory requirements
• International conventions relating to the rights of individuals
• Organisation policy and codes of conduct
• Relevant program standards
• Professional association codes of conduct and ethical and ethical positions