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Unit of competency details

HLTAHA038 - Support the use of orthoses or prostheses (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes HLTAHA016 - Support the fitting of assistive equipmentNon Equivalent. Changes to Elements, Performance Criteria and Performance Evidence to reflect updated job role requirements. Unit Code and Title updated. 24/Nov/2022

Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 25/Nov/2022

Companion volumes:
Unit of competency Assessment requirements

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Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 061799 Rehabilitation Therapies, N.e.c.  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 061799 Rehabilitation Therapies, N.e.c.  08/Feb/2023 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Not applicable.

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide assistance to an Allied Health Professional such as an Orthotist or Prosthetist. Work includes supporting persons who use orthoses and prostheses, their carers and other members of a multi-disciplinary team, to assist with the manufacture and provision of orthoses and protheses.

This unit applies to Allied Health Assistants and should be performed under the direct, indirect or remote supervision and delegation of an Orthotist or Prosthetist.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Allied Health Assistant Framework, Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Allied Health

Unit Sector

Health

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Receive delegation and gather information.

1.1. Obtain written or verbal delegation for an allied health activity from the Orthotist or Prosthetist.

1.2. Obtain information from relevant sources and delegating Orthotist or Prosthetist, according to organisational policy and procedures.

1.3. Discuss and confirm details and service requirements of orthosis or prosthesis with delegating Orthotist or Prosthetist.

1.4. Identify any service requirements outside scope of role and discuss with delegating Orthotist or Prosthetist.

2. Assist with the manufacture and modification of orthoses or prostheses.

2.1. Determine procedural requirements from the treating Orthotist or Prosthetist.

2.2. Seek assistance or clarification to procedural requirements.

2.3. Ensure the physical environment required meets work health and safety (WHS) and procedural requirements, as directed by the Orthotist or Prosthetist, and organisational policies and procedures.

2.4. Identify existing usable resources, as delegated by the Orthotist or Prosthetist.

2.5. Obtain relevant measurements and data collection where required or requested as delegated by the Orthotist or Prosthetist.

2.6. Identify and remove any faulty or unsafe component of the orthosis or prosthesis under the supervision of an Orthotist or Prosthetist, and complete necessary reporting and or documentation.

2.7. Confirm components of orthosis or prosthesis comply with requirements and manufacturer warranty as delegated by Orthotist or Prosthetist.

2.8. Under the supervision and delegation of the Orthotist or Prosthetist, use machinery and equipment for manufacture and modification in accordance with manufacturer guidelines, and organisational policies and procedures.

2.9. Review completed orthosis or prosthesis with Orthotist or Prosthetist and interpret and respond to instructions regarding further manufacture or modification requirements.

3. Assist with the provision and use of orthoses or prostheses.

3.1. Ensure orthosis or prosthesis is clean and in safe working order before provision.

3.2. Assist in the provision of orthosis or prosthesis under the supervision or delegation of the Orthotist or Prosthetist

3.3. Instruct the persons who use orthoses or prostheses and carers in the safe use, transportation and maintenance of the orthosis or prosthesis

3.4. Confirm the person who uses orthoses or prostheses, or their carer have documentation and understand any further action that needs to be taken regarding the use of the orthosis or prosthesis and clarify any issues.

3.5. Document maintenance periods and requirements for the orthosis or prosthesis.

4. Prepare for use of orthoses or prostheses within clinical setting.

4.1. Confirm the nature of the orthosis or prosthesis and resource requirements with delegating Orthotist or Prosthetist.

4.2. Select and confirm suitability of resources, type of orthosis or prosthesis and specified goals of the person who uses orthoses and prostheses, as delegated by the Orthotist or Prosthetist.

4.3. Remove or minimise potential hazards and prepare the setting for use and instruction as delegated by the Orthotist or Prosthetist.

4.4. Obtain consent from the person who uses orthoses or prostheses before commencing orthotic or prosthetic service.

4.5. Ensure orthosis or prosthesis is clean and in safe working order before use.

4.6. Confirm requirements for orthosis or prosthesis assembly or adjustment specifications and complete in accordance with manufacturer specifications and delegating Orthotist or Prosthetist.

4.7. Check and document completed assembly or adjustments and seek support from Orthotist or Prosthetist if difficulty arises.

4.8. Follow stepping down procedures outlined in treatment plan or organisational procedures when the persons become distressed, in pain or communicate their desire to slow down, change activity or stop.

4.9. Report any adverse effect, or, and major progress due to the orthosis or prostheses to the Orthotist or Prosthetist.

4.10. Provide constructive feedback to the person who uses orthoses or prostheses and monitor the effectiveness of the use.

5. Comply with supervisory requirements.

5.1. Seek assistance when the persons who use orthoses or prostheses present with needs or signs outside limits of own scope of role.

5.2. Consult with delegating Orthotist or Prosthetist when additional information is required.

5.3. Report the person who uses orthoses or prostheses difficulties to the delegating Orthotist or Prosthetist before continuing the orthotic or prosthetic service.

5.4. Participate in supervision processes with the delegating Orthotist or Prosthetist in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

6. Clean and store orthoses or prostheses and materials.

6.1. Clean orthoses or prostheses and materials in accordance with manufacturer requirements.

6.2. Store orthoses or prostheses and materials in accordance with manufacturer requirements and organisational procedures.

6.3. Tag and report defective orthoses or prostheses in accordance with organisational procedures and ensure replacement.

7. Document information regarding the use of orthoses or prostheses.

7.1. Document information relating to the person’s orthotic or prosthetic service in accordance with organisational requirements.

7.2. Provide regular feedback to the person who uses orthoses or prostheses and the delegating Orthotist or Prosthetist.

7.3. Document symptomatic expression of identified problems related to the orthotic or prosthetic service.

7.4. Use professional terminology when documenting and discussing persons' information.

Foundation Skills

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Unit Mapping Information

Supersedes and is not equivalent to HLTAHA016 Support the fitting of assistive equipment.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ced1390f-48d9-4ab0-bd50-b015e5485705

 

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Not applicable.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

  • support the use of orthoses or prostheses as delegated by the Orthotist or Prosthetist, for three people with different requirements, encompassing one in simulation and two in the workplace
  • instruct three people with different requirements, encompassing one in simulation and two in the workplace, in the safe use, transportation and maintenance of orthoses or prostheses
  • perform the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 120 hours of allied health assistance work. At least 60% of this work must be carried out in an allied health workplace. The remaining 40% may be carried out in a simulated environment, if an allied health workplace is unavailable.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrate the knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

  • procedures for escalation of risks
  • allied health core competencies:
  • person-centred care
  • individual therapy
  • group therapy
  • communication of information with persons who use orthoses and prostheses
  • technology and environment
  • communication needs of persons with congenital, developmental, acquired and progressive disabilities
  • TGA regulatory requirements including:
  • identifying the manufacturer of a medical device
  • how and why it is important to work within a manufacturer specifications and intended purpose of the device
  • when and how to liaise with appropriate Orthotist or Prosthetist when there is a breach of manufacturer specifications and intended purpose of the device
  • how to evaluate the environment of a persons who uses orthoses or prostheses, and the importance and methods of making the environment safe for use of an orthosis or prosthesis
  • how to assemble, adjust and test orthoses or prostheses within scope of practice for an Allied Health Assistant
  • the principles of movement, mobility and posture management including an understanding of balance and gait
  • the range, associated systems and purpose of orthoses and prostheses
  • the psychological effects of disability due to injury or disease and strategies used to cope
  • the signs of adverse reaction to different orthotic or prosthetic services
  • factors that facilitate an effective and collaborative working relationship
  • organisational policies and procedures in relation to:
  • confidentiality:
  • privacy
  • disclosure
  • documentation:
  • reporting
  • recording patient data
  • written communication to Allied Health Professionals
  • duty of care
  • professional behaviour, presentation, language and terminology
  • infection control practices as it relates to supply and use of orthoses and prostheses
  • work health and safety (WHS)
  • manual handling
  • supervisory requirements and delegation
  • instructing people
  • informed consent
  • work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations including other allied health team members and nursing, medical and other personnel
  • Scope of practice of the Allied Health Assistant and Orthotist or Prosthetist
  • principles of empowering the older person
  • principles of empowering people living with disability or serious mental illness
  • changes related to ageing
  • concepts of holistic health and wellbeing
  • social determinants of health
  • concepts of the medical model, the biopsychosocial models and the human rights-based approach of allied health interventions
  • principles of choice and control
  • concept of reablement
  • allied health settings:
  • hospital
  • community health
  • mental health
  • disability sector
  • aged care sectors.

Assessment Conditions

Skills may be demonstrated in the workplace, or in a simulated environment, as per the conditions outlined in the performance evidence.

Assessment must ensure:

  • access to suitable facilities, equipment and resources that reflect real working conditions and model industry operating conditions and contingencies
  • access to individualised plans and any relevant technology outlined in the plan
  • access to organisational policies and procedures
  • access to manufacturer instructions
  • access to a range of orthoses and prostheses
  • opportunities for engagement with real people accessing allied health services.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and:

  • be a Certificate IV qualified Allied Health Assistant with a minimum of three years of professional experience in allied health services; or
  • a registered Allied Health Professional or Orthotist or Prosthetist.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ced1390f-48d9-4ab0-bd50-b015e5485705

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