Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to provide treatment for a limited range of common conditions and injuries. It includes the need to determine a treatment plan based on a clinical assessment and to provide treatment for common conditions and injuries, referring the client and reviewing the treatment plan

This unit of competence is limited to providing basic treatments within defined clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols

Application 

This unit of competency is applicable to Australian Defence Force (ADF) Health Care Providers

The provision of treatment relates specifically to the client's presenting complaint(s) and assessed common condition and injuries

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. Determine treatment plan

1.1 Determine treatment options most suitable to the client's condition, based on clinical assessment

1.2 Ascertain contraindications to treatment 

1.3 In determining the treatment plan, take into consideration treatment and advice provided by other health care providers

1.4 Take into consideration possible client compliance issues  in relation to determining specific treatment options

1.5 Determine treatment plan according to the clinical assessment and therapeutic needs of the client according to clinical guidelines , organisation policies , procedures  and own clinical judgment

1.6 Recognise the need for referral where the client's condition requires treatment that is outside the scope or 'authority to practice', and refer client

2. Implement treatment plan

2.1 Explain treatment plan clearly and simply to the client

2.2 Give client the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns

2.3 Gain informed consent from client in accordance with clinical guidelines , organisation policies and procedures 

2.4 Clarify responsibilities of health care provider and client within the treatment plan

2.5 Negotiate client compliance

2.6 Explain factors that may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment

2.7 Implement client care and treatments  in accordance with personal hygiene and infection control procedures 

2.8 Ask client to monitor responses to the treatment and to contact health care provider as required

2.9 Agree treatment evaluation/follow up strategies between the client and the health care provider

2.10 Record treatment in a manner that is easily read and interpreted by others and in accordance with organisation policy and procedure

3. Manage and review the treatment

3.1 Monitor responses to treatment and review against therapeutic expectations and record according to clinic guidelines

3.2 Evaluate progress with the client

3.3 Evaluate need for ongoing and /or additional treatment 

3.4 Negotiate and agree changes to the treatment plan with the client to ensure optimal outcomes

3.5 Instigate additional treatment or referral for further examination as required

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:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Assessing a medical emergency
• Common condition disease processes
• Contraindications of treatment
• Medical tests and diagnostic procedures and the need for referral
• Pathophysiology and disease processes
• Presenting common condition and whether that phase is treatable within scope of practice
• Principles of clinical assessment, prescribing, and case management
• Referral procedure and pathways
• Role of other health care providers and support services

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Apply treatments to seven different clients covering at least three common conditions listed in the range statement
• Employ effective communication techniques during the client interview process

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

This includes the ability to:

• Complete basic arithmetic calculations and record numbers
• Manage medical emergencies
• Manage time throughout consultation and treatment
• Negotiate
• Prioritise workload
• Provide appropriate treatment
• Read and interpret medical reports and other data relevant to the condition
• Refer the client to a health care practitioner
• Solve problems
• Use available resources
• Use equipment and resources competently and safely
• Use interpersonal and questioning skills
• Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Work with others and display empathy with clients and relatives

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
• Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the work
• Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the work context, the assessment environment should represent work conditions as closely as possible

Resource implications 

• Assessment requires access to:

• Clients presenting with common conditions
• appropriate equipment and stores
• relevant clinical guidelines and protocols

Consistency in performance 

• Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of treatments that could be expected in the workplace

Context of assessment 

• Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace

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 unit:

• HLTDEFHC403B Conduct a clinical assessment

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.

Treatments may include :

• Applying hot/cold therapy
• Performing basic dressings and bindings
• Performing basic clinical procedures
• Prescribing and administering medication IAW clinical guidelines, organisation policies, procedures and treatment protocols
• Providing treatment advice
• Referring the client for further clinical assessment and treatment

Clinical guidelines , organisation policies and procedures may include :

• ADF nursing procedure manual
• ADF treatment protocols
• Clinical standards (state and national)
• Industry professional bodies
• Industry standards (state and national)
• Organisation policy directives
• Privacy Act
• Relevant Australian Standards

Contraindications to treatment may include :

• Ability or willingness to comply with treatment
• Known medication allergies
• Known medication hypersensitivity
• Known medication contraindications and interactions
• Personal or life circumstances
• Traumatic injuries or conditions requiring immediate medical attention

Client compliance issues refers to :

• Ability to follow instructions or suggestions
• Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions

Common conditions and injuries may include :

• Acute rhinitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Bites and stings
• Bowel constipation
• Common cold
• Contact dermatitis
• Diarrhoea
• Fever
• Fungal and yeast infections of the skin
• Headache
• Influenza
• Lip soreness
• Miliaria (Pickly heat)
• Motion sickness
• Parasitic infestations of the skin
• Pharyngitis
• Worms/parasites infestations
• Foreign body in eye
• Skin injuries, such as blisters, lacerations, punctures, grazing, contusions or minor burns
• Soft tissue injuries, such as haematoma, sprain, strain or overuse injuries

Personal hygiene and infection control procedures may include :

• Australian and state standards and legislation
• Industry standards
• Organisation procedures
• Standard precautions such as hand washing procedures
• Direct instructions from supervisor

Ongoing and /or additional treatment may include :

• Change of treatment regime
• Change of frequency of treatment
• Repetition of same treatment