Unit of competency details

HLT07 Version 4

HLT07 Version 5

Comments

HLTHOM612C Work within a homœopathic framework

HLTHOM612D Work within a homœopathic framework

ISC upgrade changes to remove references to old OHS legislation and replace with references to new WHS legislation. No change to competency outcome.

Descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to work effectively within a homœopathic framework and correctly present the homœopathic framework to client and the general public

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. Demonstrate knowledge of homœopathic paradigm

1.1 Communicate definition and historical development of homœopathy effectively

1.2 Identify and explain central philosophy of homœopathy

1.3 Use homœopathic philosophy to interpret health issues

2. Identify and describe the principles and practices of homœopathy

2.1 Identify and describe the major method of treatment used by homœopaths

2.2 Identify and describe other methods of treatment used by homœopaths

2.3 Identify and describe appropriate homœopathic diagnostic techniques and tools

3. Demonstrate basic knowledge of other therapies

3.1 Identify a range of other therapies

3.2 Provide basic information on other therapies

3.3 Identify the relationship between homoeopathy and other therapies

4. Represent homœopathy to the community

4.1 Explain practices and principles of homœopathy clearly in a one-to-one and group setting

4.2 Clarify enquiries and provide appropriate information

4.3 Request client to bring relevant data to the consultation

4.4 Discuss alternative sources of information/advice with the client

5. Work within clinic and regulation guidelines

5.1 Access and follow clinic guidelines

5.2 Access and follow legal and regulatory guidelines

5.3 Undertaken relevant documentation

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 therapies
• Basic knowledge of philosophical tradition of science / conventional / western medicine
• Basic knowledge of sociology of health and the health care system
• Basic knowledge of the current political context of health care
• Basic knowledge of the history, central philosophies and principles of homoeopathy
• Basic knowledge of the practices of other therapies
• Ethical issues in medicine
• Work health and safety (WHS) requirements in the workplace
• Relationship between homœopathy and other therapies
• The philosophies, 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:

• Appropriately record details of client enquiries according to clinic guidelines
• Communicate essentials of homœopathic practice in one-to-one and group settings
• Correctly identify client information needs
• Demonstrate communication skills in a one-to-one and group setting
• Explain relevant services
• Provide client with required information
• 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)
• 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 may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
• 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:

• Relevant texts or medical manuals
• Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
• Appropriate assessment environment
• Skilled assessors

Method of assessment

• Observation in the work place
• 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
• Oral questioning and discussion
• Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting. 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

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.

Definition of homœopathy:

Homœopathy is a system of therapeutics based on the principle of the law of similars. This requires the selection and prescription of a medicine (remedy) that, through prior testing on healthy people and from clinical experience and observation, is known to be capable of producing a set of symptoms most similar to the symptom picture of the client. The medicine is prescribed in the minimum dose required to bring about (stimulate) healing. This therapeutic methodology in no way limits the scope of homœopaths in the provision of ancillary or emergency care, where this accords with homœopathic principles and is required for the well-being of the client.

The central philosophy of homœopathy is based:

The law of similars - the principle that an individual case of disease with a given set of symptoms can be cured by a medicine which is known to produce the most similar set of symptoms when trailed/proven on healthy individuals.

Major method of treatment:

• The prescription of a single homœopathic medicine

Other methods of treatment refers to:

• Nutritional guidance
• Personal hygiene advice
• Counselling
• Removing obstacles to cure
• Other medical therapies

Appropriate homœopathic diagnostic techniques may include:

• Homœopathic case taking
• Repertorisation
• Observation
• Physical examination
• Specimen collection and testing

Homoeopathic diagnostic tools may include:

• Homoeopathic materia medica and/or repertory
• Related medical texts
• Glucometer/test strips/lancets
• Peak flow meter
• Stethoscope
• Opthalmoscope
• Percussion hammer
• Transluminator
• Thermometer
• Sphygmomanometer
• Scales
• Height measure
• Length measure
• Urine test stix
• Spirometers
• Torches
• Otoscope
• Any other instrument as appropriate

Other therapies may include:

• Naturopathy or other alternative/complementary therapies
• Osteopathy
• Chiropractic
• Physiotherapy
• Medical
• Counselling

Basic information on other therapies may include:

• Recommended sources
• Basic tools and techniques

Relationship between homoeopathy and other therapies may include:

• Contra-indications to treatment
• Effects of one treatment over or with another
• Treatment according to stage of condition
• Interactions between different therapies
• When other therapies may be useful

Enquiries may require:

• Duration of treatment
• Expected treatment outcomes
• Possible approaches to treatment
• Estimated cost of treatment
• Availability of health fund rebates
• Work cover eligibility
• Professional status of practitioner
• Availability of home visits
• After hours/locum service
• Provision for hospital visits

Appropriate information may include:

• Confirmation of appointment date and time
• Clinic location and directions
• Cost of consultations and/or prescriptions
• Payment options

Relevant data may include:

• Source of referral
• Client questionnaire
• Medical reports
• Medication
• Biological specimens

Clinic guidelines may include:

• Procedures and guidelines
• Purpose or mission statement
• Code of ethics or practice
• Level of competency and degree of supervision
• Partnership/group decisions, agreed practice

Legal and regulatory guidelines may include:

• WHS guidelines
• Anti-discrimination legislation
• Privacy Act
• Infection control

Relevant documentation may include:

• Nature of enquiry
• Client contact details
• Incident reports
• Appointment details