Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge necessary for the fitting and trialling of prefabricated medical grade footwear and orthoses. Foot conditions that apply to this unit are of up to medium complexity and risk.

Application of the Unit 

This unit applies to the fitting, trialling and reviewing of medical grade footwear and orthoses. Foot conditions include those of up to medium complexity and risk. Work is generally conducted in a small business situation.

Medium complexity and risk foot conditions include situations where:

• corrections to the foot structure is required
• the client is suffering foot-related pain or discomfort
• ulceration is not present
• there is only a single risk factor
• risk factors may include age; systemic problems such as diabetes (insulin dependent), haemophilia, peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy; ulcers; missing toes; lower limb amputations

Work role may include:

• sole practitioner
• member of a team of medical grade footwear specialists
• member of an enterprise or regional health care team
• working in association with other allied health professionals

Translation of measurements and general foot shape needs to accommodate variables such as:

• individual tissue tolerances; the nature and extent of functional demands
• existing foot characteristics, including joint stiffness and prominent deformities
• potential interventions involving casting and last
• styles and material characteristics

This unit is applied according to OHS and workplace practices of the enterprise, which may include:

• requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment
• standard operating procedures
• work instructions
• oral, written and visual communication
• quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and, contribution to quality improvement of team/section output
• housekeeping
• tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling

This unit requires the application of skill associated with communication to interpret assessment and prescription information, discuss and confirm needs with the client and other parties and complete client records. Numeracy skills are used to take and analyse measurements and other data and develop specifications. Team work skills are used to work as a member of a health network and with the client to ensure correct fit. Planning and organising skills are used to coordinate fitting process and follow up and problem solving, initiative and enterprise are required to conduct fittings to ensure fit of prefabricated medical grade footwear and orthoses meets the specific needs of the client. Self management is required to ensure own work complies with specifications, requirements and quality standards.

Prerequisites 

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Clarify assessments and prescriptions

1.1 Assessments  and prescriptions are reviewed to confirm client requirements

1.2 Other parties are consulted, if necessary, to clarify or provide additional information

2 Conduct diagnostic fitting

2.1 A diagnostic fitting  is conducted using prefabricated or partially fabricated medical grade footwear and orthoses

2.2 Diagnostic fitting is evaluated and proposed construction and materials are reviewed

2.3 Trial is conducted to check for function of footwear and orthoses

3 Conduct trial and final fittings

3.1 Medical grade footwear and orthoses are fitted and any adjustments made after consultation with client

3.2 Trial fitting of footwear and orthoses is conducted to reflect real-life usage, ease of fitting and compliance with design and production specifications

3.3 Footwear is fitted and any adjustments made after discussion with client

3.4 Follow-up arrangements are made in conjunction with client

4 Conduct client follow-up and review

4.1 Foot and lower limb is re-examined and data collected is compared with previous observations

4.2 Measurements  are taken of foot, footwear and orthoses and compared to previous findings

4.3 New measurements are taken, if required, to confirm and establish extent of changes required to footwear and orthoses

4.4 New information is recorded in client records using established data recording procedures

4.5 All client and measurement information relating to changes to footwear and orthoses are recorded

4.6 Specifications are prepared for the development of new, or modification of existing, footwear and orthoses

4.7 Ongoing consultation is maintained between service providers during the client fitting and follow-up stages, if necessary and appropriate

5 Perform record keeping  procedures

5.1 Client files are maintained

5.2 Administrative tasks are completed

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Demonstrates knowledge of:

• the elements and principles of medical grade footwear, orthotic design and how they can be used to meet specified requirements
• applied anthropometrics of the foot, the variables in and effects of physical force systems (prosthetic and footwear) on the body and dimensional, shape and other physical characteristics of commercial orthoses and footwear
• principles of biomechanics and kinesiology that directly influence the design and development of medical grade footwear and orthoses
• sufficient knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology to carry out assessments up to and including medium-risk foot-related medical conditions
• common medical conditions associated with foot-related problems
• assessment and measurement techniques
• footwear, orthoses, construction and standards; terminology; diagnostic and definitive constructions; modification processes; materials and tools and equipment used
• practitioner and client relationship and factors that can affect this relationship; safety and environmental aspects of relevant enterprise activities
• Australian standards or industry standards used in the construction of footwear
• safety and environmental aspects of workplace production processes
• OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures
• quality practices
• workplace practices
• recording and reporting practices

Demonstrates skills to:

• measure and assess
• evaluate, problem solve and address a variety of common foot and foot-related problems
• fit footwear
• develop specifications for adjustment of footwear/orthoses
• communicate and interact effectively and professionally with clients, component suppliers and in the workplace
• establish and interpret procedures and processes
• determine report requirements and presenting reports and information in appropriate formats
• read, interpret and follow information on work specifications, standard operating procedures and work instructions and other reference material
• maintain accurate records
• communicate within the workplace
• sequence operations
• meet specifications
• clarify and check task-related information
• carry out work according to OHS practices

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 the Training Package.

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

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:

• undertake follow-up and review of client progress
• assess performance of footwear and orthoses
• communicate with clients and carers is in a manner consistent with the client's level of understanding of processes and procedures
• conduct physical examinations of the foot, footwear and orthoses
• record and document measurements and other test results
• use a problem-solving approach to make decisions related to medical grade footwear and orthoses
• comply with the principles and standards of 'duty of care'
• adhere to ethical standards of client confidentiality
• perform administrative tasks associated with maintaining client records and financial record keeping
• recognise primary accountability and responsibility for client
• communicate effectively with design team, customers etc.
• apply OHS policies in work operations
• maintain accurate records

Consistently applies skills and knowledge when:

• organising work
• completing tasks
• identifying improvements
• using workplace practices
• using OHS practices
• recording and reporting accidents and incidents
• assessing operational readiness of equipment used and work processes
• recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions
• completing work systematically with attention to detail without damage to goods and equipment

Context and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment and requires access to work areas, materials and equipment and to information on workplace practices and OHS practices.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit may be assessed independently or in combination with other relevant units.

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. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Legislative/regulatory requirements

All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements.

Assessment may include:

• evaluation of foot and related total body biomechanics
• observation of general physical condition and presenting medical conditions
• direct examination of the foot and related structures, including palpation
• obtainment of data of client's walk pattern using gait analysis techniques
• obtainment of measurements of foot, footwear and orthoses
• observation and clarification of pathology, deformities, muscle forms, joint functions etc.
• use of computer aided equipment
• discussion of client's expectations
• time required for adaptation to new footwear or orthoses
• ability to comply with instructions on use and misuse of footwear or orthoses

Fitting may include:

• on-site at enterprise
• in a hospital or community health care centre
• at a residential aged care or disability facility
• at client's or carer's home

Measurements may include:

• methods that can be performed:

• statically or dynamically
• with or without functional simulation, including weight bearing-and gait pattern analysers
• with or without manual or other manipulations to achieve greater correction or accommodation of the foot

Record keeping may include:

• documentation such as:

• detailed case records of client personal and medical information, assessments results and footwear and orthoses measurements
• reports to other health professionals or referral agencies

OHS practices

OHS practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and may include:

• manual handling techniques
• standard operating procedures
• personal protective equipment
• safe materials handling
• taking of rest breaks
• ergonomic arrangement of workplaces
• following marked walkways
• safe storage of equipment
• housekeeping
• reporting accidents and incidents
• other OHS practices relevant to the job and enterprise

Sector 

Medical Grade Footwear