HLTCOM502B Develop professional expertise

Release: 1

HLTCOM502B Develop professional expertise

Modification History

Unit Descriptor

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to initiate and maintain continual development of professional skills and knowledge in complementary healthcare and contribute to the knowledge base of the specific healthcare practice

Application of the Unit

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Pre-Requisites

Employability Skills Information

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills

The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

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.

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements and Performance Criteria
Element	Performance Criteria
1	Seek out and apply traditional, alternative and scientific information	1.1	Utilise a variety of methods to collect and evaluate data in the clinical setting
1.2	Access and evaluate literature on the theory and practice of traditional, alternative and scientific medicine
1.3	Give case presentations and/or literature reviews in a public/peer setting
2	Implement reflective learning practices	2.1	Evaluate, compare and contrast new treatments, protocols and other new ideas
2.2	Transfer skills and competencies to new contexts
2.3	Use knowledge of the historical, theoretical and philosophical aspects of the field of practice to improve existing practices
2.4	Identify strengths and weaknesses and implement measures to improve these
3	Contribute to the development of professional practices	3.1	Establish links with other healthcare professionals using a knowledge of local, community and hospital based services
3.2	Maintain membership of relevant professional association/s
3.3	Actively pursue participation in professional development activities
3.4	Monitor progress of professional on a regular basis
4	Critically evaluate specific research	4.1	Describe research strategies
4.2	Identify stakeholders and their communication needs
4.3	Identify research requirements
4.4	Analyse research information and data
4.5	Report research

Required Skills and Knowledge

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.
Essential knowledge: Knowledge of research strategies Knowledge of research techniques Knowledge of recent issues and events affecting the industry Knowledge of research issues and their application Knowledge of statistical analysis Knowledge of relevant reference works Knowledge of professional development activities available Knowledge of the historical, theoretical and philosophical aspects of the field of practice Knowledge of time management strategies Knowledge of own personal and professional strengths and weaknesses
Essential skills: Ability to: Participate in professional development activities listed in the range of variables Identify and communicate research findings with others Collect, organise and analyse research data Demonstrate report writing skills Demonstrate presentation skills Demonstrate competence in communicating industry specific information Write reports Demonstrate literacy, numeracy and computer skills

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:	Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application. The assessee 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 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 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:	Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible Resources essential for assessment include: An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment Relevant texts or medical manuals Documented process to enable the access and interpretation of up-to-date information Relevant assessment instruments Appropriate assessment environment Skilled assessors:
Method of assessment	Observation in the work place and practical demonstration 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. Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision. Explanations for techniques Research work
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

Range Statement

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.
Professional development activities may include:	Articles, public presentations, interviews and other communications Attendance at lectures or other education activities Participation in research projects Participation in provings Attendance at association meetings Subscription to professional journals Clinic supervision Provision of or participation in training Study, distance-based learning Mentoring
Monitored may refer to:	Feedback from colleagues Accreditation to professional associations Peer discussions Workplace assessments Supervisory feedback Assessment of clinic results Client surveys Monitoring of client attendance and business success
Research strategies include:	Selecting and defining hypotheses according to standard research practice Case history Surveys and questionnaires Participant recruitment Recognised research techniques Research validation, peer review, reputability
Research requirements may include:	Designing and making available material and other aids needed to conduct research eg questionnaires Identifying all relevant information sources Arranging times and places for collection of information Collecting and storing information Maintaining confidentiality where appropriate
Report research includes:	Presenting research, methodology and findings to industry peers Providing analysis of the data, issues and needs arising during research Providing an analysis of methodology used

Unit Sector(s)