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 These include knowledge of: Aspects of working with clients, including: common relapse precipitants a range of strategies for working with clients case management principles client empowerment/disempowerment client-centred approach different lifestyles protocols around use of interpreters range of cultural contexts (e.g. lifestyle, set of beliefs and customs) rights of workers and clients self-esteem, abuse issues, self-awareness, own biases, ethical obligations relating to helping relationships strategies to promote participation in programs types of counselling (e.g. motivational interviewing, brief and intensive intervention, and relapse prevention) Co-morbidity issues relating to assessment of people with AOD issues Effects of AOD use, including: basic health issues relating to AOD use (e.g. malnutrition, blood borne diseases, skin infestations, effects of drug use on health, cognitive, social, emotional development and impact on others) basic pharmacology (e.g. types of drugs, dose levels, effects of specific drugs, tolerance, and treatment approaches broadly) consequences and effects of drug substitution/replacement effects of prescribed drugs on the use of other drugs patterns of drug use in Australia and the local community range of use and use scenarios (e.g. lifestyle context of illegal drug use) signs and symptoms of medical risk associated with AOD use stages and symptoms of AOD withdrawal the effects of alcohol-related brain injury Established processes and protocols for determining: health status length of dependence level of dependence patterns of use Legal and organisation knowledge, including: legal and organisation requirements for client registration, allocation and referral organisation policies and procedures for documenting work with clients organisation policies on reporting and confidentiality range of AOD specific treatment intervention options, including detoxification, inpatient treatment programs, outpatient treatment services and brief interventions understanding agency role, agency target group and the impacts on the local community Legal issues, including: legal issues surrounding AOD use legal status of drugs Policy issues, including: harm minimisation, including a range of approaches (e.g. prevention, early intervention, abstinence, specialist treatment, supply control and safer drug use) public health model (e.g. interaction of impact of drugs, individual and the environment) Risk management in relation to interventions for people with AOD and co-morbidity issues Theoretical frameworks about motivation to change AOD use Working with clients at risk of self-harm, including: legal and ethical obligations regarding clients at risk of self-harm or with mental illnesses links between predisposing factors for self-harm, drug use and mental health problems no-suicide contracts and other protective strategies suicidal or self-harming behaviour, ideation or intention |