The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 200 hours of TCM remedial massage client consultation work
prepared for and managed at least 100 TCM remedial massage assessments - clients must include males and females from different stages of life with varied presentations
used the TCM remedial massage framework to assess client therapeutic needs:
used observation, auscultation/olfaction, interrogation and palpation diagnostic methods to collect useful information
used different TCM syndrome differentiation knowledge to gather and analyse client conditions
interacted effectively with clients:
clearly articulated information about services, treatment options and rationale
engaged clients in decision making
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) for client assessment:
codes of conduct
duty of care
informed consent
mandatory reporting
practitioner/client boundaries
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
working role boundaries
working within scope of practice
presenting symptoms that require referral to a medical practitioner
work health and safety
referral options for practitioners:
professional health services including complementary health modalities
community resources and support services
types and availability of further medical testing
factors and barriers that may impact on assessment, including:
physical
psychological
cultural
factors that affect individual health status, including:
constitution
lifestyle
diet
personal and medical history
values and attitudes
balance of rest and activity
physical environment
social environment
factors for consideration for different genders and ages:
women
men
children and adolescents
older people
client information required for assessment and the scope and depth of information needed regarding:
client objectives and expectations
client history and its components
client current state of health
main clinical complaints
signs and symptoms
onset
duration
location
quality and severity
non-verbal
different ways that signs and symptoms of conditions present:
physical
psychological
social
spiritual
features of signs and symptoms
philosophy and principles of TCM remedial massage framework, including examination of entirety, combination of disease diagnosis and syndrome differentiation, together using of all diagnostic methods
TCM four diagnostic methods:
observation: spirit, complexion, body shape, deformity, posture and tongue and coating
interrogation: chief complaint(s), history of present illness, emotional symptoms, pain, energy level, diet and appetite, stools and urine, female specific presentations
auscultation/olfaction: voice, breathing, sighing, cough, hiccup and belching, body smelling
palpation: pulse taking, chest, abdomen and four limbs palpation, channels and acu-points palpation
TCM syndrome differentiation:
TCM syndrome identification according to eight principles
TCM syndrome identification according to internal organs
TCM syndrome identification according to Qi, blood and body fluid
TCM syndrome identification according to the others differentiation methods
possible reactions, contraindications to treatment and/or limitations for assessment:
common contra-indications of TCM remedial massage - agnogenic spin injury, fracture, severe internal organ diseases, infection diseases, severe skin diseases
limitations of TCM remedial massage - lack of the structures, including lack of anatomic structure, pathology change at certain areas, weakness in specificity, lack of prognosis
disease processes and affecting factors for a range of common diseases:
body constitution
diet
exercise
emotion
lifestyle
treatment methods
basic physiology and anatomy according to TCM framework
relational dynamics within and between human behaviour, anatomy and physiology, pathology and the natural world
aetiology and pathology
disease causation, acute and chronic inflammatory processes, wound healing and haemorrhage processes
infectious and immunity process
character and function of channels and points
influence of rest and activity on health status
relationship between physical and social environment and health
treatment planning techniques and considerations
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated clinical environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
health assessment/client consultation forms
private consultation area
massage table
massage towels
modelling of industry operating conditions, including provision of services to the general public
clinic supervision by a person who meets the assessor requirements outlined below for at least 120 of the 200 hours of client consultation work
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
In addition, assessors must:
have at least 3 years current clinical experience working as a TCM remedial massage therapist providing services to the general public
hold practising membership of an Australian professional body that represents TCM remedial massage therapists
fulfil the continuing professional development requirements of the professional body to which they belong