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

These include knowledge of

Understanding of own work role and responsibilities

Pastoral care traditions and practices

Awareness of cultural perspectives on spirituality and major denominational doctrines worship and practices

Specialised information sources

Research techniques

Analysis and interpretation

Professional codes of practice and behaviour

Ethical standards and codes of conduct in relation to pastoral care workers eg Australian Health and Welfare Chaplains Associations Health care chaplaincy standards

Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques including body language language styles active listening and questioning

Relevant policies protocols and practices of the organisation in relation to Unit Descriptor and work role

Referral mechanisms

Principles and practices of confidentiality and privacy

Principles and practices for establishing and maintaining appropriate interpersonal relationships

Essential skills

The candidate must be able 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 the ability to

Follow organisation policies and protocols

Promote the pastoral care needs of clients

Ensure adequate pastoral support for clients

Liaise and report appropriately

Adhere to own work role and responsibilities

Adopt nonjudgemental and accepting attitudes when establishing and maintaining relationships

Take part in and facilitate interpersonal exchanges with groups and individuals selecting language styles suitable to audience and context for the purpose of establishing maintaining and development relationships exploring issues andor problem solving

Provide positive and empathetic feedback

Actively listen summarise and clarify ideas

Meet denominational or multifaith requirements

Demonstrate sensitivity towards cultural differences and personal beliefs without imposing own beliefs

Provide information on ethical religious and pastoral matters

Coordinate the involvement of community based religious and spiritual care providers

Apply reading and writing skills required to fulfil work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisationservice

this requires a level of skill that enables the worker to follow workrelated instructions and directions and the ability to seek clarification and comments from supervisors clients and colleagues

industry work roles will require workers to possess a literacy level that will enable them to interpret international safety signs read clients service delivery plans make notations in clients records and complete workplace forms and records

Apply oral communication skills required to fulfil work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation

Apply numeracy skills required to fulfil work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation

Apply basic problem solving skills to resolve problems of limited difficulty within organisation protocols

Work effectively with clients colleagues and supervisors

Demonstrate safe and effective use of workplace technology in line with occupational health and safety OHS guidelines

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 unit of competency

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings

This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions

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

Access and equity considerations

All workers in community services should be aware of access equity and human rights 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 issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities workers should be aware of cultural historical and current issues impacting on 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 Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit can be assessed independently however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged

Resources required for assessment include access to

appropriate workplace where assessment can take place

relevant organisation policy protocols and procedures

equipment and resources normally used in the workplace

Method of assessment may include

Observation in the workplace

Written assignmentsprojects

Case study and scenario analysis

Questioning

Role play simulation

Pastoral care may include:

Communication skills include:

Ethical and moral guidelines may include:

Appropriate personnel or agencies may include:

Community based religious and spiritual care providers may include:

Role of pastoral care workers includes:

Appropriate communication and relationship building processes may include:

Organisation policies and procedures may include: