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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. |
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Cultural respect | This competency standard supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesIt recognises that the improvement of the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social well being, community capacity and governanceIts application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices |
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Community control | Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of health work, and the role of the health worker is to support the community in this process |
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Supervision | Supervision must be conducted in accordance with prevailing state/territory and organisation legislative and regulatory requirementsReferences to supervision may include either direct or indirect supervision of work by more experienced workers, supervisors, managers or other health professionalsA person at this level should only be required to make decisions about clients within the organisation's standard treatment protocols and associated guidelines |
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Legislative requirements | Federal, state or territory legislation may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities. Implementation of the competency standards should reflect the legislative framework in which a health worker operates. It is recognised that this may sometimes reduce the application of the Range of Variables in practice. However, assessment in the workplace or through simulation should address all essential skills and knowledge across the Range of VariablesAboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers may be required to operate in situations that do not constitute 'usual practice' due to lack of resources, remote locations and community needs. As a result, they may need to possess more competencies than described by 'usual practice circumstances'Under all circumstances, the employer must enable the worker to function within the prevailing legislative framework |
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Sexual health check refers to: | A sexual and reproductive health consultation that incorporates assessment (with the client) of:STI risk factorspromotion of good sexual health and safe sex practicesexamination/testing based on risk status, best available evidence and consideration of local circumstances. |
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Obtaining a client sexual health history involves: | Ensuring confidentialityBuilding trustProviding explanations for seeking informationObtaining history of current complaint and genital symptomsSensitive questioning on sexual practices and risk behavioursEliciting details of sexual contacts |
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Common sexual health problems include: | Male urethral syndrome (gonorrhoea, chlamydia)Impotence (psychological, medication related, microvascular disease)Inguino-scrotal swellings (hydrocele, hernia, varicocele, testicular tumour)Acute painful testicle (torsion, epididymo-orchitis)Penile disorders (phimosis, balanitis, circumcision complications)Prostatism (benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatic carcinoma)Vaginal discharge (gonorrhoea, chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, trichomoniasis)Female pelvic pain (gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and non-infectious causes such as ovarian complications and ectopic pregnancy)Ulcerative genital disease (herpes simplex virus, syphilis, Donovanosis)Genital lumps (wart virus)Asymptomatic (most of above, plus HIV and Hepatitis B) |
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Sexual health issues may include: | Rape and sexual assaultFamily and domestic violenceChild sexual abuseRelationshipsSexual identitiesHomophobiaGender, including transgender issuesPower and discriminationMenopauseUnplanned pregnancySexually transmitted infectionsSexual behavioursContraceptionManagement of menstruation, including menstrual problems and pre-menstrual syndromeSexual coercionSexual health check upsImpotence Impotence Circumcision complications PubertyCervical and breast screening |
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Issues relating to pregnancy may include: | Consideration of options in relation to unwanted pregnancyProvision of information about pregnancyDifficulties associated with pregnancy |
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Examination/testing of client may include: | Routine examinations for sexual and/or reproductive health problems.More invasive examinations such as:pap smearsSTI specimen collection |
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Risk factors for sexually transmitted infection include: | Number of sexual partnersUnsafe sex practicesPast history of sexually transmissible infectionsAlcohol or substance misuseLocal disease prevalenceFrequency of being named as sexual contact of an index case |
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Screening for STI may include: | Genital inspection for ulceration, pubic lice and dischargeTaking genital swabs for gonorrhoea and chlamydiaTaking blood for syphilis, HIV and Hepatitis B serologyObtaining a first-pass urine specimen for gonorrhoea and chlamydia PCR testingAcquiring a client-obtained vaginal specimen (tampon or low-vaginal swab) for gonorrhoea and chlamydia PCR testing |
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Common methods of birth control (and their advantages and disadvantages) include: | Oral contraceptive pill (reliable, safe, need to take daily)Condoms (reduced STI transmission, shared responsibility, high failure rate)Withdrawal (male responsibility, high failure rate)Breast-feeding (high failure rate)Injectable or implantable hormonal contraception (highly reliable, low effort, delayed return of fertility, irregular menses)Post coital ('morning after') pill (nausea)Tubal ligationVasectomy (reliable) |
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Ethical, legal and religious issues involved in reproductive choices may include: | Restrictions on termination of pregnancyAccess to pharmaceutical suppliesChurch teachings |
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Factors that influence reproductive choices for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women may include: | Age of consentEducational attainmentInformed decision makingCultural norms for maternal age and numbers of childrenCoercion |
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Local beliefs and traditional practices regarding pregnancy and childbirth may include: | Food restrictions in pregnancyRole of traditional midwivesBirthing in traditional country |
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