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

This includes knowledge of

Activities of daily living

Basic human social psychological cognitive and physical development

Challenging behaviour related to mental health problems

Consumer and carer perspectives on mental health care

Cultural factors affecting people with mental health problems

Definition and description of common mental disorders

Documentation principles

Effective communication skills

Emergency responses to adverse events

Ethical guidelines including confidentiality duty of care and public liability

Impact of stereotyping stigma and discrimination on consumers with mental health conditions

Knowledge of different types of common behaviours associated with mental health problems and their effect on consumer needs

Legislation and codes of practice that relate to an EnrolledDivision nurse

Organisation policies and procedures for privacy and confidentiality of information

Organisation policies procedures guidelines and protocols ie activities of daily living medication dealing with changes in physical or mental wellbeing sexual harassment abuse prevention

Organisation policy and procedures

Perspectives of mental health mental health problems and mental illness

Prevention and management of challenging behaviours including recognising triggers and deflecting them using active listening and observation skills ensuring effective communication seeking expert assistance

Principles of empowermentdisempowerment in relation to people with mental health problems

Principles of nondiscriminative practice

Principles of psychosocial rehabilitation

Relevant anatomy physiology

Relevant mental health terminology

Relevant occupational safety policies procedures and guidelines to ensure safe practice

Therapeutic alliance

Understanding of support requirements for people with mental health problems

Understanding the principles of a recovery model in the mental health context

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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

This includes the ability to

Apply problem solving skills including an ability to use tools and techniques to solve problems analyse information and make decisions that require discretion and confidentiality

Apply Professional Standards of Practice

ANMC code of conduct

ANMC code of ethics

ANMC national EnrolledDivision nurse competency standards

stateterritory Nurse Regulatory Nurses Act

stateterritory Nursing and Midwifery Regulatory Authority standards of practice

scope of nursing practice decision making framework

Facilitate activities of daily living

Perform nursing interventions such as

assisting with physical care

behavioural observation

first aid

pre and post procedure care

prevention and management of aggression

social normalisations

Undertake observations

ability to communicate

aggression physical or verbal

closeconstant

improvements or deterioration in signssymptoms

level of coherence

levels of personal distress and anxiety

orientation to person place time

signs of physical injurydistress

Use interpersonal skills including

working with others

empathising with consumer and relatives

using sensitivity when dealing with people and relating to persons from differing cultural social and religious backgrounds

continued

Essential skills contd

Use advanced oral communication skills language competence required to fulfil job roles as specified by the organisationservice including

interviewing techniques

asking questions

active listening

asking for clarification from consumer or other persons where appropriate

negotiating solutions

acknowledging and responding to a range of views

using interpreters where required

Use written communication skills literacy competence required to fulfil job roles as specified by organisationservice using a level of skill ranging from reading and understanding incident reports and case management materials to preparing handover reports for receiving agency staff

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

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

Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse with qualifications in mental health

Observation must include

EnrolledDivision nurses role and responsibilities within the mental health environment

rights of the client in a mental health environment

nursing management of common mental health disorders and support strategies within the defined scope of practice

documentation

assessment of risk

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace

Where for reasons of safety access to equipment and resources and space assessment takes place away from the workplace simulations should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Method of assessment

Observation in the work place

Written assignmentsprojects

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice

Questioning verbal and writing

Participation in supervisionreflective practice activities

Role playsimulation

Reflective journal

To ensure consistence of performance evidence should be collected over time and include a range of different clinical situations

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 andor Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Related units

This unit is recommended to be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency units

HLTENB Communicate effectively in a nursing role

HLTEN402B Communicate effectively in a nursing role

HLTENB Apply legal and ethical parameters

HLTEN509B Apply legal and ethical parameters

Health team may include:

Resources and service providers may include:

Working with individuals and groups to achieve community development outcomes may include:

Appropriate course of action include:

Broad classifications of mental illness must include:

Common terms associated with mental health may include:

Common terms associated with anxiety disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders and mood disorders may include:

Common diagnoses must include:

Consumer mental health needs may include:

Appropriate communication and relationship building processes may include:

Response to consumers in distress and crisis will include:

Nursing observations of the mental health consumer may include:

Consumer characteristics or behaviour patterns that require documentation may include:

Ethical concepts may include:

Activities to promote consumer dignity may include:

Therapeutic environment may include: