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

Application of nursing theory to a mental health context

Basic human social psychological cognitive and physical development

Confidentiality and privacy

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 actions

Ethical guidelines including confidentiality duty of care and public liability

Impact of culture and belief systems on mental health and illness

Impact of stigma and discrimination on consumers with mental health issues

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

Mental Health Act Authorised person

Organisation policies and procedures for privacy and confidentiality of information

Organisation policies procedures guidelines and protocols ie daily living medication dealing with changes in wellbeing sexual harassment abuse prevention

Organisation policy and procedures

Organisations definition of challenging behaviour related to mental health problems

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 for people with mental health problems

Principles of nondiscriminative practice

Principles of psychosocial rehabilitation

Relevant anatomy physiology and associated pathophysiology

Relevant legislation related to mental illness

Relevant mental health terminology

continued

Essential knowledge contd

Relevant occupational safety policies procedures and guidelines to ensure safe practice

Risk assessment in the mental health context

Supervision and reflective practice

Therapeutic alliance

Understanding of support requirements for people with mental health problems

Understanding of the principles of community development as they may apply to clients with mental health issues

Understanding of work roles or services provided in specific areas ie lifespan approach people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders alcohol and other drugs abuse

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 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

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

Facilitate activities of daily living

Perform nursing interventions such as

assist with electroconvulsant therapy

assisting with physical care

behavioural observation

counselling

establishment of therapeutic relationships

first aid

group or diversional therapy

pre and post procedure care

prevention and management of aggression

skill building programs

social normalisation programs

social normalisations

Undertake observations

ability to communicate

aggression physical or verbal

closeconstant

improvements or deterioration in signssymptoms

level of coherence

level of risk

levels of personal distress and anxiety

orientation to person place time

signs of physical injurydistress

continued

Essential skills contd

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

Use oral communication skills language competence required to fulfil job roles as specified by the organisationservice Advanced oral communication skills include 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 The work may involve using interpreters

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

Work effectively with consumers with mental health illnesses in both general and specialist environments and with carers colleagues and other health care providers

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

key features of the Mental Health Act

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 specific medications 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 or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions

Where for reasons of safety access to equipment and resources and space assessment takes place away from the workplace simulations should be used to 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 units

HLTAPB Analyse health information

HLTAP501B Analyse health information

HLTENB Apply effective communication in complex situations

HLTEN502B Apply effective communication in complex situations

HLTENB Apply legal and ethical parameters

HLTEN509B Apply legal and ethical parameters

This competency unit incorporates the content of

HLTENB Deliver nursing care to consumers with mental health issues

HLTEN410B Deliver nursing care to consumers with mental health issues

The key features of the Mental Health Act must include:

Health team may include:

Resources and service providers may include:

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

Support processes may be informal and/or formal and may include:

Nursing observations of the mental health consumer may include:

Consumer characteristics or behaviour patterns that require documentation may include:

Ethical concepts may include:

The classification of medications used in mental health treatments may include:

Specific adverse effects may include:

Activities to promote consumer dignity may include:

Therapeutic environment may include:

Types of therapies may include: