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

Advanced biochemistry of food and nutrients

Appropriate choice of supplements required to achieve specific outcomes

Blood analysis and biochemical tests to assess vitamin and mineral levels

Chelation therapy

Contraindications to treatment

Dietary requirements for different cultural and religious groups

How to select best treatmentmedicine within best current practice

Issues such as IV parenteral administration of vitamins and minerals

Less common disease states and functional problems of particular groups in society with specific needs including but not limited to infants children adolescents elderly peri and post menopausal pregnant and lactating women

Less common nutritional supplements used for each systemcondition including their active principles and biochemical mechanism of action

Metabolic pathway imbalances

Nutrient toxicity

Nutrientdrug fooddrug interactions

Nutritional approaches to disease management with regard to therapeutic diets

Pharmacological uses and dosages of nutritional supplements

Scheduled nutritional supplements including reasons for scheduling

Specialised nutritional needs of particular groups in society eg Infants children adolescents elderly peri and post menopausal pregnant and lactating women recreational and elite athletesportspersons

Supplementary measures in the management of optimal health eg counselling lifestyle exercise

The possible responses to treatments

The principles of formulation including dosage and duration of treatment

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

Access and critically evaluate reference material on the effects of current conventional drug therapies and their withdrawal

Appropriately record details of information findings

Correctly identify information needs

Demonstrate interpersonal and questioning skills

Determine the nutritional needs of clients with specific human conditionsdiseases or healthfitness goals

Identify and access a range of primary secondary new and established information sources

Identify high risk clients in relation to risk of complications severity of disease process lifestyle factors and their impact on treatment strategies timeframe of treatment and other factors

Work or model work which demonstrates an ability to apply the underpinning values and principles of clinical nutrition within clinical practice

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 the workplace or a simulated workplace defined as a supervised clinic is essential for assessment of this unit

Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

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

Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum age culture and gender

Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context including

interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioners workplace

scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units

holisticintegrated assessment including

working within the practice framework

performing a health assessment

assessing the client

planning treatment

providing treatment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

Relevant journals

Relevant texts or medical manuals

Relevant paperbasedvideo assessment instruments

Access to internet or online research information

Appropriate assessment environment

Skilled assessors

Method of assessment may include

Practical demonstration and observation in the work place if possible

Written assignmentsprojects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge

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

Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting laboratory If successful a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision

Simulations

Explanations of technique

Oral questioning and discussion

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

Nutritional needs refers to:

Specific health outcome may include:

Specialised nutritional treatment:

Various life stage may include:

Consent for treatment includes:

Factors which interfere with the effectiveness of treatment may include: