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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Establish client priorities.
   • Access and review client treatment plan if available.
   • Discuss client diathermy requirements, changes in skin over lifetime, current skin care regimen, lifestyle and nutrition influences to determine causes of dilated capillaries.
   • Identify and assess dilated capillaries and skin.
   • Identify and explain contraindications to treatment, and refer client to appropriate professional as required.
   • Review medical history and medications, and obtain medical approval prior to treatment, as required.
   • Classify client skin and explain outcomes to client.
2. Design diathermy treatment.
   • Identify treatment parameters and techniques.
   • Discuss with client potential adverse effects, treatment design and recommendations for duration, frequency and treatment costs.
   • Confirm revised treatment plan, record updates and obtain signed client consent.
3. Prepare for treatment.
   • Check readiness of treatment area and availability of equipment and products.
   • Prepare client, ensuring their comfort and modesty throughout treatment.
   • Position self throughout treatment to minimise fatigue and risk of injury.
   • Use energy, water and other resources efficiently during preparation and subsequent treatment process.
4. Conduct patch test
   • Explain to client physical sensation of treatment.
   • Cleanse and disinfect patch test site.
   • Select sterile probes or needles and open in front of client.
   • Conduct patch test on an area adjacent to the treatment site.
   • Identify skin reaction and advise client of suitability for diathermy treatment.
   • Record current intensity and probe or needle size.
   • Rebook client to assess outcomes of patch test and for further treatments.
5. Apply electric currents.
   • Cleanse and disinfect treatment area.
   • Set current intensity and select probes or needles according to patch test results.
   • Open sterile probes or needles in front of client.
   • Apply and modify diathermy treatment, according to treatment plan, skin reaction and client feedback.
   • Apply aftercare products.
6. Review treatment and provide post treatment advice.
   • Evaluate treatment with client.
   • Record treatment parameters and outcomes of treatment on client treatment plan.
   • Advise client on how to care for skin in treatment site and expectations for wound healing.
   • Provide aftercare advice, recommend products and future treatments and rebook client.
7. Clean treatment area.
   • Remove used linen and clean treatment surfaces and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
   • Dispose of probes or needles in sharps container.
   • Sterilise any instrument that has come into contact with body fluids.
   • Restock equipment and products in preparation for next treatment.
   • Dispose of general waste and any hazardous waste to minimise negative environmental impacts and according to organisational policies and procedures.
8. Establish client priorities.
   • Access and review client treatment plan if available.
   • Discuss client diathermy requirements, changes in skin over lifetime, current skin care regimen, lifestyle and nutrition influences to determine causes of dilated capillaries.
   • Identify and assess dilated capillaries and skin.
   • Identify and explain contraindications to treatment, and refer client to appropriate professional as required.
   • Review medical history and medications, and obtain medical approval prior to treatment, as required.
   • Classify client skin and explain outcomes to client.
9. Design diathermy treatment.
   • Identify treatment parameters and techniques.
   • Discuss with client potential adverse effects, treatment design and recommendations for duration, frequency and treatment costs.
   • Confirm revised treatment plan, record updates and obtain signed client consent.
10. Prepare for treatment.
    • Check readiness of treatment area and availability of equipment and products.
    • Prepare client, ensuring their comfort and modesty throughout treatment.
    • Position self throughout treatment to minimise fatigue and risk of injury.
    • Use energy, water and other resources efficiently during preparation and subsequent treatment process.
11. Conduct patch test
    • Explain to client physical sensation of treatment.
    • Cleanse and disinfect patch test site.
    • Select sterile probes or needles and open in front of client.
    • Conduct patch test on an area adjacent to the treatment site.
    • Identify skin reaction and advise client of suitability for diathermy treatment.
    • Record current intensity and probe or needle size.
    • Rebook client to assess outcomes of patch test and for further treatments.
12. Apply electric currents.
    • Cleanse and disinfect treatment area.
    • Set current intensity and select probes or needles according to patch test results.
    • Open sterile probes or needles in front of client.
    • Apply and modify diathermy treatment, according to treatment plan, skin reaction and client feedback.
    • Apply aftercare products.
13. Review treatment and provide post treatment advice.
    • Evaluate treatment with client.
    • Record treatment parameters and outcomes of treatment on client treatment plan.
    • Advise client on how to care for skin in treatment site and expectations for wound healing.
    • Provide aftercare advice, recommend products and future treatments and rebook client.
14. Clean treatment area.
    • Remove used linen and clean treatment surfaces and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
    • Dispose of probes or needles in sharps container.
    • Sterilise any instrument that has come into contact with body fluids.
    • Restock equipment and products in preparation for next treatment.
    • Dispose of general waste and any hazardous waste to minimise negative environmental impacts and according to organisational policies and procedures.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

communicate, follow and modify treatment plans to provide patch tests and four diathermy treatments for clients on:

face area

upper chest

provide patch tests for each client that replicate the parameters in each treatment plan:

equipment

procedure

treatment

provide consecutive diathermy treatments for two of the clients as required to achieve the treatment objectives

provide diathermy treatments using both high frequency/thermolysis and blend machines

develop, update and maintain treatment plans and records for each client specifying details of:

client feedback and adverse reactions

capillary type and distribution

contraindications and conditions

current type, duration and intensity

outcomes of patch test and treatments

post treatment care advice and products

probe or needle size and type

products used

recommended future treatments

relevant medical history and medications

skin analysis

treatment duration, areas treated and not treated

treatment objectives

provide safe treatments demonstrating application of health and hygiene regulations and skin penetration guidelines with a focus on:

disinfection of treatment area

disposal of infectious and non-infectious waste

disposal of sharps

equipment sterilisation and disinfection

hand washing

prevention of blood to blood contact

use of equipment:

disposable

personal protection equipment

single use disposable probes or needles

treat each client demonstrating the application of correct techniques:

angle of probing

choice of size and type of probe or needles

current intensity and duration

depth of probing

treat clients causing minimal skin reaction

present self, according to organisational policy

comply with health, hygiene and skin penetration regulations and requirements.

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Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

state or territory and local health and hygiene and skin penetration regulations and requirements relevant to providing diathermy treatments

infectious disease transmission routes and prevention of infection transmission:

clients with blood borne diseases

contingency procedures for blood and body fluid contact

prevention of blood to blood contact

safe handling and disposal of sharps

immunity and how it is acquired

infection control procedures and application of standard precautions

definitions and methods of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation

organisational policies and procedures relevant to providing diathermy treatments:

client record management

equipment use and maintenance

incident reporting

linen use and laundry procedures

personal protection equipment

personal hygiene and presentation

presentation of treatment area

waste and hazardous substance disposal

work health and safety

legal and insurance liabilities and responsibilities regarding treatments

scope of practice:

when to refer clients to other practitioners

importance of not stating a diagnosis of a contraindication

limitations to diathermy treatments

roles of nutritionist, dietician, complementary therapist and medical practitioner

factors that affect treatment planning and client suitability for treatment:

areas treated

client finances

extent of area treated

pain tolerance

skin:

healing

skin reactions

effects, risks, benefits and indications for diathermy treatments on the physical structure of skin and blood vessels

sources, risks, benefits and effects of light treatments for dilated capillary removal

skin anatomy and physiology:

microscopic anatomy of:

epidermis

dermis

hypodermis

phases of skin growth, cell renewal, and factors that affect epidermal mitosis

normal process of skin ageing and structural change

normal skin responses to irritation and trauma

wound healing stages and variations relevant to face and upper chest

origin and evolution of hypertrophic and keloid scars and abnormal scar tissue

structure, function and distribution of skin glands

relationship between nutrition and healthy skin

anatomy and physiology of blood vessels and capillaries

interdependence of body systems and their relationship to a healthy body and skin:

nervous system and its relationship to skin sensations

lymphatic, digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems and their relationship to skin functions, thermoregulation and homeostasis

endocrine and reproductive systems in relationship to hormonal influences on skin

appearance, genetic factors, possible medical treatments for skin conditions, diseases and disorders

physical appearance of skin types and minor skin blemishes

typical medical treatments, medications and side effects relevant to diathermy treatments

principles and properties of electrical currents and the technology used in hair reduction:

alternating current

direct current

electrical circuits

electrical supply

energy

specialised hair reduction applications:

blend

galvanic

thermolysis

principles and processes of direct and alternating currents:

electrical energy and electron movement

electrolytic process

thermal effect

electrodes

frequency ranges

capacitance

safe practices and management when using electrical currents

factors affecting diathermy treatment outcomes:

accurate probing:

duration

angle

depth

areas treated

causes of skin damage

correct probing and successful treatment outcomes

current intensity and type

extent of area treated

needle or probe size selection

pain tolerance

safety and comfort

contraindications that prevent or restrict treatment or require clearance from a medical practitioner to proceed and their relationship to diathermy:

acne

adverse outcomes of previous diathermy treatments

bacteria, fungal, parasitic and viral infections

type one and two diabetes mellitus

medications that cause skin thinning

metal implants

pacemakers

rashes

scar tissue

skin trauma

appearance, causes and management of adverse effects of diathermy treatments:

bruising

inflammation arising from treatment

over treatment

reaction of client to electrical current

scarring

post treatment care procedures and advice for specific treatment areas:

special care of treatment area

sun protection

avoidance of intense physical acidity

dietary advice

skin peels

sustainable operating procedures for the conservation of product, water and power.

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