Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CHCPA301B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Deliver care services using a palliative approach

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CHCPA301B - Deliver care services using a palliative approach
Description This unit describes the awareness, knowledge, skills and values required of a worker in contributing to the care of clients with life-limiting illness and/or normal ageing process within a palliative approach
Employability Skills This unit contains Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit may apply in a range of community service contexts
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not Applicable
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Apply a palliative approach
  • Differentiate between practices applicable in curative and palliative approaches
  • Apply the principles and aims of a palliative approach in caring for clients
  • Use an approach that reflects an understanding of the client's needs as holistic and extending over time, not just end-of-life
       
Element: Respect client preferences for quality of life choices
  • Encourage client, carers, family members and/or significant others to share information regarding changing needs and preferences through a supportive environment
  • Respect client's lifestyle, social context and spiritual needs and document observations in line with care plan
  • Respect cultural choices in line with care plan
  • Support the freedom of the client, carer, his/her family and /or significant others to discuss spiritual and cultural issues in an open and non-judgemental way within scope of own responsibilities and skills
  • Refer further needs and issues to appropriate member of the care team in line with organisation protocols
  • Provide emotional support using effective communication skills
  • Demonstrate respect for the relationship between the client and carer
       
Element: Follow the client's advanced care directives in the care plan
  • Work in a manner reflecting understanding and acceptance of the legal and ethical implications of the need to follow advanced care directives
  • Consistently follow advanced care directives in the care plan in line with own work role
  • Comply with end-of-life decisions as documented in the care plan and in keeping with legal requirements
  • Report the client's needs/issues in relation to end-of-life to the appropriate team member for documentation in the care plan
  • Recognise impact of client's end-of-life needs/ issues on carers and refer to appropriate member of the care team in line with organisation protocols
  • Deliver services in a manner that supports the right of clients to choose the location of their end of life care
       
Element: Follow end-of-life care strategies
  • Regularly check for any changes on care plan that indicate decisions made by client have been reviewed
  • Provide supportive environment to client, families, carers and those involved in their care at end-of-life
  • Consider client's preferences and culture when providing end-of-life care according to care plan
  • Maintain dignity of the client in undertaking planned end-of-life care and immediately following death
  • Recognise any signs of client's imminent death/ deterioration and report to appropriate member of care team in line with organisation requirements
  • Recognise emotional needs of other clients, carers and their families affected and provide support when a death has occurred
       
Element: Respond to signs of pain and other symptoms/ discomfort
  • Observe client closely and identify pain and other symptoms in line with care plan directives
  • Document observations of pain and other symptoms and promptly report to appropriate member of care team
  • Implement strategies to promote comfort in line with care plan
  • Regularly evaluate and document effectiveness of implemented strategies
  • Refer to appropriate member of staff any misconceptions in the workplace surrounding the use of pain relieving medication
       
Element: Manage own emotional responses and ethical issues
  • Identify and reflect upon own emotional responses to death and dying and raise and discuss any issues with supervisor or other appropriate person
  • Acknowledge potential impact of personal responses on self and others and action appropriately
  • Accept need for bereavement care and support of other team members
  • Reflect upon ethical issues and discuss with appropriate person if necessary
  • Follow organisation policies and procedures in relation to managing emotional responses and ethical issues
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 unit of competency:

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

This unit of competency will be most appropriately assessed in a simulated workplace and/or in the workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions

Assessment will be conducted or evidence gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings

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

Evidence of competence must be demonstrated through a minimum of three (3) different assessment methods, which may include:

observation in the workplace

written assignments/projects

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

questioning

role play/simulation

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights 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 issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on 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 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged

Resource requirements for assessment of this unit include access to:

an appropriate workplace where assessment can take place

equipment and resources normally used in the workplace

Method of assessment:

In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios

Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on Essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes

Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a 'period of time' and/or in a 'number of locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

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

These include knowledge of:

Relevant policies, protocols and practices of the organisation in relation to providing a palliative approach in own work role

Understanding the palliative approach to care of clients and family

Understanding complexity of carers' roles, needs and issues

Awareness of hydration and nutrition requirements during a palliative approach and at end-of-life

Misconceptions associated with approaches to pain relief and comfort

Role and function of team members

Scope of own responsibilities

Impact of loss and grief on clients, carers and workers

Understand advanced care directives and providing care in accordance with the care plan

Understand the goals of pain relief and comfort promotion

Awareness of diverse cultural aspects

Identify and access relevant resources

Awareness of the various signs of imminent death/deterioration

Principles and philosophy of a palliative approach

Essential skills:

The candidate must be able 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

These include the ability to:

Communicate effectively with clients, their families and other team members using effective listening, sensitive clarification and questioning, recognition of non-verbal cues, and provision of information within level of responsibility

Use effective communication to ensure a palliative approach is undertaken

Understand and adhere to own work role/scope and responsibilities

Use observation skills re: the client's hydration and nutrition and respond in line with care plan

Identify own attitudes to a palliative approach and end-of-life care

Identify own beliefs on ageing, spirituality, relationships, sexuality, culture and intimacy

Identify cultural issues that may impact on a palliative approach

Work effectively with other team members to achieve principles of palliative approach

Follow appropriate protocols following death

Follow organisation policies, protocols and procedures

Liaise with and report appropriately to supervisor or other members of the team

Reflect on own performance and attitudes regarding a palliative approach

Develop and apply a non-judgemental approach

Informally and formally debrief with other team members and supervisors as necessary

Report and document observations of clients and their family using the appropriate forms

Provide care that reduces client's discomfort

Contribute to a supportive environment that enables clients and their families and other staff members to provide a palliative approach to palliative care

Use literacy and numeracy skills as required to fulfil work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation/service

Seek clarification and feedback from supervisors, clients and colleagues if unsure of work role

Use basic problem solving skills to resolve problems of limited difficulty within organisation protocols

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.

Aims of a palliative approach adapted from Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care (2004) is:

An approach linked to palliative care that is used by primary care services and practitioners to improve the quality of life for individuals with a life limiting illness, their caregivers and family

The palliative approach incorporates a concern for the holistic needs of patients and carers that is reflected in assessment and in the primary treatment of pain and physical, psychological, social and spiritual problems

Application of the palliative approach to the care of an individual patient is not delayed until the end stages of their illness
Instead, it provides a focus on active comfort-focused care and a positive approach to reducing suffering and promoting understanding of loss and bereavement in the wider community

Underlying the philosophy of a palliative approach is a positive and open attitude towards dying and death

Using a palliative approach includes:

Identifying the client, family and carer as the unit of care

Participating in a team approach to address the needs of client, families and carers ensuring a palliative approach

Seeking advice from appropriate person
e.g. supervisor or team leader or palliative care team

Maximising self care and self-determination for the client

Assisting in the psychological and spiritual aspects of care for the client

Providing support for clients, family and carer using a palliative approach

Recognising symptoms of pain, discomfort and other symptoms

Recognising the signs that death may be imminent

Practice that reflects an understanding of the impact of a palliative approach in an organisation

Maintaining the client's dignity

Understanding the needs of clients approaching end-of-life

Sources of loss and grief may include:

Worker may have experienced a loss of their own and be grieving

Frequency and number of deaths experienced

Need to resolve some issues when a client dies

Different responses to loss and grief of co-workers

Own emotional responses may include:

A range of emotions that may be demonstrated or displayed as a response to the process of loss and grief, for example:

crying and feelings of sadness

poor concentration

fear, anger, silence which may appear singularly or together and prolong the worker's own grief

Misconceptions relating to use of pain relieving medication may include:

All members of staff should feel confident to ask questions and seek clarification about analgesia, addition and drowsiness as well as when hearing any of the following statements:

'pain relief should only be given for pain that is currently present'

'doctors and nurses are the best judge of a client's pain'

'clients should not receive pain relief until cause is determined'

'clients may become addicted'

'strong analgesics may shorten life'

'pain management alone is not palliative care'

'client may become too drowsy to communicate with family'

Advanced care directives are:

Sometimes called a 'living will' and describes one's future preferences for medical treatment

Contains instructions that consent to, or refuse, the future use of specified medical treatments

Becomes effective in situations where the patient no longer has capacity to make legal decisions

Advanced care directives may include:

Medical treatment preference, including those influenced by religious or other values and beliefs

Particular conditions or states that the person would find unacceptable should these be the likely result of applying life-sustaining treatment, for example severe brain injury with no capacity to communicate or self care

How far treatment should go when the patient's condition is 'terminal', 'incurable' or 'irreversible' (depending on terminology used in specific forms)

The wishes of someone without relatives to act as their 'person responsible' in the event they became incompetent or where there is no one that person would want to make such decisions on their behalf

A nominated substitute decision-maker that the treating clinician may seek out to discuss treatment decisions

Other non-medical aspects of care that are important to the person during their dying phase

Relevant state and territory legislation or guidelines on advanced care directives

Legal implications of advanced care directives:

As per state and territory legislation or guidelines on advanced care directives

End-of-life ethical decisions may include:

Ongoing discussion with the client, family, doctor, guardian and organisation to ensure that the client's and/or family's wishes are up-to-date

Client's lifestyle choices may include:

Personal supports and relationships

Social activities

Emotional supports

Cultural and spiritual supports

Sexuality and intimacy supports

Life limiting illness describes:

Illnesses where it is expected that death will be a direct consequence of the specified illness. This definition is inclusive of both a malignant and non-malignant illness

Life limiting illnesses might be expected to shorten an individual's life expectancy (Standards for Providing Quality Palliative Care to all Australians, Palliative Care Australia, November 2005)

Strategies to promote comfort may include:

Regular observation, reporting and documentation of client's comfort

Provision of pain relieving measures by appropriate member of staff (see state/territory legislation regarding pain-relieving medications and organisation protocols)

Other measures to promote comfort and relieve pain - massage, relaxation, distraction, aromatherapy

Carers include:

Carers are usually family members who provide support to children or adults who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged

Carers can be parents, partners, brothers, sisters, friends or children. Some carers are eligible for government benefits while others are employed or have a private income (Carers Australia, 2004)

Impact on carers may include:

Changing nature of carer's role

Grief due to multiple losses

Guardian refers to:

A person appointed to make personal and lifestyle decisions for an adult with an impaired capacity

A guardian can make decisions about an adult's lifestyle and/or health care

Role to be interpreted in line with individual state and territory legislation or guidelines on definition of guardian

Client:

May also refer to resident or patient throughout this document

Ethical issues may include:

Decisions regarding medical treatment

Conflict that may occur in relation to personal values and decisions made by or for the client

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Differentiate between practices applicable in curative and palliative approaches 
Apply the principles and aims of a palliative approach in caring for clients 
Use an approach that reflects an understanding of the client's needs as holistic and extending over time, not just end-of-life 
Encourage client, carers, family members and/or significant others to share information regarding changing needs and preferences through a supportive environment 
Respect client's lifestyle, social context and spiritual needs and document observations in line with care plan 
Respect cultural choices in line with care plan 
Support the freedom of the client, carer, his/her family and /or significant others to discuss spiritual and cultural issues in an open and non-judgemental way within scope of own responsibilities and skills 
Refer further needs and issues to appropriate member of the care team in line with organisation protocols 
Provide emotional support using effective communication skills 
Demonstrate respect for the relationship between the client and carer 
Work in a manner reflecting understanding and acceptance of the legal and ethical implications of the need to follow advanced care directives 
Consistently follow advanced care directives in the care plan in line with own work role 
Comply with end-of-life decisions as documented in the care plan and in keeping with legal requirements 
Report the client's needs/issues in relation to end-of-life to the appropriate team member for documentation in the care plan 
Recognise impact of client's end-of-life needs/ issues on carers and refer to appropriate member of the care team in line with organisation protocols 
Deliver services in a manner that supports the right of clients to choose the location of their end of life care 
Regularly check for any changes on care plan that indicate decisions made by client have been reviewed 
Provide supportive environment to client, families, carers and those involved in their care at end-of-life 
Consider client's preferences and culture when providing end-of-life care according to care plan 
Maintain dignity of the client in undertaking planned end-of-life care and immediately following death 
Recognise any signs of client's imminent death/ deterioration and report to appropriate member of care team in line with organisation requirements 
Recognise emotional needs of other clients, carers and their families affected and provide support when a death has occurred 
Observe client closely and identify pain and other symptoms in line with care plan directives 
Document observations of pain and other symptoms and promptly report to appropriate member of care team 
Implement strategies to promote comfort in line with care plan 
Regularly evaluate and document effectiveness of implemented strategies 
Refer to appropriate member of staff any misconceptions in the workplace surrounding the use of pain relieving medication 
Identify and reflect upon own emotional responses to death and dying and raise and discuss any issues with supervisor or other appropriate person 
Acknowledge potential impact of personal responses on self and others and action appropriately 
Accept need for bereavement care and support of other team members 
Reflect upon ethical issues and discuss with appropriate person if necessary 
Follow organisation policies and procedures in relation to managing emotional responses and ethical issues 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CHCPA301B - Deliver care services using a palliative approach
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CHCPA301B - Deliver care services using a palliative approach

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: