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

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of workplace situations

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

Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application

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 practitioner's workplace

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

holistic/integrated assessment including:

working within the practice framework

performing a health assessment

assessing the client

planning treatment

providing treatment

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 and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Resources essential for assessment include:

a fully stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

relevant texts or medical manuals

anatomical model

relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments

appropriate assessment environment

qualified assessor

Method of assessment

Observation in the workplace

Practical demonstration

Written assignments/projects and research

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

Oral questioning and discussion

Role play/simulation

Explanation for plan preparations

Journals and portfolios

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

Related units:

This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency units:

HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health

HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients

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:

A minimum of 20 essential and carrier oils, and may include the essential oils below:

1. Basil (Methyl carvicol) Ocimum basilicum

2. Bergamot Citrus aurantium ssp. bergamia

3. Black Pepper Piper nigrum

4. Cedarwood Atlas Cedrus atlantica

5. Chamomile Blue Matricaria recutita

6. Chamomile Roman Chamaemelum nobile

7. Clary Sage Salvia sclera

8. Cypress Cupressus sempervirens

9. Eucalyptus Eucalyptus radiata

10. Eucalyptus Blue Gum Eucalyptus globulus

11. Eucalyptus Lemon Scented Eucalyptus citriodora

12. Fennel Sweet Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce

13. Frankincense Boswellia carteri

14. Geranium Pelargonium graveolens

15. Ginger Zingiber officinale

16. Grapefruit Citrus paradisi

17. Jasmine Jasminum officinale

18. Juniper Juniperus communis

19. Lavender true alpine Lavendula angustifolia

20. Lavender Spike Lavendula latafolia

21. Lemon Citrus limon

22. Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus or flexuosus

23. Mandarin Citrus reticulata

24. Marjoram Sweet Origanum majorana

25. Melissa Melissa officinalis

26. Myrrh Commiphora myrrha

27. Neroli Citrus aurantium var. amara

28. Patchouli Pogostemon cablin

29. Peppermint Mentha piperita

30. Petitgrain Citrus aurantium var.amara

31. Pine Scotch Pinus sylvestris

32. Rose Damask Rosa damascena

33. Rosemary Damask Rosa damascena

34. Rosemary Cineole Rosmarinus officinalis

35. Sandalwood Australian Santalum spicatum

36. Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia

37. Thyme Red Thymus vulgaris

38. Ylang Ylang Cananga odorata var genuina

Essential knowledge continued

Essential knowledge continued

and may include the following carrier and macerated oils

Apricot kernel Prunus armeniaca

Arnica Arnica montana

Avocado Persea Americana

Calendula Calendula officinalis

Calophhyllum Calophyllum inophyllum

Canola Brassica napus

Carrot Daucus carota

Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis

Hemp Cannabis sativa

Hypericum Hypericum perforatum

Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis

Linseed Linum usitatissumum

Macadamia Macadamia integritfolia

Olive Oleoa europea

Rosehip Rosa rubiginosa

Safflower Carthamus tinctorius

Sesame Seed Sesamum indicum

Sunflower Helianthus annus

Sweet Almond Prunus amygdalus

Wheatgerm Tritcum durum

Knowledge of hazardous oils, essential oil safety and contraindications of hazardous essential oils

Chemistry, functional groups and properties of the oils listed above

How to source essential and carrier oils including a knowledge of botanical names

The interaction and synergy of oils

Awareness of critical information required for diagnosis and treatment according to aromatherapy therapy framework

The importance of breathing, exercise

Nutrition, hygiene and personal health care strategies

Physiology and anatomy

Symptomology and pathology

Structure and function of anatomical systems

The principles of human movement and biomechanics

Possible reactions and contraindications to treatment

Ethical and legal implications of enquiry and treatment

Possible obstacles to treatment

Community resources and support services

How to access information from a number of different sources e.g. libraries, internet, journals

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:

Identify hazardous oils and their contraindications

Apply technical and practical knowledge of treatment

Manage time throughout consultation and treatment

Demonstrate communication skills and negotiation skills to gain and convey required information

Identify treatment options and establish treatment regimes

Prepare treatment plans

Read health reports, referrals and other data relevant to the case

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.

Therapeutic principles refers to:

Principles and practices of the aromatherapy treatment

Contraindications to treatment and possible complicating factors may include but are not limited to:

Infection or infectious diseases

Pain local sharp, dull, achy, deep, surface

Fatigue

Inflammation

Lumps and tissue changes

Rashes and changes in the skin

Oedema

Mood alterations, e.g. depression, anxiety

Changes in habits such as appetite elimination or sleep

Bleeding and bruising

Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea

Temperature hot/cold

Intoxication

Pregnancy

Illnesses and/or chronic disease

Disabilities

Surgeries and accidents

Aromatherapy techniques must include:

Baths including full bath, foot and hand and sitz bath

Vapourisation both direct e.g. inhalation and indirect e.g. burner and snozelene room (aged care and special needs)

Compress, hot and cold

Floral mists

Poultices

Dermal applications including ointments, creams and lotions

How to perform a patch test for potential client skin sensitivity

How to prepare appropriate dosages and dosage ratios

and may include:

Massage techniques including full body, foot and health, head and scalp

Other applications which may be discussed but not applied at this level include:

Douches

Lozenges

Ear nose and throat applications

External parasite treatments

Client constitution refers to:

Genetic foundation

Body type

Fitness

Mental attitude

Age

Gender

Cultural differences

Client compliance refers to:

Ability to understand and follow instructions or suggestions

Willingness to follow instructions or suggestions

Discrepancies may include:

Client is unaware of the immediate danger of their condition

Client is over anxious about their condition

Client is unaware of maintaining causes acting on their condition

Practitioner is unaware of some implications of the client's condition

Practitioner and client each have a different view of what the main problem is

Practitioner responsibilities may include:

Isolating the person

Providing advice on public health matters

Appropriate hygienic or sexual behaviour

Referring notifiable/communicable disease to a registered doctor

Commitment to the treatment plan

Discussing relevant contraindications or potential complications to treatment

Reviewing of treatment plan

Ensuring a therapeutic partnership relationship

Client responsibilities may include:

Following instruction/advice during and post treatment

Advising practitioner of any relevant contraindications or potential complications to treatment

Advising practitioner of compliance issues

Commitment to the treatment plan

Providing feedback on treatment

Treatment evaluation strategies may include:

Discussing and reviewing of response to treatment

Reviewing achievement of treatment goals

Monitoring time frame for achieving treatment goals