• HLTCOM509B - Provide services for people with a life challenging illness

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

HLTCOM509B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Provide services for people with a life challenging illness

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency HLTCOM509B - Provide services for people with a life challenging illness
Description This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide therapeutic support services for clients and carers who are facing life-challenging conditions
Employability Skills This unit contains Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to work in a range of health settings where health services are provided with direct client contact involvedApplication of this unit should be contextualised to reflect any specific workplace requirements, issues and practices
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: Demonstrate awareness of life challenging conditions
  • Discuss the nature and impacts of a range of life threatening conditions
  • Review current approaches to treatment/care
  • Discuss mainstream and complementary health approaches to management of life challenging illnesses
  • Discuss the stages of death and dying and the grief cycle
  • Discuss the principles and aims of a palliative approach
  • Identify psychosocial factors which may effect quality of life
  • Identify physical factors arising from the disease and treatment process which may effect quality of life
  • Identify cultural factors which may effect quality of life
  • Identify practical and financial factors which may effect quality of life
       
Element: Demonstrate knowledge of support resources for client and careers
  • Recognise the importance of support persons and resources
  • Outline the scope of and utilisation of available resources
  • Promote client access to individualised information
       
Element: Develop a care/treatment plan
  • Gather and record data for inclusion in care plan
  • Conduct physical examination if relevant/appropriate
  • Use knowledge of relevant complementary and alternative health care modality to identify an appropriate care/treatment plan
  • Take into account factors which may interfere with the effectiveness of the care/treatment for each
  • Take into account possible care/treatment reactions and contra-indications
       
Element: Review factors effecting client wellbeing
  • Recognise the impact of diagnosis of a life challenging illness
  • Explain the stages of the healing process
  • Explain the fundamentals of supportive care
  • Awareness of possible limitations of the client resources
  • Support clients capacity to choose treatment/care options that effect wellbeing
       
Element: Communicate need for acute intervention
  • Understand the importance of timely intervention
  • Identify changes in client condition
  • Identify need for intervention
  • Communicate changes in client condition to carers where appropriate/relevant
  • Communicate need for additional or other intervention
  • Refer to other health professionals where appropriate
       
Element: Empower the client to discover and utilise their inner resources
  • Respect client treatment choices
  • Employ conscious language
  • Demonstrate the use of silence, inner and outer
  • Create therapeutic healing space
  • Awareness of the transformational potential of the healing process
       
Element: Evaluate services/treatment
  • Build and maintain a relationship of trust with the client, with active promotion of and strict adherence to confidentiality
  • Undertake monitoring of client health in line with plan of care
  • Question client/carer to ascertain their level of comfort and compliance with the treatment
  • Ascertain degree of improvement or changes in the client's condition and compare with expectations in the plan of care
  • Provide client with clear information about their level of improvement in relation to their plan of care
  • Assess and review of treatment as required
  • Document progress according to requirements
  • Evaluate impact of ongoing treatment in relation to client's physical, mental and emotional condition and behaviour
  • Encourage clients to maintain their health by active involvement in their treatment and plan of care
  • Consult with other treatment practitioners as necessary and appropriate
       
Element: Demonstrate a commitment to self care
  • Own emotional responses to death and dying are identified, reflected upon, issues raised and discussed with supervisor and/or other appropriate person
  • Potential impact of personal responses on self and others is acknowledged and actioned as appropriate
  • Demonstrate strategies for self care including debriefing
  • Identify the need for additional assistance and emotional support
  • Identify practitioner/ client boundary issues
  • Identify conflict between professional demands and personal and family commitments
  • Demonstrate ability to process ethical and moral dilemmas
       


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 competency unit:

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

Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit

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 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

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment

Relevant resource and information material

Relevant paper -based/ video assessment material

Qualified assessors

Method of assessment

Observation in the work place (if possible)

Written assignments/projects 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

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

Related units:

This unit should be assessed in conjunction with competency unit(s) related to planning/delivery of the specific complementary and alternative health care service being undertaken


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

This includes knowledge of:

A broad range of life challenging conditions and their implications

Broad knowledge of other complementary and alternative health care treatments able to be used in the treatment of life challenging illness

Broad knowledge of possible mainstream treatments being used to treat life challenging illnesses

Detailed knowledge of therapies/treatment and/or care strategies used by the complementary and alternative health care modality being delivered

Emergency care and first aid procedures

Health care professionals/services locally, nationally, and internationally and of their relationship to other professions and organisations

Health terminology

Legal requirements for practice

Occupational health and safety procedures

Possible contraindications and interactions with other treatments

Principles of confidentiality

Relevant codes of practice

The death and dying and grief cycle

The special characteristics and strengths of supportive care.

Understanding of psychophysical and psychosocial implications of trauma and life challenging illnesses

Understanding of the nature of living and dying

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:

Appropriately record details of client treatment according to clinic guidelines

Communicate effectively with clients and colleagues

Communicate in an appropriate manner considering age, ethnicity, gender, medical condition and social situation

Consult colleagues for special expertise

Correctly identify client information needs

Demonstrate appreciation of the relative merits of the options available in regard to cost, benefit and availability of resources

Demonstrate communication and negotiation skills

Determine appropriate action to take on the basis of client's condition and identified needs

Determine the meaning and significance of information given by the client

Explain relevant services

Give palliative treatment/care honestly and with compassion and respect for the individual and carers

Give specific care according to the age and gender and specific care needs of the client

Identify appropriate avenues for referral support

Identify treatment/care options and establish treatment/care regimes

Maintain professional boundaries throughout the progression of the condition

Negotiate strategies to overcome any obstacles to cure

Practise self care

Prepare treatment plans

Provide client with required information

Provide treatment/care

Read and interpret medical reports and other data relevant to the case

Recognise conditions that may pose a serious risk to the client and to know when to seek immediate help or advice from other professional sources

Refer to other health professionals if relevant

Reflect upon own practice

Support clients, carers in trauma, grief and loss

Use interpersonal and questioning skills

Use problem solving processes

Work in a way that demonstrates an understanding of underpinning values of supportive care

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.

Range of life threatening conditions:

Cancer

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 (Draft Standards for Providing Quality Palliative Care to all Australians. PCA November 2004).

Palliative approach services include:

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

Identify the clients, family and carer as the unit of care

Maintaining the client's dignity

Maximising self-care and self-determination for the client

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

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

Practice that reflects an understanding of the aims of a palliative approach

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

Recognising symptoms of pain, discomfort and other symptoms and the clients need for pain relief

Recognising the signs that death may be imminent

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

Understanding the needs of clients approaching end-of-life

Support resources may include

Family and community resources

Financial resources

Inner resources

Time resources

Strategies for selfcare may include:

Accessing additional for emotional support

Health care treatment

Professional supervision

Respite from the demands of displaying warmth and empathy towards others

Self monitoring and reflection

Support for negotiating moral dilemmas

Support for personal and spiritual growth

Worker 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

fear, anger, silence and may appear singularly or together and prolong the workers own grief

poor concentration

Client need may include

Acute medical intervention

Comfort

Cultural and spiritual supports

Emotional supports

Pastoral care

Personal care and hygiene

Personal supports and relationships.

Sexuality and Intimacy supports

Social activities.

Treatment and support options may include

Family, friends, community, workplace

Financial

Intellectual,

Time resource

Psychosocial factors affecting quality of life may include

Anxiety, depression, PTSD, risk of suicide

Body image, self-concept and sexuality

Denial of condition

Family, social and workplace support

Fear and stress experienced by family members, barriers to clients

Gender issues

Self concept and body image

Sexuality issues

Social impairment

Physical factors arising from disease and treatment process affecting quality of life may include:

Bowel problems

Cognitive problems

Devitalisation

Disfigurement

Fatigue

Incontinence

Lymphedema

Malnutrition

Nausea and vomiting

Odour

Oral symptoms

Pain

Pregnancy, lactation and fertility issues

Respiratory problems

Sleep problems

Stage of life issues

Cultural factors effecting quality of life may include

Communication

Cultural sensitivities about diagnosis and treatment

Knowledge of interpreter services

Language barriers

Practical and financial factors affecting quality of life may include

Access to treatment and resources

Costs associated with diagnosis and treatment, supportive therapies, prostheses, and aids

Costs associated with travel and accommodation

Discrimination with regard to insurance, business dealings, access to loans

Geographical location isolation

Loss of income

Strategies for self care may include

Access intervention if needed

Attention to nutrition, adequate sleep and exercise

Context for personal and spiritual growth

Professional supervision

Reflective practice

Ethical issues may include:

Conflict between the client's and/or family's wishes and/or practitioner feelings

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

Decisions regarding medical treatment

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
Discuss the nature and impacts of a range of life threatening conditions 
Review current approaches to treatment/care 
Discuss mainstream and complementary health approaches to management of life challenging illnesses 
Discuss the stages of death and dying and the grief cycle 
Discuss the principles and aims of a palliative approach 
Identify psychosocial factors which may effect quality of life 
Identify physical factors arising from the disease and treatment process which may effect quality of life 
Identify cultural factors which may effect quality of life 
Identify practical and financial factors which may effect quality of life 
Recognise the importance of support persons and resources 
Outline the scope of and utilisation of available resources 
Promote client access to individualised information 
Gather and record data for inclusion in care plan 
Conduct physical examination if relevant/appropriate 
Use knowledge of relevant complementary and alternative health care modality to identify an appropriate care/treatment plan 
Take into account factors which may interfere with the effectiveness of the care/treatment for each 
Take into account possible care/treatment reactions and contra-indications 
Recognise the impact of diagnosis of a life challenging illness 
Explain the stages of the healing process 
Explain the fundamentals of supportive care 
Awareness of possible limitations of the client resources 
Support clients capacity to choose treatment/care options that effect wellbeing 
Understand the importance of timely intervention 
Identify changes in client condition 
Identify need for intervention 
Communicate changes in client condition to carers where appropriate/relevant 
Communicate need for additional or other intervention 
Refer to other health professionals where appropriate 
Respect client treatment choices 
Employ conscious language 
Demonstrate the use of silence, inner and outer 
Create therapeutic healing space 
Awareness of the transformational potential of the healing process 
Build and maintain a relationship of trust with the client, with active promotion of and strict adherence to confidentiality 
Undertake monitoring of client health in line with plan of care 
Question client/carer to ascertain their level of comfort and compliance with the treatment 
Ascertain degree of improvement or changes in the client's condition and compare with expectations in the plan of care 
Provide client with clear information about their level of improvement in relation to their plan of care 
Assess and review of treatment as required 
Document progress according to requirements 
Evaluate impact of ongoing treatment in relation to client's physical, mental and emotional condition and behaviour 
Encourage clients to maintain their health by active involvement in their treatment and plan of care 
Consult with other treatment practitioners as necessary and appropriate 
Own emotional responses to death and dying are identified, reflected upon, issues raised and discussed with supervisor and/or other appropriate person 
Potential impact of personal responses on self and others is acknowledged and actioned as appropriate 
Demonstrate strategies for self care including debriefing 
Identify the need for additional assistance and emotional support 
Identify practitioner/ client boundary issues 
Identify conflict between professional demands and personal and family commitments 
Demonstrate ability to process ethical and moral dilemmas 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTCOM509B - Provide services for people with a life challenging illness
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

HLTCOM509B - Provide services for people with a life challenging illness

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: