Application
This unit describes the required skills and knowledge to provide clients with health care services in addition to general health care and specific to sexual and reproductive health.
This unit applies to those Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and community.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Check sexual and reproductive health | 1.1 Undertake tests, observations and other screening procedures in line with protocols and client requirements 1.2 Review client records to determine priorities and potential areas of risk for each client 1.3 Question client appropriately to identify and/or clarify any sexual and/or reproductive health issues and/or significant variations from normal parameters 1.4 Use medical equipment effectively and maintain in accordance with organisation policies 1.5 Consult relevant allied professionals and available documentation in relation to the sexual and/or reproductive health of the client 1.6 Obtain informed consent for all examinations and tests and undertake appropriate pre-test discussion before testing for HIV or other blood-borne viruses |
2. Provide care to clients with sexual health problems | 2.1 Respect Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community values, beliefs and gender taboos in assessing and managing sexual health problems 2.2 Engage clients in holistic sexually transmissible infection (STI) risk assessment and take an appropriate sexual health history for each client presenting or identified with a sexual health problem 2.3 Assess common sexual health problems according to clinical presentation and treat/refer/support in line with standard protocols and organisation guidelines 2.4 Obtain history of sexual contacts where an STI is identified, negotiate contact tracing and follow-up contacts for testing and treatment in line with standard protocols 2.5 Develop holistic health care plan for each client with sexual health problems 2.6 Support and counsel clients with STIs to assist in treatment and prevention of infection 2.7 Ensure records of STI management and contact tracing are kept confidential and secure 2.8 Maintain current, complete, accurate and relevant records for each client interaction |
3. Provide information on sexual and reproductive health care | 3.1 Promote safe sex practices or other STI risk-reduction strategies and distribute condoms as appropriate 3.2 Discuss common methods of birth control with clients, explaining each method, its advantages and disadvantages 3.3 Discuss transmission of STIs and complications with the client as appropriate 3.4 Discuss symptoms of pregnancy with clients and identify as appropriate 3.5 Provide information on healthy lifestyle and risks during pregnancy 3.6 Provide clients with information which is age and culturally appropriate and aligned with their specific needs 3.7 Employ a range of interpersonal techniques to ensure own values are not imposed on clients and information is provided in a non-judgmental way 3.8 Provide referral where own personal and professional abilities do not match client needs |
4. Evaluate effectiveness of sexual and reproductive health care | 4.1 Monitor sexual and reproductive health in line with schedule and criteria incorporated in care plan for each client 4.2 Evaluate intervention/ongoing sexual and/or reproductive health care against standing order/written care protocols and client level of comfort and compliance with health care practices 4.3 Ascertain degree of improvement of client’s holistic health and compare with expectations under the health care plan 4.4 Undertake clinical re-assessment and/or review of treatment/medication regime as required where client fails to progress in accordance with expectation 4.5 Provide client with clear information about their level of improvement in relation to the health care plan and their level of compliance 4.6 Encourage clients to maintain sexual and reproductive health by active involvement with the care plan |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role.
There must be evidence that the candidate has:
provided information, guidance and support to at least three clients with sexual and/or reproductive health issues by:
monitoring the outcomes of sexual and reproductive health care services
conducting an accurate sexual and/or reproductive health assessment, including requesting pathology tests
recognising situations requiring immediate or urgent action
providing treatment, medicine and advice/information appropriate to sexual and/or reproductive health in a safe and effective manner and within guidelines
maintaining client records and care plans
communicating effectively with client. This includes:
obtaining information about sexual and reproductive health
counselling clients
ensuring clients understand treatment options
holistically evaluating impact of treatment on client’s physical, mental and emotional condition and behaviour
making timely and appropriate referrals, providing accurate and relevant details to clients and referral agencies
reflecting on own and others’ values in relation to sexual behaviour and health.
Evidence of 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:
key aspects of anatomy/physiology, pharmacology, pathology and basic microbiology relevant to sexual and/or reproductive development stages and health
knowledge of key aspects of microbiology relevant to sexual and/or reproductive health and prevention of infection or cross infection
health conditions and associated issues related to sexual and/or reproductive health
nature, history, pathology and transmission of sexually transmissible infections and relevant interventions
understanding of oppression and discrimination in relation to sexuality
assessment methods, equipment and testing procedures associated with sexual and reproductive health and STIs
methods of birth control and their advantages and disadvantages
organisation policies and procedures
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated working:
in a health service or centre
individually or as a member of a multidisciplinary primary health care team
with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.
In addition, simulations and scenarios must be used where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely. These are situations relating to emergency or unplanned procedures where assessment in these circumstances would be unsafe or is impractical.
Simulated assessment environments must simulate the real-life working environment where these skills and knowledge would be performed, with all the relevant equipment and resources of that working environment.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Assessment must be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in this unit of competency and who is:
an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker
or:
accompanied by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. | |
Numeracy | in order to undertake tests using medical equipment |
Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.