Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to apply reflective practice, critical thinking and analysis within the role of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health practitioner or worker.
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 communities.
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. Apply the principles of primary health care to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities | 1.1 Work with an understanding of the historical and current perspectives of primary health care 1.2 Incorporate the theoretical concepts and information related to primary health care into day-to-day work 1.3 Identify contemporary issues in primary health care and examine their impact on clients and the health care environment 1.4 Actively participate as a member of the health care team 1.5 Recognise the complementary roles of other health care professionals 1.6 Incorporate into practice a holistic approach to client care 1.7 Promote and support individuality of client when implementing planned care |
2. Participate in professional review and development | 2.1 Participate in performance review according to the policies and procedures of the employing organisation 2.2 Apply professional, legal and ethical standards to primary health care 2.3 Share professional knowledge and skills with others 2.4 Positively promote own role within Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care context 2.5 Undertake professional skill development and apply to work practices 2.6 Identify and participate in appropriate professional organisations |
3. Work within a contemporary Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health care environment | 3.1 Achieve work outcomes and demonstrate good time management within prescribed time frames 3.2 Manage resources according to health environment guidelines 3.3 Utilise contemporary health informatics systems to gather, collate and document data 3.4 Work within context of practice and within boundaries of work role |
4. Effectively use critical thinking and analysis within work role | 4.1 Identify ways to effectively apply the process of critical thinking and analysis within own work role 4.2 Differentiate between critical thinking, creative thinking and problem-solving 4.3 Identify and apply problem-solving processes to resolve client and workplace challenges 4.4 Locate, review and critically analyse topical issues identified in recent articles |
5. Promote reflective practice for self and others | 5.1 Recognise the process and benefits of reflective practice in relation to own work role 5.2 Model reflective practice within own role 5.3 Seek assistance from mentors or other professionals to support reflective practices 5.4 Evaluate the effectiveness of self-reflection in own role, and for others |
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:
performed their role in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care by using each of the following on at least one occasion:
critical thinking and analysis
professional review and skills development
self-reflection and evaluation
time management and prioritisation
problem-solving using logic, analysis and sound argument
effective and culturally appropriate and safe communication skills for:
analysis and interpretation of evidence
consultation methods
decision-making techniques
team negotiation and networking
written and oral presentations.
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 work role. These include knowledge of:
critical thinking processes
reflective practices, benefits and limitations
organisation standards, policies and procedures
cultural and linguistic issues for the individual Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health professional
best practice, philosophy/vision/mission statements
characteristics of critical thinking and analysis
cultural and religious considerations for primary health care
demonstrated awareness of the history and development of the role of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and practitioner
educational and career opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and practitioner
ethical guidelines including confidentiality, duty of care and public liability
patterns of primary health care (including functional, team, client assignment)
performance appraisal processes and practices
quality improvement programs and accreditation standards
role of evidence-based practice
understanding of the role and function of professional and industrial bodies relevant to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and practitioner
understanding of the role of the health care team members
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. | |
Learning | in order to locate, evaluate and organise information and filter out irrelevant data |
Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.