Application
This unit applies to work in western herbal medicine |
Prerequisites
Not Applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Determine treatment strategy | 1.1 Determine appropriate therapeutic principles of treatment according to diagnosis of client and within the skills of competence of the practitioner 1.2 Ascertain contraindicationsto treatment and possible complicating factors and modify treatment strategy used according to herbal medicine principles 1.3 Take into consideration treatment and advice provided by other health care professionals in determining the strategy to be used in treatment 1.4 Select treatment strategy appropriate to client condition and supported on the basis of established herbal medicine practice 1.5 Take into consideration possible client compliance issues in specific treatment options |
2. Discuss the treatment strategy with the client | 2.1 Discuss proposed treatment strategy with the client 2.2 Allocate sufficient time to discuss the treatment strategy, appropriate to the client's needs 2.3 Negotiate client compliance 2.4 Clarify discrepancies between the practitioner's and the client's perception of the condition 2.5 Communicate any relevant information from medical or diagnostic reports 2.6 Explain any perceived risks from the client's condition and treatment 2.7 Clarify the responsibilities of practitioner and client within the treatment plan 2.8 Respond appropriately to client feedback and complaints |
Required Skills
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: Active principles of the herbs which may be prescribed for treatment of each condition/system Advanced knowledge of medical terminology Allopathic drugs, their classifications, usage and side effects Common disease states and functional problems of each bodily system Community resources and support services Contra-indications of treatment Drug abuse - signs, consequences, treatment and community resources available Drug interactions with herbal medicines Groups of herbs and how to distinguish between them Knowledge and understanding of methods of preparing treatment and management plans Legal and ethical considerations in treating clients with herbal remedies Lifestyle factors relevant to treatment of specific conditions and diseases Major herbs with respect to their use for general symptoms, psychological and physiological indications Medical reports and diagnostic procedures Minor herbs in respect to their most important indications Pharmaceutical and herbal medicines used in pregnancy and breast feeding Pharmaceutical and herbal medicines used to treat disorders of each system of the body Pharmacodynamics of pharmaceutical and herbal medicines and the theory of drug action; factors modifying drug effect and dosage; drug toxicity and toxicology Pharmacokinetics of herbal medicines - drug administration, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion Pharmacology of pharmaceutical and herbal medicines Possible obstacles to cure Principles and practice of treating common conditions Principles of formulation (including dosage and duration of treatment) Remedies/treatments and dosages used to treat particular conditions Supplementary measures in the management of the condition/system eg dietary considerations and exercise continued ... |
Essential knowledge (Continued): The clinical indications of herbal medicines relevant to specific circumstances eg infectious diseases, first aid and injuries The correct preparations required for specific treatment The interaction of treatments with foods, other herbs, nutritional supplements and drugs The possible responses to treatments |
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: Access and interpret up-to-date information on herbal medicines and practices Access and understand reference material on the effects of current conventional drug therapies and their withdrawal Apply methods of treating and managing disease process of each system using herbal medicines Demonstrate communication and negotiation skills Demonstrate consideration of the impact of client vitality on selected treatments Dispense remedies/treatments Identify treatment options and establish treatment regimes Prepare treatment plans Prescribe herbal medicines according to the time-frame appropriate to the client condition and the herbs selected, and to the dosage recommended for the client's age Provide advice Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues Understand and discuss medical reports and other data relevant to the case Use interpersonal and questioning skills |
Evidence Required
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 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: | Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible Resources essential for assessment include: An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment Relevant texts or medical manuals Documented process to enable the access and interpretation of up to date information Relevant assessment instruments Appropriate assessment environment Skilled assessors |
Method of assessment | Observation and practical demonstration in the work place 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 Explanations for plan preparations Written, multiple choice or short answer tests Research work |
Access and equity considerations: | Workers should have an understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture and history and an ability to work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities Assessors and trainers must have a knowledge of and take into account the influence of cultural and historic factors relating to health for those working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities |
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 the following related competency units: HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients HLTHER601C Apply western herbal medicine diagnostic framework |
Range Statement
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 of herbal medicine framework refer to: | Practices, theories and philosophies specific to the use of herbal medicines in the treatment of clients eg concurrent, palliative and continuing care and recognise the stage of the client's illness in terms of chronicity, tendency for the condition to degenerate or spontaneously resolve |
Contraindications to treatment and possible complicating factors may include: | Acute surgical and medical conditions such as cardiac arrest, acute hypovolaemic shock, paralytic ileus and loss of consciousness Traumatic injuries or conditions requiring immediate medical attention Life threatening situations Personal or life circumstances Ability or willingness to comply with treatment Allergies/sensitivities Past treatment history Current conditions/disease state Current medications/treatments Contra-indications for use of certain excipients and bases |
Treatments may include: | Prescription of herbal medicines Dispensing of extemporaneous preparations |
Client compliance refers to: | Ability to 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 have a different view as to what the main problem is |
Practitioner responsibilities may include: | Isolating the sick person Notifying doctor about their condition Appropriate hygienic procedures Notifying state health authorities of notifiable/communicable disease Commitment to the treatment plan Discussing relevant contra-indications or potential complications to treatment Reviewing of treatment plan |
Client responsibilities may include: | Following instruction/advice during and post treatment Advising practitioner of any relevant contra-indications or potential complications to treatment Advising practitioner of compliance issues Commitment to the treatment plan |
Treatment evaluation strategies may include: | Discussing and reviewing of response to treatment Reviewing achievement of treatment goals Monitoring time-frame for achieving treatment goals |
Sectors
Not Applicable
Employability Skills
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Licensing Information
Not Applicable