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

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:

This unit is most appropriately assessed in the classroom environment

this unit may be undertaken by workers training for a range of jobs in the population health and related sectors

assessment where practicable should allow for knowledge of population health to be applied to a prospective or actual work role

Access to:

a range of government and non government policy documents and reports and statistics

Method of assessment may include:

Interviewing and questioning

Assignment

Scenarios as a basis for the application knowledge of the population health approach to a specific work role

Scenarios as a basis for the application of knowledge about the foundations of the health of populations to a specific work role

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:

Basic knowledge of recent public health strategies and relevant local codes of practice and legislation

Basic principles of health promotion, e.g. as per Ottawa Charter

Basic principles of population health

Equity issues in population health

Importance of principles and practices to enhance sustainability in the workplace, including environmental, economic, workforce and social sustainability

National, State and local health initiatives and priorities

Organisations involved in population health in Australia

The components of population health including health promotion, environmental health, health protection and prevention of communicable and non communicable diseases

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:

Apply effective communication and interpersonal skills including written or verbal communication

Apply problem solving skills

Contribute effectively to meetings

Discuss a population health approach in specific work role context

Gather information from written sources and/or through verbal questioning

Recognise and use opportunities to enhance sustainability in the workplace

Translate 'big picture' information into value at the local level

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.

The term population may refer to:

General Australian population

Any subgroup within that population identified by age, sex, ethnicity, sexual identity, geographical location, physical environment, lifestyle choices, socio economic status, disability, health status, etc.

Any community defined as collective group of people identified by common values and mutual concern for the development and well-being of their group or geographical area

Context includes:

Statutory framework within which work takes place

Historical context of work, e.g. changing attitudes to environmental health, changing approaches to public health

Changing social context of work, e.g. changing government and societal views of environmental health, health promotion and disease prevention aspects of primary health care

Political context, e.g. government policies and initiatives affecting environmental health work

Economic context, e.g. the current economic situation as it relates to and affects environmental health and the subsequent impact on individual and community needs

Concepts/models of health include:

Medical model

Salutogenic model

Social view of health

Academic/professional models of health

Different models of work in the sector may include:

Early intervention/ disease prevention

Community development and education

Health promotion

Working with individuals

Working with families and the community

Community funded indigenous environmental health workers

Government health services funded indigenous environmental health workers

Health determinants may include:

Political

Biological and genetic factors

Physical environment

Socio-economic factors (e.g. Social gradient, stress, early life, social exclusion, work, unemployment, social support, addiction, food, transport, housing, etc.)

Behavioural

Cultural

Quality of health services

Key principles to a population health approach may include:

Population focus

Preventive focus with stress on building individual/community's capacity to control health determinants for a better quality of life

Sensitivity to access and equity issues

Sensitivity to cultural differences

Health as a resource for everyday living and not as end in itself

Health as a result of complex interaction among determinants

Shared responsibility of health

Educational-Ecological approach

Evidence-based approach

Principles of equity and non-discriminatory practice

For some workers, especially those working with remote and / or Indigenous communities, additional principles might include:

A holistic and community development approach

Commitment to empowering individuals and the community

Commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of individuals and the community

Different settings for population health action may include:

Home

School

Hospital

Health services

Community

Work

Transport

Sports and recreation facilities

Examples of local, state and national organisations, and initiatives supporting Population Health work include:

Establishments that provide primary health care

Community Clinics

Local public health units

State and national Health departments

Professional and industry associations

Non-government organisations

International health organisations

National charters/declarations include:

Health for All by the Year 2000

Health Promotion: Bridging the Equity Gap