Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide assistance to an Allied Health Professional such as an Orthotist or Prosthetist. Work includes supporting persons who use orthoses and prostheses, their carers and other members of a multi-disciplinary team, to assist with the manufacture and provision of orthoses and protheses.
This unit applies to Allied Health Assistants and should be performed under the direct, indirect or remote supervision and delegation of an Orthotist or Prosthetist.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Allied Health Assistant Framework, Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
• support the use of orthoses or prostheses as delegated by the Orthotist or Prosthetist, for three people with different requirements, encompassing one in simulation and two in the workplace
• instruct three people with different requirements, encompassing one in simulation and two in the workplace, in the safe use, transportation and maintenance of orthoses or prostheses
• perform the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 120 hours of allied health assistance work. At least 60% of this work must be carried out in an allied health workplace. The remaining 40% may be carried out in a simulated environment, if an allied health workplace is unavailable.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrate the knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
• procedures for escalation of risks
• allied health core competencies:
• person-centred care
• individual therapy
• group therapy
• communication of information with persons who use orthoses and prostheses
• technology and environment
• communication needs of persons with congenital, developmental, acquired and progressive disabilities
• TGA regulatory requirements including:
• identifying the manufacturer of a medical device
• how and why it is important to work within a manufacturer specifications and intended purpose of the device
• when and how to liaise with appropriate Orthotist or Prosthetist when there is a breach of manufacturer specifications and intended purpose of the device
• how to evaluate the environment of a persons who uses orthoses or prostheses, and the importance and methods of making the environment safe for use of an orthosis or prosthesis
• how to assemble, adjust and test orthoses or prostheses within scope of practice for an Allied Health Assistant
• the principles of movement, mobility and posture management including an understanding of balance and gait
• the range, associated systems and purpose of orthoses and prostheses
• the psychological effects of disability due to injury or disease and strategies used to cope
• the signs of adverse reaction to different orthotic or prosthetic services
• factors that facilitate an effective and collaborative working relationship
• organisational policies and procedures in relation to:
• confidentiality:
• privacy
• disclosure
• documentation:
• reporting
• recording patient data
• written communication to Allied Health Professionals
• duty of care
• professional behaviour, presentation, language and terminology
• infection control practices as it relates to supply and use of orthoses and prostheses
• work health and safety (WHS)
• manual handling
• supervisory requirements and delegation
• instructing people
• informed consent
• work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations including other allied health team members and nursing, medical and other personnel
• Scope of practice of the Allied Health Assistant and Orthotist or Prosthetist
• principles of empowering the older person
• principles of empowering people living with disability or serious mental illness
• changes related to ageing
• concepts of holistic health and wellbeing
• social determinants of health
• concepts of the medical model, the biopsychosocial models and the human rights-based approach of allied health interventions
• principles of choice and control
• concept of reablement
• allied health settings:
• hospital
• community health
• mental health
• disability sector
• aged care sectors.

Assessment Conditions

Skills may be demonstrated in the workplace, or in a simulated environment, as per the conditions outlined in the performance evidence.
Assessment must ensure:
• access to suitable facilities, equipment and resources that reflect real working conditions and model industry operating conditions and contingencies
• access to individualised plans and any relevant technology outlined in the plan
• access to organisational policies and procedures
• access to manufacturer instructions
• access to a range of orthoses and prostheses
• opportunities for engagement with real people accessing allied health services.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and:
• be a Certificate IV qualified Allied Health Assistant with a minimum of three years of professional experience in allied health services; or
• a registered Allied Health Professional or Orthotist or Prosthetist.

Foundation Skills

• {'skill': 'Foundation Skills', 'description': 'Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.'}

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