Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide assistance to a podiatrist. This includes delivery and monitoring of specific exercise and rehabilitation programs and the completion of foot health screening.
This unit applies to Allied Health Assistants and should be performed under the direct, indirect or remote supervision and delegation of a Podiatrist.
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:
• assist three different persons, one in a simulated environment and two in the workplace, in relation to specific podiatry foot exercise sessions
• assist with three balance and fall monitoring sessions, one in a simulated environment and two in the workplace
• 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

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
• protocols for the escalation of risks
• allied health core competencies:
• person-centred care
• individual therapy
• group therapy
• communication of information
• equipment and environment
• structure and function of the skin and integuments
• basic biomechanics of the lower limb and gait cycle
• basic anatomy and physiology of the foot
• podiatry exercise and rehabilitation principles
• safe and effective use of instrumentation used in podiatry screening procedures and equipment used in podiatry exercise and rehabilitation programs
• treatment plans, goals and limitations of podiatry intervention
• concepts and procedures for stepping down treatment or intervention when person becomes distressed, in pain or wishes to stop
• medical terminology relevant to podiatry screening and exercise
• organisational policy and procedures relating to:
• confidentiality:
• privacy
• disclosure
• duty of care
• documentation:
• reporting
• recording data
• written communication to Podiatrist
• professional behaviour and presentation
• infection control practices
• work health and safety (WHS)
• manual handling
• supervision and delegation
• scope of practice of the Allied Health Assistant and Podiatrist
• 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
• individualised plans and any relevant equipment outlined in the plan
• organisational policies and procedures
• 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 Podiatrist.

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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