Elements and Performance Criteria

Patients may include:
women
men
children
new or regular patients with routine or special needs
patients from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Relevant legislation may include:
federal, state and local health and hygiene
occupational health and safety.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:
health and hygiene
comfort and privacy
timeframes for the completion of the service
quality assurance.

Nutritional needs and health problems across the patient's lifespan may include:

stage of life:

prenatal

infancy

childhood

adolescence

adulthood

menopause

late adulthood

nutritional needs of different population groups

energy requirements of different population groups

common diet-related health problems

role of nutrients in managing ideal weight.

Digestive system includes:

organs of the gastrointestinal tract:

mouth

oesophagus

stomach

small intestine

large intestine

rectum

anus

salivatory glands

pancreas

gall bladder

liver

functions of the digestive system, including mechanical and chemical digestive processes

common disorders of the digestive system.

nutrients:

proteins

carbohydrates

fats (lipids)

vitamins

minerals

water

dietary fibre

cholesterol.

Excretory system includes:

organs of the excretory system:

kidneys

liver

lungs

skin

common disorders of the urinary system:

cystitis

kidney stones

kidney failure.

Appropriate professionals may include:
medical practitioner
complementary therapist
nutritionist
dietician.

Nutritional requirements and dietary health problems may include:
guidelines for specific nutrients e.g. foods containing protein
recommended dietary intake
healthy eating pyramid
obesity and heart disease
weight management
eating disorders
malabsorption.

Healthy nutritional options may include:

general or specific advice to client

macro-nutrients

proteins

carbohydrates

fats

dietary fibre

water.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
knowledge and consistent application of relevant workplace policies and procedures
knowledge and consistent application of federal, state and local health and hygiene legislation and regulations
knowledge and consistent application of safe work practices and the safe use of products and electrical equipment, including the use of protective measures, according to manufacturer safety manuals and occupational health and safety legislation and regulations
knowledge and consistent application of the principles of nutrition as applied to trichological treatments
evaluating client needs and requirements and advising on nutritional needs, home care and complementary products
accurately and legibly recording relevant data.

Context of assessment
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the trichologist and/or a nutrition specialist and may be in a simulated environment.
Competency should be demonstrated in a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations that may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Specific resources for assessment
Competency for this unit should be assessed through access to:
relevant documentation, such as workplace policy and procedures manuals
relevant learning materials
a qualified workplace assessor or assessment team.

Relationship to other units
This unit is a co-requisite for a range of trichology units. It requires an assessment outcome that includes evidence of the application of knowledge of nutrition to the performance of one or more trichological consultations.
none.
WRHHS404A Perform trichological assessments
WRHHS406A Develop and apply scalp treatment therapies.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested.
Observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in a simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:
identifying client characteristics and developing a nutritional treatment plan according to client needs
providing advice according to client needs.
Written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of nutrition in relation to the performance of trichological treatments, including after-care advice and relevant legislation.
Completing workplace documentation relevant to the provision of trichological treatments.
Third-party reports from experienced trichology professionals in the workplace.
Completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from trainer, coach or supervisor.

Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.
It can be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone, through an integrated assessment activity or through a combination of both.
Evidence should be gathered as part of the learning process.

Communicating ideas and information
Evaluating client nutritional needs and advising on nutritional requirements require the communication of ideas and information. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Identifying client nutritional needs requires information to be collected, analysed and organised. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Applying knowledge of nutrition to the provision of trichological assessments and/or treatments and providing nutritional advice according to client requirements, health and hygiene requirements, and workplace procedures require activities to be planned and organised. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Supporting the efficient operation of the workplace and working within workplace policies and procedures may involve teamwork. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Applying knowledge of nutrition to trichological assessments and/or treatments may require the use of mathematical ideas and techniques. (1)

Solving problems
Recognising and responding to client requirements require problem solving skills. (3)

Using technology
Recording relevant outcomes may require the use of technology. (1)