Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 2:48 PM AWST
22/07/2026 2:48 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Apply principles of stoma care
Apply principles of stoma care
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTEN616B
HLTEN616B
State Code
D8241
D8241
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/07/2011
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
22/07/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
DescriptorThis competency unit describes the skills and knowledge required by Enrolled/Division 2 nurses to apply the principles of contemporary stoma management in the provision pf holistic care for the client with a stoma
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Contribute to multi-disciplinary health care team in caring for the client with a stoma
- 1.1 Contribute to the multi-disciplinary health care team in the holistic management of the needs of the client and their significant other/s
- 1.2 Work with an understanding of the role of specialist nursing and medical services in long-term management of the client
- 1.3 Collaborate with community agencies in partnership with the client to maintain continuity of care
2. Assess health care needs of client with a stoma
- 2.1 Initiate holistic health assessment and collect accurate client information in accordance with health unit policy
- 2.2 Use a range of assessment tools relevant to client care requirements
- 2.3 Identify the physiological, pathological and congenital conditions leading to stoma creation
- 2.4 Work with an understanding of the psychological factors impacting on the client with a stoma and on their significant other/s
- 2.5 Determine client understanding of their condition and self-management requirements
- 2.6 Review the knowledge of identified significant other/s in relation to the client's condition, management and therapies
3. Plan holistic care for the client with a stoma
- 3.1 Ensure nursing care plan reflects specific stoma care requirements in accordance with health unit policy
- 3.2 Ensure planned care and therapeutic interventions aim to assist client/s to achieve optimal health outcomes
- 3.3 Identify health promotion, health education and discharge planning on the nursing care plan
- 3.4 Regularly discuss care management plan with the registered nurse and other members of the health care team
- 3.5 Discuss the plan of care with significant other/s, with consent of the client
4. Provide comprehensive care for client with a stoma
- 4.1 Apply principles of contemporary stoma management in the provision of client care within organisation policy and procedural guidelines
- 4.2 Prioritise nursing interventions for clients according to their needs
- 4.3 Use critical thinking and problem solving approaches in undertaking client care
- 4.4 Communicate with registered nurses and other members of the health care team about alterations in conditions of client
- 4.5 Promote partnership between nurse and client in implementation of health teaching
- 4.6 Provide client education to promote health and self management
- 4.7 Collaborate with other health professionals re discharge planning and ongoing client support
5. Evaluate progress toward expected outcomes of care
- 5.1 Critically analyse, evaluate and modify the care/management plan according to client progress toward planned outcomes in consultation/ collaboration with the registered nurse
- 5.2 Evaluate client acceptance of specific health promotion initiatives prior to discharge
- 5.3 Determine client understanding of their specific condition, management and therapies prior to discharge
- 5.4 Evaluate, document and communicate outcomes of care to other members of the health care team in accordance with health unit policy
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.
Clients may include:
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Older adults
Significant others
Health care setting may include:
Hospitals (private or public)
Aged care facility
Respite centre
Clinics (medical, day or outpatient)
Community or General Practice settings
Rehabilitation hospitals
Paediatric settings, childcare or schools
Multidisciplinary health care team members may include:
Nurses
Doctors
Allied health professionals
Community or volunteer staff
Administration staff from a variety of organisations
Clients and their families
Professional and associated organisations include:
Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses
World Council of Enterostomal Therapists
Colostomy Associations
Ileostomy Associations
Crohns and Colitis Association
GISS
Stoma management may include:
Pre-operative and pre-procedure bowel preparation
Wound care specific to stoma operation i.e. perineal wounds
Supporting bridge site care
Appliance and product selection and management
Management of skin and peristomal skin conditions
Management of feeding and drainage tubes
Management of urinary incontinence
Faecal incontinence - types, causes, assessment and management
Skin care and products to assist in the management of incontinence
Making long bags
Management of constipation, diarrhoea, constipation and flatus
Care of high output stomas
Odour control
Knowledge of available resources
Stoma care may include issues relating to:
Altered fluid and electrolyte states
Nutrition/hydration
Body image and sexuality
Psychological and psycho-social considerations
Activities of daily living
Jejunostomy
Gastrotomy
Caecostomy
Gastrointestinal and Genito-urinary fistula care
Health promotion goals/ outcomes may include:
Effective gas exchange
Protection of own airway
Re-inflation of lungs
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.
Clients may include:
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Older adults
Significant others
Health care setting may include:
Hospitals (private or public)
Aged care facility
Respite centre
Clinics (medical, day or outpatient)
Community or General Practice settings
Rehabilitation hospitals
Paediatric settings, childcare or schools
Multidisciplinary health care team members may include:
Nurses
Doctors
Allied health professionals
Community or volunteer staff
Administration staff from a variety of organisations
Clients and their families
Professional and associated organisations include:
Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses
World Council of Enterostomal Therapists
Colostomy Associations
Ileostomy Associations
Crohns and Colitis Association
GISS
Stoma management may include:
Pre-operative and pre-procedure bowel preparation
Wound care specific to stoma operation i.e. perineal wounds
Supporting bridge site care
Appliance and product selection and management
Management of skin and peristomal skin conditions
Management of feeding and drainage tubes
Management of urinary incontinence
Faecal incontinence - types, causes, assessment and management
Skin care and products to assist in the management of incontinence
Making long bags
Management of constipation, diarrhoea, constipation and flatus
Care of high output stomas
Odour control
Knowledge of available resources
Stoma care may include issues relating to:
Altered fluid and electrolyte states
Nutrition/hydration
Body image and sexuality
Psychological and psycho-social considerations
Activities of daily living
Jejunostomy
Gastrotomy
Caecostomy
Gastrointestinal and Genito-urinary fistula care
Health promotion goals/ outcomes may include:
Effective gas exchange
Protection of own airway
Re-inflation of lungs
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
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
Method of assessment
Observation 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 - verbal or written
Role play/simulation
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
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 a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
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
Method of assessment
Observation 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 - verbal or written
Role play/simulation
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
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9247 | HLTEN616A | Apply principles of stoma care | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVZ87 | HLTENN030 | Implement and monitor care for a person with a stoma | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D111 | HLT61107 | Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |