Elements and Performance Criteria

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.


Supervision refers to:
Instructing, advising, and monitoring another person in order to ensure safe and effective performance in carrying out the duties of their position
The nature of supervision is flexible and may be conducted by various means including:
in person
through use of electronic communications media such as telephone or video conferencing, where necessary
Frequency of supervision will be determined by factors such as:
the task maturity of the person in that position or clinical placement
the need to review and assess client conditions and progress in order to establish or alter treatment plans in case of students and assistants
the need to correct and develop non clinical aspects such as time management, organisation requirements, communication skills, and other factors supporting the provision of clinical care and working within a team
A person under supervision does not require direct (immediate) and continuous personal interaction, but the method and frequency will be determined by factors outlined above


Clients may include:
Infants
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Elderly people


Settings may include
Hospitals
Community health services
Private practice
Client homes
Aged care residential care settings


Surgical podiatry procedures may include
Debridement of onychocryptosis under local anaesthesia
Partial or total nail avulsion with phenolisation
Curettage
Conservative sharp debridement of wounds


Equipment may include:
Personal protective equipment such as eyewear, gloves, masks, surgical gowns, footwear protection, surgical headwear
Surgical drapes and those materials used to comply with infection control guidelines and protocols
Podiatry surgery instruments, including:
scalpel handles and blades
root elevators
black's files/files
nail clippers
thwaites nippers
digital torniquets
rasp
curette
excavator
spatula
forceps (fine, blunt, locking, straight, spencer wells, cheatles, rampley)
bailey toe spreader
burrs
scissors
Syringes and needles (disposable and reusable syringes, suture material and needles
Electrical devices for curettage and haemostasis
Casting /orthoses/footwear equipment including:
bench grinder
solvent and adhesive materials
synthetic and natural orthotic and footwear materials
plaster/ plaster bandage
cleaning and disinfecting equipment
brannock device


Clinical standards, guidelines, policies and procedures may include:
Clinical standards (state and national)
Infection Control Guidelines for Podiatrists, Australasian Podiatry Council, September 2005
Clinical Guidelines for Orthotic Therapy Provided by Podiatrists
Relevant Australian Standards
Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4815 - 2001 (Office-based health care facilities not involved in complex patient procedures and processes - Cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment, and maintenance of the associated environment)
Australian Standard AS 4187 - 1998 (Cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment and maintenance of associated environments in a health care facilities)
Australian Standard AS 2182 - 1998 (Sterilisers - steam-bench top)
Industry professional bodies:
Australasian Podiatry Council
Australian Podiatry Association (State)
Industry standards (state and national)
Podiatrists Registration Board (State)
Organisation policy directives
Privacy Act
Medical Records Act


Information may include:
Podiatry care plan
Client treatment plan
Supervising podiatrists instructions
Client record
Checklists
Case notes
Other forms according to procedures of the organisation
Material Safety Data Sheets
Manufacturers' instructions and guidelines

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
Evidence of understanding and application of infection control and OH&S standards and protocols is essential
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated for a minimum of seven different procedures (including surgical assistance, basic assessment and orthotic/footwear preparation and modification)
Consistent adherence to supervisory requirements


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:
Assessment must be completed in the workplace
Relevant guidelines, standards and procedures
Supervision from a podiatrist
Resources essential for assessment include:
Clients
Equipment
Documentation


Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge, along with structured objective clinical assessment and self reflective tasks such as journaling
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a supported and controlled clinical setting. If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision.