Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:38 AM AWST
23/07/2026 1:38 AM 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.
Perform naturopathic health assessment
Perform naturopathic health assessment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTNAT606C
HLTNAT606C
State Code
D8358
D8358
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
28/08/2012
Field of Education
061901 - Naturopathy
Original Release Date
28/08/2012
Nominal Hours
200
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to observe the condition of the client and gather information relevant to the case, according to a naturopathic framework
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine the scope of the assessment and the client's needs
- 1.1 Establish client's purpose for consultation and identify symptoms experienced
- 1.2 Determine client's eligibility for service using clinic/personal policies
- 1.3 Explain services able to be provided and limits of available services clearly.
- 1.4 Explore and clarify client's expectation of the service/clinic
- 1.5 Identify factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment in consultation with the client and implement strategies to minimise the effects of these factors wherever possible
- 1.6 Define personal abilities, level of professional competence and parameters of role to the client and ensure they determine practice at all times
- 1.7 Refer clients are referred to other health care providers where their needs are identified as beyond the scope of the services able to be provided, or if in the opinion of the practitioner the needs of the clients are best met by doing so
- 1.8 Identify and promote legal rights of the client are identified and promoted
2. Obtain and record an accurate history of the client
- 2.1 Seek information required from the client for the client's history is sought in an respectful way with all enquiries asked in a purposeful, systematic and diplomatic manner
- 2.2 Collect and record accurate, relevant and well organised information in a form which can be interpreted readily by other professionals
- 2.3 Treat information as confidential and store securely
3. Manage the health assessment
- 3.1 Obtain informed client consent prior to conducting tests in accordance with legislative requirements
- 3.2 Pursue and investigate abnormal findings in a deliberate, logical and appropriate manner
- 3.3 Assess reliability of data obtained and establish appropriate clinical correlation with the client's complaints where possible
- 3.4 Use questions to clarify results and gain further information in a manner relevant to the client's needs and test results
- 3.5 Base any decision to carry out laboratory tests on the integration of previously obtained clinical data and history
- 3.6 Adhere to the protocol required by the agency in ordering tests
- 3.7 Allow adequate time during consultation to gather critical information
- 3.8 Identify and minimise factors that may interfere with the information gathering process
- 3.9 Identify, establish and routinely observe essential requirements for the maintenance of clinical and practitioner hygiene
- 3.10 Anticipate potential sensitivities of the client, adapt approach accordingly to take these into account and take steps to ensure the client's dignity are maintained at all times
4. Make a comprehensive assessment of the client
- 4.1 Identify signs of disease/condition and further observations according to naturopathic framework
- 4.2 Elicit specific details of signs and symptoms of the presenting complaint/s
- 4.3 Use other appropriate assessment techniques
- 4.4 Accurately record all information in a systematic manner in accordance with clinic guidelines
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.
Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to additional parties being present
Cultural or gender factors
Other health care professional may include:
Doctors
Social workers
Alternative and complementary health practitioners
Counsellors
Client history may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for consultation
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health:
physical
emotional
allergies
dietary picture
sleep pattern
exercise
leisure activities
Childhood and adult illness
Accidents, injuries, operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical treatment
Medication, supplements and natural remedies - current and previous
Social lifestyle including social drug usage
Family history
Details required for homeopathic case
Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnicity
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history
Signs of disease/condition may refer to:
Precipitating factors
Relieving factors
Associated manifestations
Indications of stage and status of illness
Symptom qualities
Functional and pathological disturbances
Legal and regulatory requirements:
All procedures must be conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements.
Other appropriate assessment techniques may include:
Observation
Discussion
Taking temperature
Taking pulse and blood pressure
Palpation and auscultation
Skin examination
Percussion
External physical examination
Iridology techniques
Urine tests
Assessment of growth (height, weight, head circumference) and development
Overview of system - enquiring about the presence of previously diagnosed organic diseases and functional disorders
Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
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.
Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to additional parties being present
Cultural or gender factors
Other health care professional may include:
Doctors
Social workers
Alternative and complementary health practitioners
Counsellors
Client history may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for consultation
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health:
physical
emotional
allergies
dietary picture
sleep pattern
exercise
leisure activities
Childhood and adult illness
Accidents, injuries, operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical treatment
Medication, supplements and natural remedies - current and previous
Social lifestyle including social drug usage
Family history
Details required for homeopathic case
Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnicity
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history
Signs of disease/condition may refer to:
Precipitating factors
Relieving factors
Associated manifestations
Indications of stage and status of illness
Symptom qualities
Functional and pathological disturbances
Legal and regulatory requirements:
All procedures must be conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements.
Other appropriate assessment techniques may include:
Observation
Discussion
Taking temperature
Taking pulse and blood pressure
Palpation and auscultation
Skin examination
Percussion
External physical examination
Iridology techniques
Urine tests
Assessment of growth (height, weight, head circumference) and development
Overview of system - enquiring about the presence of previously diagnosed organic diseases and functional disorders
Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
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 the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic)
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Skilled assessors
Relevant assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
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 simulated clinical setting. If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Examples of assessment notes
Practical demonstrations and exercises
Research work or written reports of observations in a practical setting
Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy
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
Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related units:
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
HLTNAT609C Work within a naturopathic framework
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 the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic)
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Skilled assessors
Relevant assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
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 simulated clinical setting. If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Examples of assessment notes
Practical demonstrations and exercises
Research work or written reports of observations in a practical setting
Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy
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
Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related units:
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
HLTNAT609C Work within a naturopathic framework
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9363 | HLTNAT606B | Perform naturopathic health assessment | Unit of competency |
| C5084 | HLTNAT6A | Perform Naturopathic health assessment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J114 | HLT60512 | Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy | Qualification |
| D105 | HLT60507 | Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy | Qualification |