Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance - HLT43021

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.
In the client care environment, this will assist you in your work with clients to establish relationships, undertake assessment and deliver treatment in a safe manner.

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a time responsive way.
In the client care environment, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, your clients and your team. Clear communication assists in safe treatment delivery.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities. 

Clinical experience placement activities may require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking. 

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately in both on-campus and clinical experience settings to build relationships, assess clients and provide treatment. 

In the client care and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require the use of social communication abilities include:

• identifying that a client is uncomfortable or in pain from their facial expression or body posture
• responding to clients with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding and empathy.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

Reading

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, reference material and /or handwritten notes.

In the client care environment, essential client information is communicated in written form.  Tasks which require the use of reading skills include: 

• Reading  and understanding client assessments and Allied Health treatment plans
• Reading safety procedures for safe use of equipment and other essential materials

The ability to read, understand and interpret written information is fundamental for delivery of appropriate and safe client care.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during clinical experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to both on-campus learning and clinical experience placement settings.

In the client care environment, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include: 

• Recording client assessment results
• Contributing to client treatment plans

The ability to accurately communicate in writing in accordance with clinical and legal standards is fundamental for delivery of consistent and safe client care.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during clinical experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Number Skills (Numeracy)

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurements and formulae in a time-efficient manner in the client care and on-campus learning activities.

In the client care environment, tasks which require the use of number skills include:

• Using basic arithmetic to accurately calculate nutrition plans for clients and measuring fluid consistency for clients’ safe ingestion
• Recording accurate measurements and numerical data in client records demonstrating correct recording of results
• Performing accurate measurements such as applying  formula to calculate the Body Mass Index of clients

The ability to accurately work with numbers is important for delivery of appropriate and safe client care.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your numeracy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during clinical experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from the on-campus learning setting during your clinical experience placement.

In the client care environment, tasks which require these cognitive skills include:

• Responding safely to unexpected occurrences, such as when a client feels pain while doing exercise or has a choking response when being fed
• Planning, organising and leading a group session on a physiotherapy program
• Remaining  focussed for the duration of consecutive 1 to 2 hour client treatments over an 8 hour shift 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in the on campus learning environment. The use of these strategies during clinical experience placements should be discussed with the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing clinical experience placement.

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the client care and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require vision include:

• observing that clients are appropriately positioned and safe
• observing  clients’ correct use of therapy equipment 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with the ELS and Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your placement. 

Glasses and other visual aids can be used during -campus simulation environments and on clinical experience placement.

If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with Equitable Learning Services. 

Tactile abilities refer to the sense of touch.

What do I need to be able to do?

The use of tactile abilities supports accurate diagnosis, monitoring and treatment to ensure client safety in the clinical experience placement setting.

In the client care and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require the sense of touch include:

• feeling and detecting changes in the surface temperature of the client’s skin when performing a skin assessment
• feeling  for changes in muscle tissue while massaging the client and applying appropriate pressure without pain, discomfort or harm

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise client safety.

In both the on-campus learning and professional experience settings, tasks will involve: lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting and bending.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the client care and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require gross motor skills include:

• manual handling i.e. safely physically assisting clients with varying physical capacities to move from lying or sitting to a standing position to then transfer clients to a chair, bed or wheelchair
• picking up therapy weights and other therapy equipment such as client transfer slide boards
• undertaking  a range of passive testing, including lifting clients limbs 

Safe manual handling minimises the risk of injury to clients and students. 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise client safety.

i.e.: The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands.

What do I need to be able to do?

In both the on-campus learning and clinical experience settings, tasks may involve: pushing, pressing, turning, pinching, grasping.

In the client care and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require fine motor abilities include:

• Cutting and filing client’s nails on their hands and feet
• Taping and strapping client’s injuries or wounds
• Manipulating client’s hands by bending, pressing and grasping while performing hand therapy
• Mixing exact measurements of fluids and medicines 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise client safety.

This refers to the ability to undertake a task/s over a pre-determined period of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a period of time, or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the client care and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require physical and mental endurance include:

• Maintaining consistent physical performance throughout a clinical experience placement over a 3 week period for 8 hours per day. This may include standing for extended periods.
• Remaining mentally focussed in order to safely complete repetitive tasks when feeding clients and assisting with basic activities of your clients’ daily living
• Assessing, assisting in treatment and conducting  exercises with clients throughout an entire shift 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your circumstances and physical capacities. You may use strategies such as rest breaks to support your performance for on campus learning contexts. It is recommended that you discuss the use of these strategies during placement with ELS and Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Any adjustments should not compromise client safety.