Diploma of Remedial Massage - HLT52021

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.
In clinical practice and on-campus simulation environments, this will assist you in your work with clients to establish relationships, undertake assessment, explain and deliver treatment in a safe manner.

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a time responsive way.
In clinical practice and on-campus simulation environments, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, clients, supervisors and other health professionals.

Clear communication assists with completing your professional experience placement tasks safely.

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. 

Professional 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 learning activities and professional experience settings to build relationships, assess clients and provide treatment. 

In clinical practice and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require social communication abilities include:

• interpreting clients’ non-verbal communication, such as 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 clinical practice and on-campus simulation environments, essential client information is communicated in written form.  Tasks which require reading skills include: 

• Reading and demonstrating an understanding  of client assessments, treatment and history forms
• Reading, understanding and correctly interpreting scientific literature and other essential written information

The ability to read, understand and interpret written information is fundamental for the 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 professional 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 on-campus and professional experience placement settings. 

In clinical practice and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include: 

• Recording assessment results and treatment plans in accordance with industry standards
• Record keeping and reporting 

The accuracy of written communication is in accordance with professional and legal standards and 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 professional 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 simulation environments.

In clinical practice and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require the use of number skills include:

• performing accurate measurements, calculated by degrees, when testing a clients’ range of movement
• determining and recording accurate numeric results in the client history documentation and understanding the numeric results recorded by others 

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 professional 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 in clinical situations during your professional experience placement.

In the clinical practice environment, assessment and intervention tasks require:

• Conducting client assessment and treatment plans using clinical reasoning so completion of the treatment can be achieved within the time constraint of a session
• Problem solving, interacting and providing feedback to clients simultaneously and in a time appropriate manner.

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 professional experience placements should be discussed with the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your professional 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 clinical practice and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require vision include observing: 

• conducting a range of movements and observing your clients’ responses in order to determine treatment options
• observing skin colour when applying remedial massage techniques such as the suction of the skin with myofacial cupping
• observing  your client to ensure they are comfortable and appropriately positioned for assessment or treatment 

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 on-campus learning activities and on professional 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 setting.

In the clinical practice and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require a sense of touch include:

• feeling the border of muscle tissue tension while massaging
• adequately applying remedial massage techniques by feeling the tension in muscle tissue and recognising through touch, any changes in response

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 clinical practice and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require gross motor skills include:

• Performing a straight leg raise by passively lifting a client's leg
• Manual handling ie safely physically assisting clients with varying physical capacities to move from lying or sitting to a standing position
• Providing physical pressure through remedial massage treatment techniques
• Adopting postures to maximise mechanical advantage in delivering treatment and minimising the strain on your body 

Safe manual handling minimises the risk of injury yourself and others.

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 settings, tasks will involve: pushing, pressing, turning, pinching, grasping and mobilising.

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

• Locating knots in muscles by pinching and pressing, feeling for change in the muscle tissue and releasing the tension by pressing the muscles
• Operating electrical stimulating equipment by turning small knobs and dials

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 clinical practice environment, tasks which require physical and mental endurance include:

• Maintaining consistent physical performance, including standing for extended periods and undertaking physical therapies
• Focusing intensely on the assessment, treatment and care of successive clients for the duration of a clinical shift (approximately 4 hours)

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.