A S S E S S ME N T
Assessment 22149/01
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
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Introduction
These assessment tasks have been designed to allow you to provide evidence that
demonstrates your competency in the unit HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in
health, specifically:
> Working ethically in the workplace
> Communicating effectively in a health setting
> Practicing high standards of personal hygiene
> Promoting a positive approach to health
> Maintaining professional work standards
> Working effectively within the health care system
> Taking responsibility for person skill development
1
There are 5 tasks to this assessment.
Assessment item
Submission requirements
Task 1
5 Multiple choice questions
Task 2
Short answer questions
Task 3
3 Case studies
Task 4
Personal work plan
Task 5
Professional Development Plan
Task 1 Work ethically
Complete the multiple choice questions by selecting the most appropriate response for each of
the five (5) questions based on the following case study. Each question is worth one (1) mark.
Case scenario
Angela has been invited to lunch by Kellie, a work colleague who is also an Allied Health
Assistant. They are joined at the restaurant by two other work colleagues. During the meal,
Kellie becomes very loud so other customers in the restaurant can hear and she starts to talk
about a client who is a frequent visitor to the practice. Kellie names the client and describes
him as irritable and demanding. Frances, another member of the team, explains that she heard
the patient telling the Allied Health Professional that he has been depressed since his wife left
him earlier in the year and that his heavy smoking and drinking are having a bad effect on his
health.
When Angela suggests it is time to ask for the bill and return to work, Frances announces that
the lunch is a gift from a sales representative from a pharmaceutical as a thank you for advising
patients with prescriptions not to ask for the ‘generic’ brand at the pharmacy.
1. The allied health assistants are on their lunch break:
a. so workplace policies for privacy and confidentiality do not apply.
b. are still held accountable for their ethical conduct whilst in public.
c. and should be careful to not wear anything that could identify the name of the
practice.
d. and therefore cannot be disciplined if they breach their employer’s policies.
2. In identifying the client and sharing personal information about him, the staff members
have:
a. not seriously caused any harm to the client so it’s fine to forget the incident.
b. breached their duty of care and legal responsibilities.
c. not breached confidentiality because it is unlikely anyone in the restaurant knows the
client.
d. discriminated against the client
3. Where could the staff find information about the organisation’s guidelines for behaving
ethically?
a.The Australian Health Journal.
b. The Fair Work Australia website
c. workplace policies and procedures and Employee Handbook.
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d. workplace Health and Safety Manual.
a. building a strong partnership with suppliers
A S S E S S ME N T
4. Accepting a gift from a sales representative for giving specific advice to clients, is an
example of:
b. unethical behaviour and a conflict of interest
c. finding ways of improving how to communicate with clients
d. developing a reputation for having good team working skills
5. What should Angela do about her concerns about accepting the ‘free lunch’?
a. Refer her concerns to her supervisor.
b. Contact the sales representative’s employer.
c. Accept that Kellie and Frances are more knowledgeable about the organisations’
policies than she is.
d. Send an email to everyone who attended the lunch asking them not to include her in
future outings.
3
Task 2
This section is designed to gather evidence of your ability to maintain professional work
standards and to work effectively within the health care system. To complete the assessment
you will need a job description for an allied health assistant (this could be your current job
description or sourced from the Internet for a position advertised in Australia). You can expect
to write approximately 150-200 word responses for each question.
1. Use at least two examples to explain how you can adjust your communication style and
methods to suit the individual characteristics of the person you are communicating with.
2. Reflect on your experience of a specific allied health practice (this could be your
workplace or a practice that you attend) and make at least one suggestion for changing
work practices that would enhance delivery of client services. How could you encourage
team members to have a positive attitude to the change you are suggesting?
3. How can you use your communication skills to demonstrate a client-centred approach to
patient care?
4. Complete the following table by describing the quality management system applied in this
workplace.
Quality Management
Details
Summary of the type of services provided to clients:
What accreditation standards apply to this
organisation?
What is the purpose of accreditation process for
organisations in the health sector?
What do you need to know about accreditation
standards to perform the role of a dental assistant
appropriately?
What process does this organisation use for quality
improvement?
5. Explain how you could regularly contribute as an allied health assistant to your employer
achieving their business goals?
6. You have been asked to participate in an emergency fire drill. How will you find out about
your duty of care to patients and team members during an emergency or fire?
7. Write the text of an email or a flyer that you could send to staff to explain three methods
that could be used to improve sustainability in the allied health practice. Your email or
flyer should be designed to motivate staff to implement the methods you are suggesting.
8. Complete the following table by describing a time where you have had a conflict or serious
disagreement with a colleague, either in your workplace or in a school or college. What
methods did you use to attempt to resolve the situation? You should check the Conflict
Resolution Website for useful information about resolving conflict (http://www.crnhq.org/)
What was the conflict or disagreement about?
Who was involved?
What was the setting? (school, college, workplace,
for example)
What outcome did you want?
What methods did you use to resolve the conflict?
What was the outcome?
What would you do differently?
4
There are three case studies in this section. You can expect to write approximately 100 words to
respond for each of the questions that follow the case studies.
A S S E S S ME N T
Task 3
1. Answer the questions that follow this case study.
Case study
Jasmine is providing assistance to the allied health professional who is examining Matthew,
aged 13 years, a new patient of the practice. Matthew has a physical disability that requires him
to use a walking frame.
During the examination the allied health professional explains to Matthew and his mother,
Leanne, that it is very important that he eats less sweet foods as it is having an impact on his
health.
As Jasmine is helping Matthew with adjusting his glasses she noticed a large bruise behind his
ear. She becomes particularly concerned when she observes a number of what appear to be
burn marks on the top of his arms.
a) Who could assist Jasmine to understand her obligations for reporting her concerns
about Matthew?
b) What resources could Jasmine give to Matthew and his mother to help them learn
about improving Matthew’s health?
Case study (cont)
Jasmine was interested to know why Matthew and Leanne had moved to their practice as
it is much further from their home than the practice that they had been attending. Leanne
explained that while the practice accepts the Government voucher for free services each year,
Matthew was unable to navigate the stairs to the practice’s new location.
c) Explain how the lack of an alternate access for people with a disability could be an
example of an ‘access and equity’ issue.
2. Read the following scenario and answer the question that follows:
Case study
Roy, aged 73 years, an Indigenous Australian who has spent most of his life living in the
Kimberley region. While on holiday with his brother in Sydney, he fell and broke his hip. His
holiday has become an extended visit as the local medical practitioner has identified a range
of medical concerns for Roy. He has been receiving home care at a house he has rented
temporarily. Roy found it difficult to find an allied health service that would accept him as a
patient. The last practice he contacted for an appointment, told him that they had accepted
cash only for payment of accounts and they had previously had a bad experience with
Indigenous patients not paying their account.
On Roy’s first appointment, he has presented without a carer and looking dirty and poorly
dressed. He tells you that he can’t believe how little he is given to eat by the service who are
providing his home care.
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a) Select three of the other teams or individuals in the health care system that may be
involved in supporting or caring for Roy. Explain the contribution that they could make
to his health and well-being.
b) Research the types of health issues that are of particular concern for Indigenous
Australians and the current programs and services that target these issues. Use your
findings to answer the following questions:
-What health issues are of particular concern for Indigenous Australians?
-What type of services might be available to Roy once he returns to his remote
community in Central Australia?
c) What action would you take if you suspected that Roy was being neglected or abused?
d) Explain how Roy appears to have been discriminated against by the other practice.
e) The allied health professional has asked you to make a follow-up appointment for Roy.
How could you demonstrate a ‘client-centred’ approach in making the appointment?
Case study (cont)
Roy’s brother, Bill, has contacted the practice to ask if he can come in and pick-up a copy of
Roy’s health records. He is putting in a complaint on Roy’s behalf about the home care that Roy
has been receiving. He wants the records as evidence of poor quality meals and inadequate
personal care that Roy has received from his service provider.
f) Are you able to give Bill a copy of his brother’s health records? Give reasons for your
answer that includes reference to relevant legislation.
3. Complete the questions that follow the case study.
Case study
Healthy Bodies is a small family allied health practice owned by husband and wife team John
Tan and Amy Tan. Donna has recently joined the practice as an allied health assistant. Her task
for today includes organising the treatment room before the first appointment. During the day,
she will assist in the reception area and provide assistance to the allied health professionals.
a) Complete the following table by recording the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
that Donna should use to clean the treatment room.
PPE
Suitable for use with the
following activities
Two checks that Donna should make to
ensure that she is using the PPE correctly
Gloves
Mask
Disposable gown
Eyewear
b) What action should Donna take if she identifies a hazard, such as a food spill, torn
floor covering or electrical fault, in the reception area?
c) What are Donna’s responsibilities for the health and safety of patients while they are
visiting the practice?
d) What process should Donna follow to dispose of the waste material that was left in the
practice from the day before?
6
A S S E S S ME N T
e) The team working yesterday breached the practice’s standard operating procedures
by leaving waste material overnight in the treatment room. What action should Donna
take to bring this to the attention of the relevant person?
Case study (cont)
Donna has taken a break from organising the treatment room to check her email and to have a
cup of coffee in the staff kitchen.
f) What steps should Donna take in regard to her personal hygiene to reduce the risk of
contamination or infection before she continues her task of organising the practice?
g) Donna will be the last to leave work this evening as she is processing the end-of-month
accounts. What security issues should she consider when locking up the business on
her own and walking to her car after hours?
h) What process could Donna follow to ensure that she records patient information
correctly and gives patients correct information about their payments and
appointments?
i) What standards of personal hygiene would Donna’s employers expect her to adhere to?
Use the following table to record your answer.
Personal presentation,
health and hygiene
Required standard
Risk if the correct standards
are not maintained
Jewellery
Fingernails
Nail polish
Damaged skins (cuts, abrasions)
Uniform
Footwear
Immunisation
j) How should Donna respond if she is asked by a close friend to not charge her for a
routine appointment?
7
Task 4
This section is designed to gather evidence of your ability to develop a personal work plan
that reflects your workplace policies and procedures, legal responsibilities and terms of
employment. To complete the assessment you will need:
> a job description for an allied health assistant (this could be your current job description
or sourced from the Internet for a position advertised in Australia)
> information about employment terms from the relevant Award, Enterprise Agreement or
Employment Contract
> workplace policies and procedures
Personal Work Plan for (insert name)
Organisation:
Date prepared:
Date reviewed:
Position title:
Daily work activities:
Responsibilities:
How I can demonstrate a ‘client centred’ approach in performing my role.
Usual hours of work:
Leave entitlements:
Procedure for advising workplace
of non-attendance:
Ramifications for the client if I
breach my duty or care
Ramifications for the
organisation if I breach my duty
or care
Specific responsibilities for:
Duty of care
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Ramifications for the client if I
breach privacy and confidentiality
policies
Ramifications for the
organisation if I breach privacy
and confidentiality policies
Ethical behaviour
Ramifications for the client if I
breach my ethical guidelines
Ramifications for the
organisation if I breach my
ethical guidelines
A S S E S S ME N T
Privacy and confidentiality
My employer’s obligations
The procedure for reporting
sexual harassment is:
The procedure for reporting
discrimination is:
The procedure for reporting a
workplace incident such as an
accident is:
Sources of workplace information:
Information I will require access
to:
Source:
Workplace policies
Standard Operating Procedures
Code of practice
Employment terms
Ethical guidelines
Protocols for workplace
communication
9
Task 5 Professional Development Plan
Instructions
Complete the following Personal Development Plan template using the guidelines listed below
for each section. Section 1 and 2 are worth a total of ten (10) marks each and Section 3 is worth
a total of twenty (20) marks. The entire task has a maximum total of forty (40) marks.
Section 1 Personal and professional goals
Consider and identify both your immediate and longer-term professional goals (e.g. working
in isolated rural communities and working in community education). Provide at least three (3)
goals in section 1 of your Professional Development Plan.
Section 2 Identified strengths and areas for improvement
Complete section 2 by listing the various activities that are routinely performed by an allied
health assistant. To assist you in completing this part of the plan items are broken into clinical
skills and experiences (competencies associated with your role as a allied health assistant) and
non-clinical skills and experience (general work competencies and employability skills).
In column 2, identify the clinical skills, knowledge and experience required to perform the
activity competently. In column 3, identify the non-clinical skills, knowledge and experience
that are also required. You must reflect and comment on your communication skills to
complete this task.
Provide at least three (3) examples of each. It is important that you speak to appropriate people
such as a workplace supervisor, experienced allied health assistant or trainer, for advice about
the skills, knowledge and experience required to be an effective allied health assistant.
Finalise section 2, by evaluating your current levels of skills, knowledge and experience to list
your strengths and areas for improvement.
Section 3 Professional development activities
To assist you in completing this part of the plan access Professional Association websites (or
other relevant sites) and research the forums, workshops, activities and links listed. Consider
professional development activities that will meet your identified areas for improvement and
provide the activity name, details (such as dates, location and cost) provide a brief overview of
the content of the activity and how it will meet your identified area for improvement. Provide
details of at least four (4) activities.
Section 4 Completed professional development activities
Use this section of the template to record details of those professional development activities
you undertake. You should include details of the induction training you completed in your
workplace or as part of your work placement.
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Name:
Over the next 5 years
Over the next 12
months
Timeframe
3
2
1
3
2
1
Section 1 Personal and professional goals
People I consulted to develop this plan:
Date
Name
Organisation:
Personal Work Goals
Contact details:
Professional Development Plan
A S S E S S ME N T
11
12
1
2
3
2
3
3
3
1
2
2
Areas for improvement
1
1
Strengths
Non-clinical Skills and Knowledge
Non-clinical skills, knowledge and experience required to
perform this activity
Clinical Skills and Knowledge
Clinical skills, knowledge and experience required to
perform this activity
Evaluation of my strengths and areas
for improvement
Work activity
Section 2 Identified strengths and areas for improvement
Details
Induction training
Activity title
Provider
Dates
Content overview
Section 4 Completed professional development activities
4
3
2
1
Activity title
Section 3 Planned professional development activities
Outcomes achieved
How this will meet the identified area for
improvement
Feedback from workplace
supervisor or trainer
Feedback from a workplace
supervisor or experienced Dental
Assistant about my selected activity
A S S E S S ME N T
13
Student checklist
Before submitting your assessment use the checklist below to ensure you have covered all the
requirements of each of the tasks.
Assessment submission requirements
14
I have
completed
this:
Task 1
Completed 5 multiple choice questions
□
Task 2
Completed 8 short answer questions
□
Task 3
Completed 3 case studies
□
Task 4
Prepared Professional Development Plan
□
Task 5
Prepared Personal Work Plan
□