CHCPAL003 - Deliver care services using a palliative approach

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment tasks will be designed to reinforce & extend knowledge and skill competence within set & controlled parameters in accordance with each units learning outcomes & performance criteria requirements, including the setting of work based practical application tasks designed to provide evidence of competence outcomes, within periodic and scheduled timelines.

Students will be expected to demonstrate the following required skills:

• support, report and document issues and needs of three people receiving palliative care, including:

• supporting the person’s needs and preferences in relation to their care
• responding to changing needs and circumstances in the person’s care
• providing emotional support to the person, their family or carer as required
• completing documentation in a timely, accurate and objective manner according to organisational policies and procedures

• at least one of the above people must be receiving end-of-life care
• reflect on own emotional responses to death and dying and discuss with supervisor on at least one occasion.

Students will also be expected to demonstrate the following knowledge:

• philosophy, principles, benefits and scope of palliative care
• the needs of people dealing with a life-limiting illness and the emotional impact of diagnosis
• cultural, religious and spiritual differences in relation to death and dying
• impact of unconscious bias when providing care
• the stages of grief and personal strategies for managing reactions to grief
• role and purpose of advance care directives
• end-of-life care strategies
• pain relief and comfort promotion
• process to seek clarification and guidance from health professional regarding pain relief and comfort provision
• psychological and emotional impact on the person, their family, carer and others during palliative or end of life care
• nutritional and hydration requirements when using a palliative approach
• legal and ethical considerations for working in palliative care:

• dignity of risk
• duty of care
• human rights
• privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
• work role boundaries, responsibilities and limitations
• State/Territory legislation relating to Voluntary Assisted Dying

• organisational policies and procedures for providing care using a palliative approach and provision of palliative care
• processes for managing own emotional responses including self-care strategies
• various signs of imminent death and deterioration
• processes for care of the deceased person’s body, including:

• the person’s preferences:

  cultural
  spiritual and religious

• infection control
• support for the family and others
• handling of personal effects and belongings
• awareness of State/Territory medico-legal requirements and processes
• documentation requirements

• communication strategies to build trust, show empathy, demonstrate support and empower the person, their family, carer and others.