Course Title: Provide support in dysphagia management

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2011

Course Code: OHTH5125C

Course Title: Provide support in dysphagia management

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4215 - Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance

Course Contact: Veemita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4662

Course Contact Email: veemita.kaul@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Heather King

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Pre-requisite courses are:
• HLTAH301A Assist with an allied health program
• HLTAH410A Support the development of speech and communication skills

Course Description

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to assist a speech pathologist to support clients participating in therapy programs to improve swallowing and/or maintain independence in the management of dysphagia.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

HLTAH411A Provide support in dysphagia management

Element:

Deliver therapeutic program under supervision of a speech pathologist

Performance Criteria:

Obtain informed consent from the individual client, or a third party where the individual is not in a position to provide this consent independently, before commencing the program
Confirm client/carer’s understanding of requirements of the therapeutic program
Provide mealtime assistance to client, under instruction of speech pathologist, including the reinforcement of positioning and strategies to support safe swallowing and maximum level of independence of eating and drinking
Prepare texture modified foods and fluids, as determined by speech pathologist, for assessment purposes and for mealtimes for purposes of checking correctness of modified foods and fluids
Provide the client with relevant information and advice, as instructed by the speech pathologist, at a level and pace appropriate to the client’s level of understanding, culture and background, preferred way of communication and need
Refer questions outside scope of role and responsibilities as defined by the organisation to speech pathologist and/or relevant member of care team
Provide client with sufficient time, opportunity and encouragement to practise existing and newly developed skills
Provide set up and support of the client during videofloroscopy assessment of swallowing, performed by speech pathologist
Carry out supplementary treatment programs
(e.g. oro-motor exercises), as instructed by the speech pathologist
Identify adverse reactions/events associated with dysphagia and respond according to the detailed risk management framework

Element:

Document client information

Performance Criteria:

Use accepted protocols to document information relating to the treatment program in line with organisation requirements
Provide accurate and prompt feedback to the speech pathologist and client’s care team to support future planning
Use appropriate terminology to document symptomatic expression of identified problems related to the therapeutic exercise program

Element:

Monitor client’s management of dysphagia in consultation with speech pathologist and care team

Performance Criteria:

Work with the speech pathologist, care team and the individual to identify and record areas of positive progress and success and specific difficulties arising
Reinforce constructive feedback and advice provided by the care team about the client’s approach and ability to manage their dysphagia
Support and encourage client to maintain and enhance their efforts to manage dysphagia
Reinforce the benefits of continuing to practice and develop skills and knowledge for dysphagia management
Identify adverse reactions/events associated with dysphagia and respond according to the detailed risk management framework
Refer to speech pathologist when additional input from health professional is required

Element:

Prepare for support of treatment and monitoring programs to promote safe swallowing and eating

Performance Criteria:

Obtain information about requirements from the speech pathologist
Determine need for interpreter where the client has English as a second language
Confer with speech pathologist about any ambiguities or requirements outside scope of role and responsibilities as defined by the organisation


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

The learning activities include-
• Face to face teaching
• Case studies
• Class room activities and practical work
• Reflections and discussions
• Accessing information online

The details of the class schedule on weekly basis is available on the time table that has been provided to students and is also available on RMIT Learning hub.


Teaching Schedule

There will be face to face teaching and practical activities for this course and the details of the class date and time will be in the timetable provided to the students. Timetable can also be accessed online in the learning hub.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There is no prescribed text for this course as comprehensive course material will be provided by the teacher through RMIT Learning Hub.


References

Online learning materials can be accessed using the RMIT Online Learning Hub.
The online learning materials listed include:

Subject outlines
Lecture notes
Case studies
Assessment details
Practical work details


Other Resources

The students can access library for more resources like-
• Videos
• Articles of interest
• useful external links
• Learning Lab


Overview of Assessment

The assessment will involve practical assessment in simulated environment and
observation in the clinical placements with questioning to address appropriate application of knowledge.


Assessment Tasks

The assessment tasks will include a range of activities and assessments to assess the student for the learning outcomes for the course.
The assessment tasks will include-
Written assessment
Practical assessment
Clinical placement assessment

The details of the assessments will be provided to the students by the teacher through the RMIT Learning Hub.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

This course will be delivered and assessed with-

OHTH 5119C- Support the development of speech and communication skills

Course Overview: Access Course Overview