Course Title: Deliver care services using a palliative approach
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: NURS5437C
Course Title: Deliver care services using a palliative approach
Important Information:
This course is delivered and assessed in a cluster with;
CHCAGE011 - Provide support to people living with dementia
CHCAGE013 - Work effectively in aged care
School: 535T Social Care and Health
Campus: City Campus
Program: C3416 - Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
Course Contact: Manu Atwal
Course Contact Phone: +61399257932
Course Contact Email: manpreet.atwal@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 70
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
None
Course Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide care for people with life-limiting illness and those within the normal ageing process using a palliative approach, as well as end-of-life care.
This unit applies to workers in a residential or community context. Work performed requires some discretion and judgement and is carried out under regular direct, indirect or remote supervision.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCPAL003 Deliver care services using a palliative approach |
Element: |
1. Apply principles and aims of a palliative approach when supporting people. |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1. Recognise the holistic needs of the person extending over time, not just end-of-life. 1.2. Support the person, their family, carer and others identified by the person to express needs and preferences and report information to supervisor. 1.3. Communicate with the person, their family, carer and others identified by the person in relation to the person's quality-of-life, pain and comfort and report information to supervisor. 1.4. Adjust communication techniques to meet the individual needs of the person and their family, carer and others identified by the person. 1.5. Respect the family, carer and others identified by the person as an integral part of the care team and ensure that they have the information and support needed. |
Element: |
2. Respect the person's preferences for quality-of-life choices. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Create a supportive environment that encourages the person, their family, carer and others identified by the person to share information regarding changing needs and preferences. 2.2. Respect the person's individuality, values and beliefs in the context of support provision. 2.3. Recognise needs and issues outside the scope of own job role and refer to supervisor. 2.4. Communicate with the person, their family, carer or others identified by the person in a manner that shows empathy and provides emotional support. |
Element: |
3. Follow the person's advance care directives in the individualised plan. |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1. Interpret and follow advance care directives in the individualised plan in accordance with own job role and organisational, legal and ethical requirements. 3.2. Comply with end-of-life decisions as documented in the individualised plan and in accordance with legal requirements. 3.3. Report the person's changing needs and issues in relation to end-of-life for documentation in the individualised plan according to organisational policies and procedures. 3.4. Monitor the impact of the person's end-of-life needs, issues and decisions on their family, carer and others and refer to appropriate member of the care team for support according to organisational policies and procedures. 3.5. Deliver services in a manner that supports the person's right to choose the location of their end-of-life care. |
Element: |
4. Respond to signs of pain and other symptoms. |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1. Observe and document the person's pain and other symptoms in line with individualised plan and report to appropriate member of the care team. 4.2. Implement strategies to manage pain and promote comfort in line with individualised plan and within scope of own job role. 4.3. Document effectiveness of pain management strategies. 4.4. Recognise and report concerns in the workplace surrounding the use of pain-relieving medication. |
Element: |
5. Follow end-of-life care strategies |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1. Regularly check for any changes on individualised plan that indicate decisions made by the person have been reviewed. 5.2. Provide a supportive environment to the person, their family, carer, others identified by the person and others involved in end-of-life care. 5.3. Respect and support the person's preferences and culture when providing end-of-life care according to individualised plan and within scope of own job role. 5.4. Maintain dignity of the person when providing planned end-of-life care and care immediately following death. 5.5. Recognise any signs of the person's deterioration or imminent death and dying and report to appropriate member of care team, according to organisational policies and procedures. 5.6. Provide emotional support to the family, carer and others when a death has occurred, within scope of own job role. |
Element: |
6. Manage own emotional responses and ethical issues. |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1. Follow organisational policies and procedures to manage own emotional responses and ethical issues. 6.2. Identify and reflect on own emotional responses to death and dying and raise and discuss any issues or reactions with supervisor or other appropriate person. 6.3. Raise any ethical issues or concerns with supervisor or other appropriate person. 6.4. Determine and action self-care strategies to address the potential impact of personal responses on self. 6.5. Access bereavement care and support of other team members as needed. |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have the skills and knowledge required to provide care for people with life-limiting illness and those within the normal ageing process using a palliative approach, as well as end-of-life care.
Details of Learning Activities
Your learning experience will involve class based teaching, demonstration and practical exercises. It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. Sessions involve the following:
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- peer learning
- group discussion
- practical placement
- practical demonstrations on campus
- Online learning activities & group discussions
In this course your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a workplace context. As part of this course you are required to undertake [number] hours of supervised learning/assessment in your chosen industry area, gaining invaluable experience and industry contacts.
- There is one workplace Assessments in this course
Work placement will be a three week block requiring the student to complete 120 hours
Non academic requirements include the completion of WIL agreements, schedules and relevant insurance documentation before commencement of the WIL activity
Immunizations, visas, police checks, and NDIS checks as per industry requirements will also need to be completed.
Teaching Schedule
Week |
Topic |
Assessment/ Learning activities |
|
Week 10
|
1. Meeting job requirements while working within an organisation |
Module page: Recording, maintaining and storing workplace information. Activity: Secure documentation |
| Week 10 | 2. Work within an aged care context |
Module page: Referring situations to supervisor or health professional. Complete the activity on page. |
| Week 10 | 3. Providing support to and communicating with people living with dementia |
Module page: Individualised plans. Activity: Leo's individualised plan |
| Week 11 |
3. Providing support to and communicating with people living with dementia 4. Supporting the person with dementia to participate in activities |
Module page: The progression and impact of dementia. Activity: Impact of dementia |
| Week 11 | 4. Supporting the person with dementia to participate in activities |
Assessment Task 3 |
| Week 11 | 5. Working with a palliative care approach |
Module page: Creating a supportive environment. Activity: Engaging with Leo. |
| Week 12 | 6. Pain management and advanced care directives |
Module page: Pain management strategies. Complete the activity. |
| Week 12 | 7. Caring for self when working in aged care |
Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Questions |
| Week 15 |
|
Assessment Task 4 |
| Week 17 |
|
Assessment Task 2 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
he University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The learning Lab
www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops
Overview of Assessment
This unit of competency is delivered and assessed with the following units of competency:
CHCAGE011 - Provide support to people living with dementia
CHCAGE013 - Work effectively in aged care
There will be three forms of assessment including knowledge quizzes, simulated assessments and practical assessments undertaken in the work place.
Students are given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment task 1 - Part A - Knowledge Quiz
Assessment task 1 Part B - Knowledge Quiz
Assessment task 1 Part C - Knowledge Quiz
Assessment task 2 Part A - Knowledge Quiz
Assessment task 2 Part A - Knowledge Quiz
Assessment task 2 Part C - Knowledge Quiz
Assessment task 3A - Provide support for people with Dementia - Practical Simulation
Assessment task 3C - Practical Simulation
Assessment task 4 - Workplace observation
Assessment Matrix
Matrix This refers to the assessment mapping against each unit of competency addressed by this course. Explain what the assessment matrix is and where a student can find it if they need it. Eg. The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.
Other Information
Attendance: Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. If you miss an assessment or assessable practical class you need to provide a medical certificate (or other evidence) to the course coordinator/teacher. Students enrolled in this program are required to attend at least 80% of their scheduled classes to ensure successful completion. The program includes two on-campus classes and one online class each week, providing a balanced blend of in-person and virtual learning experiences..
If you miss a practical class that is a prac report write-up you need to arrange an alternative report with your teacher. Information about your studies: You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students Extensions of time for submission of assessable work: If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension on Canvas through the assessment extension tool of up to seven (7) calendar.
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Special consideration: If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g. test, examination, oral, etc.), you may submit an application for special consideration within 5 working days of the due date. If special consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application please visit www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration or speak to your Program Coordinator. Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences. Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview