Inherent requirements for Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health (Karitane)

These inherent requirements apply to the following course:

• Graduate Certificate in Child & Family Health (Karitane) - course code 4715

Introduction

Western Sydney University and the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SoNM) strongly supports the right of all people who wish to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health (Karitane).

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit, while preserving the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. The inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge and skills needed to complete the course that must be met by all students.

Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements.

The School is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional practice and other activities to enable students to participate in their course. Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

Students are expected to undertake 120 hours of clinical practice experience. This clinical practice requires students to undertake activities which reflect the Australian health care context, which may include mixed gender, religious and culturally diverse environments. For further information contact your Director of Academic Program.

Students in these courses are registered nurses or registered midwives and are governed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) professional standards, which is a partner board of the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) (opens in a new window).

To support potential and current students’ decision making, a series of inherent requirement statements have been developed. These statements specify the course requirements of the Graduate Certificate in Child & Family Health (Karitane) for student admission and progression. The statements are clustered under 8 domains consisting of ethical behaviour, behavioural stability, legal, communication, cognition, sensory abilities, strength and mobility, and sustainable performance.

The inherent requirements outlined below provide a guide to inform decision making for students and staff.

How to read the inherent requirement statements

If you are intending to enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Child & Family Health (Karitane) course in the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SoNM), you should look at these inherent requirement statements and think about whether you may experience challenges in meeting these requirements.

If you think you may experience challenges for any reason including a disability or chronic health condition, you should discuss your concerns with the SoNM staff, such as the Director of Academic Program, Academic Course Advisor, School Disability Coordinator or campus Disability Advisor. These staff can work collaboratively with you to determine reasonable adjustments to assist you to meet the inherent requirements. In the case where it is determined that inherent requirements cannot be met with reasonable adjustments, the University staff can provide guidance regarding other study options.

These inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other course information and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Professional standards of practice for nurses and midwives (opens in a new window).

The inherent requirements are made up of the following five components:

• Level 1 - introduction to the inherent requirement
• Level 2 - description of the inherent requirement
• Level 3 - explanation of why this is an inherent requirement of the course
• Level 4 - the nature of any adjustments that may be made to allow you to meet the requirement
• Level 5 - examples of tasks you must be able to do to show you’ve met the requirement. The exemplars provided are not intended as an exhaustive list.

Inherent requirement statements

There are 8 domains of inherent requirements in the Graduate Certificate in Child & Family Health (Karitane). Some domains have a number of sub-domains.

Ethical behaviour

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Child and family health is a profession governed by competency standards, codes of ethics, professional conduct and professional boundaries (opens in a new window) where nurses and midwives are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts.
2	Student demonstrates knowledge of, and engages in ethical behaviour in practice.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Compliance with the standards, codes, guidelines and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the children and adults with whom they engage. This supports the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of all
4	Adjustments must ensure the standards, codes, guidelines and policies are not compromised or result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrating appropriate behaviour with confidential information in workshops and clinical settings » Demonstrating ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour

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Behavioural stability

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in this role.
2	Student demonstrates behavioural stability to work constructively in diverse and changing academic and clinical settings.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in changing and unpredictable settings. Child and family health students will be exposed to complex situations and vulnerable persons. Students will be required to have behavioural stability to manage these situations
4	Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in both academic and clinical settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback » Coping with own emotions & behaviour effectively when dealing with children and families in the clinical setting

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Legal

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Child and family health practice is mandated by legislation (opens in a new window) to enable the safe delivery of care.
2	Student demonstrates knowledge and compliance with Australian Law, professional regulations and scope of practice.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Knowledge, understanding, and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to clinical placements in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others » Compliance with these professional regulations and the Australian Law ensures that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice
4	Adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Complying with the requirement for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) » Complying with relevant child protection and safety legislation

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Communication

This course requires effective, verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.

Verbal

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Effective verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement to provide safe delivery of care.
2	Student demonstrates: » Sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences » Ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner » Ability to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation » Timely clear feedback and reporting
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships » Communication may be restricted to verbal because of physical limitations of the individual (e.g. injury, disease or congenital conditions) » Speed and interactivity of communication may be critical for individual safety or treatment » Timely, accurate and effective delivery of instructions is critical to individual safety, assessment and management
4	Adjustments must meet the necessary standards of functional effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy to ensure safe and appropriate care. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Conveying spoken messages accurately and effectively in workshops and clinical discussions » Understanding verbal communication and responding accurately and appropriately to a parents' concern in the clinical setting

Non-verbal

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to child and family health practice and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathetic and non-judgmental.
2	Student demonstrates: » Capacity to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues » Consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviours » Sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport with people and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships » Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries and body movements and gestures promotes trust in academic and professional relationships » Being sensitive to individual and/or cultural differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships » The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues is essential for the safe and effective observation of client symptoms and reactions to facilitate the assessment and management of clients
4	Adjustments must enable the recognition, appropriate response or initiation of effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Recognising and responding appropriately to cues in facial expressions, behaviour responses and movement in the workshop setting » Using appropriate non-verbal behaviour when responding to a distressed child and/or parent in the clinical setting

Written

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Effective written communication, in English, is a fundamental child and family health professional’s responsibility with professional and legal ramifications.
2	Student demonstrates the capacity to construct coherent written communication appropriate to the circumstances.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Construction of written text based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter, procedures and professional practice » Accurate written communication, including record-keeping and client notes, is vital to provide consistent and safe care to children and their families
4	Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in both academic and clinical settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrating the ability to communicate both complex academic and clinical perspectives in written tasks » Ability to construct client progress reports and care plans that meet professional standards

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Cognition

This course requires knowledge of theory and the skills of cognition, literacy (language) and numeracy.

Knowledge and cognitive skills

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Comprehensive knowledge and effective cognitive skills must be demonstrated to provide safe and competent child and family health care.
2	Student demonstrates: » Capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information » Ability to process information relevant to practice » Ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Safe and effective delivery of child and family health care is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood and applied appropriately
4	Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Ability to source, research and use appropriate evidence based knowledge in academic assessment tasks » Demonstrates the ability to assess the application of policy and procedures in the clinical setting » Demonstrates the ability to review any strategies used with children and their families and then adapt knowledge for future clinical assessments

Literacy (language)

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Competent literacy skills are essential to provide safe and effective delivery of child and family health care.
2	Student demonstrates: » Ability to acquire information and accurately convey appropriate, effective messages » Ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and information » Capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to ensure safe and effective assessment, treatment and delivery of child and family health care » The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for the safe and effective delivery of child and family health care
4	Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrates the ability to interpret written and spoken language to enact verbal instructions or to validate client care plans » Demonstrates the ability to comprehend, summarise and reference a range of literature in accordance with appropriate academic conventions » Demonstrates the ability to produce accurate, concise and clear professional health care documentation which meets legal requirements

Numeracy

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for safe and effective child and family health care.
2	Student demonstrates the ability to interpret and correctly apply data, measurements and numerical criteria.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Competent application of numeracy skills is essential to facilitate the safe and effective delivery of child and family health care
4	Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to interpret and apply concepts and processes appropriately in a timely, accurate and effective manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrates the ability to calculate and correct drug dosages within the required time restraints » Demonstrates the ability to accurately record measurements on a growth chart

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Sensory abilities

This course requires adequate visual, auditory and tactile abilities.

Visual

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Adequate visual acuity is required to provide safe and effective child and family health care.
2	Student demonstrates sufficient visual acuity to perform the required range of skills.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Sufficient visual acuity is required in both academic and clinical settings for tasks that need to be delivered by visual means » Sufficient visual acuity is necessary to demonstrate the required range of skills, tasks and assessments to maintain consistent, accurate and safe care of self and to others
4	Adjustments must demonstrate the capacity to make effective visual assessments of physical characteristics and abnormalities within safe time frames. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrates the ability to read medication labels and syringe graduations to accurately draw up and administer » Ability to observe and detect subtle changes in a child’s skin condition

Auditory

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Auditory ability is required to provide safe and effective child and family health care.
2	Student demonstrates sufficient aural function to undertake the required range of skills.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Sufficient auditory ability is required in both academic and clinical settings for tasks that need to be delivered by auditory means » Sufficient auditory ability is necessary to monitor, assess and manage child, adult and family health needs consistently and accurately » Auditory observations, examination and assessment are fundamental to safe and effective care of self and others
4	Adjustments must demonstrate the capacity to perform the full range of auditory tasks in a timely, accurate and effective manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Ability to accurately undertake a child’s chest examination by auscultation » Ability to detect and discriminate changes in a child’s cry due to illness or airway obstruction

Tactile

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Sufficient tactile ability is required to perform competent and safe child and family health care.
2	Student demonstrates adequate tactile function sufficient to undertake the required range of skills and assessments.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Sufficient tactile ability is required in both academic and clinical settings for tasks that need to be detected and measured by tactile means » Sufficient tactile ability is necessary to monitor, assess and detect a child’s physical characteristics and act on any abnormalities detected to provide thorough and effective care » Tactile assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective care of self and others » Appropriate use of touch is effective in the care of a child’s needs
4	Adjustments must have the capacity to make effective assessments of physical characteristics and abnormalities within safe time frames. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrating the ability to detect changes in bone development through palpation e.g. fontanelle abnormalities » Ability to conduct a physical assessment and detecting any anatomical or physiological abnormalities e.g. soft tissue injury

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Strength and mobility

This course requires strength and mobility involving fine and gross motor skills.

Gross motor

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Sufficient gross motor function is required to perform the required physical demands for safe and competent child and family health care.
2	Student demonstrates the ability to perform gross motor skills to function within scope of practice.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Sufficient gross motor skills are necessary to perform, coordinate and prioritise care. Tasks that involve gross motor skills include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting and bending. Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others
4	Adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others and a capacity to provide appropriate care. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrated ability to maintain balance while safely mobilising and transferring children or resources » Ability to safely retrieve and utilise stock and equipment » Ability to instigate and contribute to emergency situations

Fine motor

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Child and family health care requires manual dexterity and fine motor skills.
2	Student demonstrates the ability to use fine motor skills to provide safe effective care.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Sufficient fine motor skills are necessary to perform, coordinate and prioritise care. Tasks that involve fine motor skills include being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate various objects and individuals. Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others
4	Adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness, safety to self and others, and a capacity to provide appropriate care. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Ability to prepare and administer immunisation injections » Ability to manipulate an auroscope during the examination of the interior of a child’s ear

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Sustainable performance

	Inherent requirements statements
1	Child and family health care requires both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level.
2	Student demonstrates: » Consistent and sustained level of physical energy to complete a specific task in a timely manner and over time » Ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately » Capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period of time
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Sufficient physical and mental endurance is an essential requirement needed to perform multiple tasks in an assigned period to provide safe and effective care
4	Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5	Exemplars: » Demonstrated ability to participate and complete required tasks in workshops and practicals » Ability to provide the appropriate physical and mental resilience to assist a baby and /or families to settle a baby to sleep. » Demonstrating sustained physical and mental resilience during clinical assessments to complete the specific care requirement

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Developed from: Johnson, A., Allan,T., Phillips,K., Azzopardi,T., Dickson,C., Goldsmith,M & Hengstberger-Sims, C. (2011). Inherent Requirements of Nursing Education (IRONE), Western Sydney University School of Nursing & Midwifery and Student Equity & Disability Services