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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Conduct a patient assessment prior to a therapeutic massage treatment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262421  Conduct a patient assessment prior to a therapeutic massage treatment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Integrated Health Professions 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will enable learners to conduct health assessments of patients before, during and after therapeutic massage treatments.

Learners credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Collect patient data in a sensitive manner.
  • Select appropriate treatment options.
  • Evaluate patient response to treatments. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Collect patient data in a sensitive manner. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose and functions of data gathering methods are explained in terms of data accuracy, integrity and acquiring informed consent and the implications of inaccurate recording are described with reference to the health status of the patient. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Patient information includes:
  • Medical history, identified body dysfunctions, special tests.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An in-depth assessment interview is conducted utilising effective communication and observation skills, and relevant information is identified, categorised and suitably recorded. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Communication skills include:
  • Interviewing skills, effective questioning techniques.

    Recording methods include:
  • Consultation form and follow-up reporting; accurate use of accepted standard medical abbreviations, clear and concise recording.

    Records include:
  • Patient personal profile, patient health profile, expectations of the patient.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Non-verbal communication is observed and interpreted in the interests of obtaining accurate assessment data. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Non-verbal communication includes:
  • Appearance, body language, demeanour, voice characteristics and postural stance.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Any area dysfunction in the body is identified, evaluated and recorded in terms of selection of treatment options. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Physical characteristics of the identified treatment area are evaluated against normal values and recorded and analysed to select treatment options. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Characteristics of treatment area:
  • Visual observations, tactile indicators, odour indicators, dysfunctions of structure, possible infections.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The client is made to feel at ease in an environment conducive to relaxation and through non-judgemental, culturally sensitive and supportive behaviour when gathering information. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Environment includes:
  • Reduced noise, soft lighting, comfortable seating.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Select and discuss appropriate treatment options with the patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Data collected is interpreted, treatment options selected and communicated to the patient and include estimated treatment time, costs and expected results according to accepted procedures, confidentiality and integrity requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Options for alternative courses of action are prepared for discussion with the patient in terms of achieving full patient cooperation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Alternative actions include treatment options, referral requirements, first aid interventions and delayed treatment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The need for patient referral to an appropriate medical practitioner is stated where data indicate specific requirements outside the scope of the practitioner. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Client response to treatments during and after treatment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    New information identified during ongoing assessment performed during the treatment delivery, is recorded, analysed against current treatment and changes required are discussed with the patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Patient feedback received during or after treatment is analysed and referenced to initial diagnosis for continuation or modification of treatment delivery. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Assessment outcomes are recorded, used for follow-up visits, updated and stored securely to ensure patient confidentiality. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Historical origin of massage therapy.
  • Principles of massage therapy a holistic treatment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems and making decisions using critical and creative thinking are demonstrated by the learner's ability to assist the patient in identifying the best treatment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community is demonstrated by the learner's ability to refer the patient to other sources treatment when necessary. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively are demonstrated by the learner's ability to create records and store them for successful retrieval. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information is demonstrated by the learner's ability to use questioning techniques, ask questions in an empathetic way and receive answers that are suitable for designing a treatment plan. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations is demonstrated by the learner's ability to communicate with the patient and fellow professionals with regard to interpreting data and providing best treatment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others is demonstrated by the learner's ability to use assessment and treatment methods to provide appropriate results. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation is demonstrated by the learner's ability to keep records that will be used at a future date to evaluate information given to patients or other health professionals as sources of referral. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65609   National Diploma: Allied Health Therapies  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30   


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.