Assessment, practice scope and clinical governance
- Competency assessment tool
- Scope of practice
- Practice plan
- Clinical governance guidelines
- Tools and resources
- Contact us
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner working in Queensland Hospital and Health Services or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services must have an agreed Practice plan defining the individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner’s scope of practice.
The following documents should be used to establish clinical governance, determine individual scope of practice and guide clinical practice for the role.
Competency assessment tool
Employers have a duty to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are competent to undertake the tasks and responsibilities of the position. A clinical skills assessment should be conducted based on the specific role requirements to establish the individual scope of practice which will be defined in the Practice plan.
A Competency assessment tool (PDF, 1.81MB) has been developed to assist in assessing core clinical competencies for the individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner. Results from the clinical assessment may also be used to develop an individual professional development plan and influence continuing professional development activity.
Refer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Scope of practice guideline (PDF, 1.30MB), the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Clinical governance guideline (PDF, 999KB), and the Practice plan (PDF, 361KB) for more information.
Scope of practice
A Scope of practice guideline (PDF, 1.30MB) is available to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners and their supervisors to better understand:
- the role and the differences between primary health worker roles, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Isolated Practice Authorisation (IPA), and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner
- the decision-making process for developing an individual scope of practice
- and the type of supervision required to support practice.
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner’s scope of practice is focussed on clinical activity, including patient assessments, diagnosis, and treatment. There may also be some additional non-clinical activity requirements such as education, depending on the requirements outlined in the job description.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners in Queensland will practice according to recognised quality standards, including the Primary clinical care manual and the Chronic conditions manual.
Refer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner scope of practice guideline (PDF, 1.30MB), and the Summary: individual scope of practice fact sheet (PDF, 217KB) for more information.
Practice plan
The Practice plan (PDF, 361KB) is an important element in defining individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner’s scope of practice and is recommended for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners in Queensland. Completing the Practice plan in an approved form is a mandatory requirement for the lawful use of scheduled medicines under the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines Regulation 2021 and in accordance with the Extended Practice Authority 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner' (PDF, 346KB)
The Practice plan describes individual clinical supervision and consultation arrangements, referrals, the circumstances to use scheduled medicines (if relevant), and any restrictions of practice. It is to be completed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner and the primary clinical supervisor, and approved by the nominated organisational delegate.
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner student is not required to have an individual Practice plan.
For more information refer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Practice plan guide (PDF, 931KB), the Practice plan (PDF, 361KB) and the summary fact sheet (PDF, 219KB).
Clinical governance guidelines
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Clinical governance guideline (PDF, 999KB) (the Guideline) is a standardised framework which supports safe and quality clinical practice. It guides best practice for the clinical governance arrangements and provides recommendations regarding the systems for managing, maintaining and improving patient safety and quality care.
The document will be used by Queensland Hospital and Health Services and can be adopted or adapted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services and other health organisations.
The Guideline describes elements of pre-employment, onboarding processes, clinical practice and monitoring and review. This includes:
- screening
- defining scope of practice in the Practice plan
- professional indemnity
- professional and clinical supervision
- handover
- use of scheduled medicines
- ongoing monitoring and development including continuing professional development
- supervision of students.
For more information refer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Clinical governance guideline (PDF, 999KB), and the supporting summary fact sheets: Clinical and operational supervision (PDF, 207KB), and Referral and handover (PDF, 142KB).
Tools and resources
Key resources
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Competency assessment tool (PDF, 1.81MB)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Scope of practice guideline (PDF, 1.30MB)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Practice plan form (PDF, 361KB)
- Guide to completing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner practice plan (PDF, 931KB)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Clinical governance guideline (PDF, 999KB)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Self-reflection tool (PDF, 1MB)
Factsheets
- Course information - Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice (PDF, 258KB)
- Summary: individual scope of practice (PDF, 217KB)
- Summary: practice plan form (PDF, 219KB)
- Referral and handover (PDF, 142KB)
- Clinical and operational supervision (PDF, 207KB)
- Professional and cultural support (PDF, 195KB)
- Continuing professional development (PDF, 256KB)
Links to legislation, regulation and protocol
Contact us
For more information about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner workforce, email ATSIHP@health.qld.gov.au.
