Demonstrate knowledge of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a community field work setting

20967 version 2

Page of

Demonstrate knowledge of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a community field work setting

Level	4
Credits	4

Purpose This unit standard is intended for people involved in, or planning to become involved in, community field work. Community field workers provide education, support, information, and advocacy in a health or disability setting in a consumer’s own home, a residential facility, and the community. Community field workers work with a high degree of autonomy and are responsible for making independent decisions in remote situations.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: define MS; describe possible causes of MS and the symptoms frequently associated with MS; and demonstrate knowledge of support and advocacy services for a person with MS and their care partner(s) and family/whānau.

Subfield	Community Support
Domain	Community Field Work
Status	Registered
Status date	20 May 2008
Date version published	20 May 2008
Planned review date	31 December 2013
Entry information	Open.
Accreditation	Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)	Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation Limited
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference		0024

This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
The primary references for this unit standard are:

White, Health Professional’s Handbook (New Zealand, MS Society, 2000); Graham, J, Multiple Sclerosis – A Self-Help Guide to its Management (London, Thorsons, 1998); Jelinek, G, Taking Control of Multiple Sclerosis: Natural and Medical Therapies to Prevent its Progression (South Melbourne, Hyland House, 2000); What is MS – a patient guide for learning about MS and its management (Biogen Australia Pty Ltd, 2002).

Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Define MS.
Performance criteria
1.1 MS is defined in terms of its pathology.
1.2 MS is defined in terms of the functional effects of the tissue damage in the central nervous system.
1.3 Types of MS are defined in terms of their clinical course and pathology.
Range relapsing remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, primary progressive MS, progressive relapsing MS, benign MS.
Element 2
Describe possible causes of MS.
Performance criteria
2.1 A possible cause is described in terms of the interaction between environmental and genetic factors.
2.2 A possible cause is described in terms of the influence of viral infections and the concept of autoimmune disease.
Element 3
Describe symptoms frequently associated with MS.
Performance criteria
3.1 Presenting symptoms are described in accordance with their defining characteristics and in accordance with the primary references.
Range vision disturbances, loss of muscle strength, altered sensation, pain, impaired balance and co-ordination, muscle spasms, fatigue, bladder and bowel problems, altered sexual function, memory loss, mood changes.
3.2 Possible factors that exacerbate the effects of MS are described in terms of triggers and effects.
Range may include but is not limited to – hot or cold intolerance, intercurrent infections, psychological factors.
Element 4
Demonstrate knowledge of support and advocacy services for a person with MS and their care partner(s) and family/whānau.
Performance criteria
4.1 Interventions that are used to alleviate the symptoms of MS are described in terms of their accessibility, effects, and contra-indications.
4.2 Support needs for a person with MS are described for any three symptoms in terms of accessibility and resource availability in the community.
Range pharmacological, non-pharmacological.
4.3 Support needs of the care partner(s) and family/whānau of the person with MS are described in terms of accessibility and resource availability in the community.
4.4 An agency that advocates on behalf of the person with MS, their care partner(s) and the family/whānau is described in terms of the services it provides and their availability.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation Limited [e-mail] if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

Ó New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018