VU21445 Locate health and medical information

Unit Code

VU21445

Unit Title

Locate health and medical information

Unit Descriptor

This unit describes the language skills and knowledge

required by learners of English as an additional language to
describe simple health matters, to read simple medical advice
and to seek assistance in a medical emergency.
The outcomes described in this unit relate to:
The ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency
Ratings) descriptors for Speaking, Listening, and Reading.
They contribute directly to the achievement of Speaking 1+,
Listening 1+, and Reading 1+
and
the Australian Core Skills Framework(ACSF). They
contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of
competence for Oral Communication and Reading at Level
1.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Application of the Unit

This unit applies to learners wishing to develop language skills

and knowledge to satisfy immediate personal needs in
communicating about and accessing information on health
and medicine.

Element

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the

essential outcomes of a unit of
competency. Elements
describe actions or outcomes
that are demonstrable and
assessable.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to

demonstrate achievement of the element they identify the
standard for the element. Where bold/italicised text is used, further
information or explanation is detailed in the required skills and
knowledge and/or the range statement. Assessment of performance
is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1 Participate in simple
conversations on a
range of health factors

1.1 Recognise a range of health conditions

1.2 Describe the symptoms associated with
common illnesses and ailments
1.3 Recognise appropriate actions to take to
manage common illnesses and injuries

2 Read information on
common household
medicines

2.1 Locate medicines commonly found in home first aid kits

2.2 Identify the information contained on labels and
their importance

VU21445 Locate health and medical information

3 Access information on
medical support in the local area

3.1 Research main types of medical support

3.2 Locate medical support in the local area

4 Identify appropriate
4.1a List a range of medical emergencies
actions in the event of
medical emergency
4.2 Access resources to determine appropriate
steps to obtain emergency assistance

Required Knowledge and Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required Linguistic Knowledge and skills:

simple terminology and expressions related to human anatomy, health, injuries and
ailments and symptoms
spoken and written (online and print) language and expressions related to accessing
health support and services e.g.
verbs e.g. imperative Take three times a day, Come back and see me in 5 days
expressions, adjectives and adverbs to describe medical conditions and treatment e.g. It hurts
here, I have a sore throat, Take daily
simple modals e.g. I cant sleep, You have to rest
some simple phrasal verbs I want to give up smoking

a limited range of simple personal singular pronouns, simple possessive adjectives e.g.
my, his / her
question forms
use simple strategies to seek clarification, repetition or explanation
to request simple information and assistance

use simple paralinguistic features e.g. body language

to interpret and convey meaning
to open and close exchanges
to acknowledge understanding

intonation of questions, statements and commands

use pronunciation, stress and intonation which is generally intelligible with high frequency
words in familiar, supportive contexts
numerical terms to describe basic measurements, quantities and time
Required Sociolinguistic and Cultural Knowledge and skills:
a range of common polite expressions e.g. Excuse me, can I make an appointment?
simple everyday colloquial expressions e.g. Can I grab your details?

Range Statement
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work
environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold / italicised wording in the
Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Health conditions may include:

common illnesses
common ailments
injuries
chronic conditions

Actions may include:

accessing basic first aid assistance

obtaining common treatments for simple ailments and
injuries
reading a thermometer

getting assistance in seeking medical attention

using own resources and supports
taking the rest of the day off
rest
drinking fluids

answering questions in an emergency relating to

location, giving directions, responding to requests for
details
following straightforward instructions, e.g., Apply
pressure, run under cold water
Medicines may include:

pain killers
anti inflammatory
antihistamine

bronco dilators
ointments
Information contained
on labels may include:

instructions - frequency and dosage

child adult information
warnings, e.g. Do not drive or operate machinery
ingredients

Research may include:

visiting local community centre / hospital

using telephone interpreter service

online and print based information

 charts and diagrams

signs and posters in the community
documentaries and other audio visual resources

 listening to experts in the community

family and friends
information from organisations e.g. St Johns
Ambulance
listening to guest speakers
Medical support may include:

medical centre

general practitioners
hospital
community health centre
pharmacy
telephone support lines
telephone interpreter service
Medical emergencies may
include:

accidents in the home

burns
road accidents
public transport accidents
drowning
severe unexplained pain
severe asthma attack

Resources may include

internet

telephone /smart phone

how to charts
brochures
bilingual information
friends, family or colleagues
emergency services personnel
Appropriate steps may

include:

 contact emergency
services by
telephone

provide clear directions and information to emergency

services

Evidence Guide
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the
Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the

Assessment section in Section B of the Accreditation Submission.

Critical aspects for

assessment and evidence
required to demonstrate
competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

use familiar conventions and apply linguistic
knowledge to:
discuss simple medical matters related to personal health
locate and identify basic labelling medical information
use resources to locate information on health services
use resources to determine appropriate actions in an
emergency

Context of and specific

resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

internet access
up to date information on emergency services in the
local area
access to EAL resources e.g.
bilingual dictionary
simple English dictionary or picture dictionary
charts, word lists

support for the learner takes into consideration the

following:
need for frequent support to interpret meaning and
understand unfamiliar cultural references
need for strong support from the context, including visual
cues to interpret meaning
extended time to read instructions
guidance e.g. with spoken and written instructions
prompting and advice

Method(s) of assessment

The following assessment methods are suitable for this

unit:
verbal questioning to confirm:
understanding of terminology
ability to follow instructions

portfolio of information on local medical

support compiled by the learner
additional verbal questioning to confirm
linguistic, sociolinguistic and cultural
knowledge