Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement provides details of the scope of the Elements and Performance Criteria to allow for differences within enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. It also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The Range Statement is provided as a guide only and lists are not exhaustive. The following variables may be present:

Infection and contamination control practices may include:
checking for infectious/transmittable disease
using personal protective equipment
sterilising apparatus/instruments
providing sterile storage areas for instruments
use of disinfectants
safe removal and disposal of soiled/contaminated garments
safe ventilation
avoiding invasive procedures on bodies
immunisation
periodic X-rays
seeking medical advice
recording injury and incidence
reporting injury and incidence
providing first aid kit
performing first aid as necessary
labeling clothing.

Personal protective equipment may include:
disposable gloves
heavy duty gloves
protective overgarments
overshoes
waterproof aprons
masks and goggles
suiting to protect against radiation.

OHS procedures are to be in accordance with State/Territory legislation and regulations and may include:
workplace environment and safety
personal protective equipment
manual handling procedures
use of tools and equipment
materials handling procedures including for hazardous or infectious materials.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:
standard operating policies and procedures
standards and certification requirements
quality assurance procedures
OHS procedures
emergency, fire and accident procedures.

Cleaning chemicals and equipment may include:
buckets
mops and brushes
soap
sterilisation equipment (autoclave)
sterilisation solutions (hypochlorite disinfectant)
disinfectant hand solution
paper towels.

Sanitising may include:
sterilising in some situations
soaking
disinfecting.

OHS issues may include:
toxic gases
cancer producing agents
blood borne viruses
droplet infections
bacterial infections
sharps
aerosol exposure from lungs of body
radioactivity.

Materials and infectious waste may include:
body parts
human tissue
human blood and body fluid
materials and equipment containing human blood and body fluid
contaminated garments
soiled dressings, sharps, swabs, catheters, bandages.

Disposal may include:
burial
flushing
burning
storing.

Transport may include:
bins
trolley
manual.

Applicable legislation and regulations may be Federal, State specific or Local Government specific and may include:
Workplace/Occupational Health and Safety Act
Coroner's Act
Federal Transportation Regulations/Airlines Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages Act
Dangerous Goods Act
Local Government Acts
Funeral Industry Code of Practice
Relevant cemetery acts/bylaws
General cemetery regulations
Cemeteries Act
Crematorium Act
Worksafe Australia Certification and Standards.

The following components relate directly to this unit's Performance Criteria and Range Statement and will inform and provide guidance for assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program.
Critical Aspects of Evidence

Evidence of the following knowledge and skills is considered essential to demonstrate competency in this unit. This includes demonstration of the Key Competencies at the performance level identified at the end of this unit:

Correct and consistent maintenance of personal hygiene procedures.
Correct use of personal protective equipment.
Implementation of and adherence to infection and contamination control practices.
Correct and consistent cleaning and sanitising of equipment and surfaces in accordance with workplace policies and procedures.
Correct and consistent handling and of deceased persons or materials which have come into contact with deceased persons in accordance with infection and contamination control practices, OHS procedures and workplace policies and procedures.
Correct and consistent disposal of materials which have come into contact with deceased persons in accordance with infection and contamination control practices, OHS procedures and workplace policies and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to identify and act on hazards and spillages in accordance with workplace policies and procedures.

Underpinning Knowledge and Skills

The following knowledge, understanding and skills are essential to perform this unit to the required standard:

Knowledge of manual handling techniques, chemical handling techniques, first aid, OHS and infection and contamination control practices.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant Federal, State/Territory and Local Government legislation and regulations.
Ability to identify risk situations.

Verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including:

ability to receive instructions
the ability to communicate honestly and truthfully with professional openness.

Literacy and numeracy skills, including:

ability to access relevant legislation and regulations
ability to interpret and understand written legislation and regulations
computer literacy.
Knowledge of workplace policies and procedures.
Personal integrity and accountability.

Context of Assessment
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include an experienced person at the workplace.
Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment through a range of situations which may include interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the work environment.
Assessment should be undertaken in an environment that meets industry codes of practice and relevant industry regulations and legislation.

Interdependent Assessment of Unit
All units which relate to a job function can be considered as co-requisites to assist with an integrated approach to assessment.
For advice on integrated assessment of units within and across qualifications, refer to the Assessment Guidelines.

Assessment Methods

Observation of staff member performing a range of workplace tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate the handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include but are not limited to:

identifying procedures relevant to maintaining personal hygiene
identifying processes relevant to identifying and acting on hazards and spillage
demonstrating ability to clean and sanitise equipment and surfaces
demonstrating empathy, confidentiality and tact in relation to providing quality customer service in the Funeral Services Industry.
Written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding with regard to disposal of infectious material. Questions will be asked in a manner appropriate to the language and literacy level of the staff member.
Completing workplace documentation relevant to workplace requirements.

Assessment Resources
All resources must be provided for the assessment. If workplace based, the resources should relate specifically to policies, procedures and range of tools and equipment. If an off-the-job or simulated work environment is used then resources should be applicable to the work environment.

Resources may include:

A real or simulated work environment.

Relevant documentation such as:

workplace policies and procedures
documentation as identified in the Range Statement.
Industry codes of practice and relevant legislation and regulations.
Access to a range of clients with a range of requirements (real or simulated).
Access to a range of tools and equipment.
A qualified workplace assessor and/or a technical expert working in partnership with the assessor.

There are a number of processes that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies. Key competencies are generic competencies that focus on the capacity to apply knowledge and skills in an integrated way in work situations, but are not specific to any particular industry. Key competencies foster the development of skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to perform work operations. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 1 = the competence needed to undertake tasks effectively, 2 = the ability to manage tasks, and 3 = the ability to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Communicating ideas and information
By communicating with colleagues ideas and information about hygiene, infection and contamination control, handling and disposal practices, and hazard and spillage procedures. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By collecting information about hygiene, infection and contamination control, handling and disposal practices, and hazard and spillage procedures and collating it in a useable format. (1)

Planning and organising activities
By organising the work requirements and planning the required tasks associated with sound infection and contamination control practice, in conjunction with other assigned activities, such that the task is undertaken in a realistic time frame. (1)

Working with others and in teams
By interacting with colleagues to support and enhance the organisation's infection and contamination control practices. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By measuring and preparing cleaning chemicals. (1)

Solving problems
By identifying issues associated with hygiene, infection and contamination control, handling and disposal practices, and hazard and spillage procedures, which are not within defined guidelines, resolving those which are routine and involving colleagues where they are not. (1)

Using technology
By utilising technology in developing a knowledge of infection and contamination control practices and in communicating with colleagues. (1)