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.

Information on workplace infection and contamination control practices may include:
standard and additional precautions
workplace policies and guidelines
AFDA infection control guidelines
relevant Australian Standards
Federal, State/Territory and Local Government guidelines or ordinances
Coroner's Act
Human Tissue Act
Workplace/Occupational Health and Safety Act
Federal Transportation Regulations/Airlines Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
Dangerous Goods Act
Funeral Industry Code of Practice
Relevant cemetery acts/bylaws
General cemetery regulations
Cemeteries Act
Crematorium Act
Worksafe Australia Certification and Standards.

Personal hygiene infection control practices may include:
maintenance of work clothes cleanliness
hand washing
use of personal protective equipment
participation in workplace health programs

Potentially infectious or contaminated 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.

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:

Clear and accurate verbal explanation of workplace infection and contamination control practices to staff and provision of written documentation that is stored in a readily accessible location and format.
Implementation and monitoring of infection and contamination control practices relating to personal hygiene and the cleaning and sanitation of equipment and surfaces in a manner which achieves staff compliance.
Implementation and monitoring of infection and contamination control practices relating to handling deceased persons in a manner which achieves staff compliance.
Implementation and monitoring of practices for removing potentially infectious or contaminated materials and infectious waste in a manner which achieves staff compliance.
Implementation and monitoring of practices for handling hazards and spillage in a manner which achieves staff compliance.
Demonstration of the ability to identify and investigate infection or contamination control non-compliance and implement solutions following workplace consultation and review processes.

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.
Ability to identify risk situations.

Verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including:

ability to give instructions
listening skills
ability to coach and provide feedback
negotiation and assertiveness skills
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.
Ability to participate in the development of policies and procedures.
Knowledge of and understanding and respect for social, religious and cultural differences and traditions.
Ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities.
Staff coordination and supervision skills.
Ability to recognise professional parameters.
Planning skills, organisational skills.
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:

demonstrating ability to access and provide information related to infection and contamination control practices
identifying procedures for implementing and monitoring infection and contamination control practices.
Written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding with regard to identifying and investigating infection control non-compliance and the implementation of solutions. Questions will be asked in a manner appropriate to the language and literacy level of the staff member.
Participation in role plays related to addressing non-compliance with infection and contamination control practices.
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 = 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 providing guidance, advice and leadership in establishing infection and contamination control practices and implementing and evaluating compliance. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By identifying information sources relevant to infection and contamination control practices, gathering organisation and staff related information, selecting and collating this data in a suitable format and applying it to the development, implementation and evaluation of procedures and practices. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By developing, implementing and evaluating programmes for the organisation to establish sound infection and contamination control practices. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By defining team objectives, formulating and evaluating team goals and monitoring and remedying team performance in implementing the organisation's infection and contamination control practices. (3)

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

Solving problems
By anticipating and planning for problems, evaluating outcomes and processes and solving complex issues in the implementation of infection and contamination control practices. (3)

Using technology
By using technology to access and provide information about infection and contamination control practices. (1)