Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:41 AM AWST
22/07/2026 4:41 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Comply with infection control policies and procedures
Comply with infection control policies and procedures
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTIN301C
HLTIN301C
State Code
D8306
D8306
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/08/2014
Field of Education
061399 - Public Health, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
08/08/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for workers to comply with infection control policies and procedures. All procedures must be carried out in accordance with current infection control guidelines, Australian and New Zealand Standards for maintaining infection control and the policies and procedures of the organisationThis unit acknowledges the importance of complying with an effective infection control strategy that ensures the safety of the client (or end-user of health-related products/services), maintains personal protection and prevents the transmission of infections from person to personAll tasks must be carried out in accordance with State or Territory legislative requirements that affect work practices of the organisation and/or worker
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Follow infection control guidelines
- 1.1 Demonstrate the application of standard precautions to prevent the spread of infection in accordance with organisation requirements
- 1.2 Demonstrate the application of additional precautions when standard precautions alone may not be sufficient to prevent transmission of infection
- 1.3 Minimise contamination of materials, equipment and instruments by aerosols and splatter
2. Identify and respond to infection risks
- 2.1 Identify infection risks and implement an appropriate response within own role and responsibility
- 2.2 Document and report activities and tasks that put clients and/or other workers at risk
- 2.3 Respond appropriately to situations that pose an infection risk in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organisation
- 2.4 Follow procedures for risk control and risk containment for specific risks
- 2.5 Follow protocols for care following exposure to blood or other body fluids as required
- 2.6 Place appropriate signs when and where appropriate
- 2.7 Remove spills in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organisation
3. Maintain personal hygiene
- 3.1 Maintain hand hygiene by washing hands before and after client contact and/or after any activity likely to cause contamination
- 3.2 Follow handwashing procedures
- 3.3 Implement hand care procedures
- 3.4 Cover cuts and abrasions with water-proof dressings and change as necessary
4. Use personal protective equipment
- 4.1 Wear personal protective clothing and equipment that complies with Australian/New Zealand Standards, and is appropriate for the intended use
- 4.2 Change protective clothing and gowns/aprons daily, more frequently if soiled and where appropriate, after each client contact
5. Limit contamination
- 5.1 Demarcate and maintain clean and contaminated zones in all aspects of health care work
- 5.2 Confine records, materials and medicaments to a well-designated clean zone
- 5.3 Confine contaminated instruments and equipment to a well-designated contaminated zone
6. Handle, package, label, store, transport and dispose of clinical and other waste
- 6.1 Wear appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment in accordance with occupational health and safety policies and procedures when handling waste
- 6.2 Separate waste at the point where it has been generated and dispose of into waste containers that are colour coded and identified
- 6.3 Store clinical or related waste in an area that is accessible only to authorised persons
- 6.4 Handle, package, label, store, transport and dispose of waste appropriately to minimise potential for contact with the waste and to reduce the risk to the environment from accidental release
- 6.5 Dispose of waste safely in accordance with policies and procedures of the organisation and legislative requirements
7. Clean environmental surfaces
- 7.1 Wear personal protective clothing and equipment during cleaning procedures
- 7.2 Remove all dust, dirt and physical debris from work surfaces
- 7.3 Clean all work surfaces with a neutral detergent and warm water solution before and after each session or when visibly soiled
- 7.4 Decontaminate equipment requiring special processing in accordance with quality management systems to ensure full compliance with cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation protocols
- 7.5 Dry all work surfaces before and after use
- 7.6 Replace surface covers where applicable
- 7.7 Maintain and store cleaning equipment
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.
Standard precautions include:
Aseptic technique
Personal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands (eg. before and after client contact)
Use of personal protective equipment
Techniques to limit contamination
Surface cleaning and management of blood and body fluid spills
Safe handling of sharps
Safe disposal of sharps and other clinical waste
Appropriate reprocessing and storage of reusable instruments
Additional precautions may include:
Special ventilation requirements
Additional use of personal protective equipment
Dedicated equipment (eg. to each client or as appropriate to work function)
Use of a special facility
Minimising contamination may include but is not limited to:
Protecting materials, equipment and instruments from contamination until required for use
Ensuring instruments used for invasive procedures are sterile at time of use
Cleaning all environmental surfaces
Infection risks may include but are not limited to
Sharps injury
Waste
Discarded sharps
Human waste and human tissues
Related waste
General waste
Inhalation of aerosols
Contact with blood and other body substances
Personal contact with infectious materials, substances and/or clients
Stock including food which has passed 'use-by' dates
Animals, insects and vermin
Procedures for risk controlmay include but are not limited to:
Eliminating a hazardous process
Using personal protective equipment appropriately
Changing a system of work to reduce a hazard.
Isolating the hazard
Using protective devices to decrease exposure
Using safe handling techniques
Following infection control policies and procedures
Procedures to minimise the risk of exposure to blood and body fluids
Protocols for care following exposure to blood or other body fluids may include but are not limited to:
Immediate care following:
A sharps injury
A splash of blood or other body fluids
Post exposure care
Record keeping and notification
Legal requirements for the notification of all work related occurrences of injury, disease or illness
Hand hygiene procedures may include:
Routine handwash
Surgical handwash
Use of antiseptic wipes and alcohol based preparations in specific situations where waterless hand hygiene is acceptable
Hand care may include but is not limited to:
Suitable water-based hand creams that are registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods
Using warm water for handwashing
Drying hands thoroughly after handwashing
Wearing heavy-duty utility gloves when handling irritant chemicals
Protective clothing and equipment may include but are not limited to :
Gowns and waterproof aprons that comply with Australian/New Zealand standards
Examination gloves and surgical gloves that comply with current Australian/New Zealand standards
Glasses, goggles or face-shields
Surgical face masks that comply with current Australian/New Zealand standards
Footwear to protect from dropped sharps and other contaminated items
Guidelines for latex allergic clients and staff
Clean zone includes but is not limited to:
Storage areas for materials, medicaments, equipment
Sterile storage areas
Administration areas
Contaminated zone includes but is not limited to:
Area used for items that have become contaminated during use
Receiving area for contaminated instruments in the instrument reprocessing centre
Waste may include but is not limited to:
Clinical waste:
discarded sharps
human tissues
laboratory waste
any other waste as specified by the workplace
Related waste:
radiographic waste
chemical and amalgam waste
cytotoxic waste
pharmaceutical waste
radioactive waste
General waste
Disposal of waste requirements may include:
Disposal in accordance with:
Environment Protection (Waste Management) Policy
Environment Protection (Waste Management) Regulations
Australian and New Zealand standards
Organisation policies and procedures
Cleaning proceduresinclude but are not limited to
Damp dusting benches, equipment and shelving
Maintaining the interior of drawers and cupboards in a clean and tidy state
Cleaning floors daily using a mop and water and detergent
Storing cleaning equipment clean and dry
Managing the removal of a small blood or body fluid spill
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
Standard precautions include:
Aseptic technique
Personal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands (eg. before and after client contact)
Use of personal protective equipment
Techniques to limit contamination
Surface cleaning and management of blood and body fluid spills
Safe handling of sharps
Safe disposal of sharps and other clinical waste
Appropriate reprocessing and storage of reusable instruments
Additional precautions may include:
Special ventilation requirements
Additional use of personal protective equipment
Dedicated equipment (eg. to each client or as appropriate to work function)
Use of a special facility
Minimising contamination may include but is not limited to:
Protecting materials, equipment and instruments from contamination until required for use
Ensuring instruments used for invasive procedures are sterile at time of use
Cleaning all environmental surfaces
Infection risks may include but are not limited to
Sharps injury
Waste
Discarded sharps
Human waste and human tissues
Related waste
General waste
Inhalation of aerosols
Contact with blood and other body substances
Personal contact with infectious materials, substances and/or clients
Stock including food which has passed 'use-by' dates
Animals, insects and vermin
Procedures for risk controlmay include but are not limited to:
Eliminating a hazardous process
Using personal protective equipment appropriately
Changing a system of work to reduce a hazard.
Isolating the hazard
Using protective devices to decrease exposure
Using safe handling techniques
Following infection control policies and procedures
Procedures to minimise the risk of exposure to blood and body fluids
Protocols for care following exposure to blood or other body fluids may include but are not limited to:
Immediate care following:
A sharps injury
A splash of blood or other body fluids
Post exposure care
Record keeping and notification
Legal requirements for the notification of all work related occurrences of injury, disease or illness
Hand hygiene procedures may include:
Routine handwash
Surgical handwash
Use of antiseptic wipes and alcohol based preparations in specific situations where waterless hand hygiene is acceptable
Hand care may include but is not limited to:
Suitable water-based hand creams that are registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods
Using warm water for handwashing
Drying hands thoroughly after handwashing
Wearing heavy-duty utility gloves when handling irritant chemicals
Protective clothing and equipment may include but are not limited to :
Gowns and waterproof aprons that comply with Australian/New Zealand standards
Examination gloves and surgical gloves that comply with current Australian/New Zealand standards
Glasses, goggles or face-shields
Surgical face masks that comply with current Australian/New Zealand standards
Footwear to protect from dropped sharps and other contaminated items
Guidelines for latex allergic clients and staff
Clean zone includes but is not limited to:
Storage areas for materials, medicaments, equipment
Sterile storage areas
Administration areas
Contaminated zone includes but is not limited to:
Area used for items that have become contaminated during use
Receiving area for contaminated instruments in the instrument reprocessing centre
Waste may include but is not limited to:
Clinical waste:
discarded sharps
human tissues
laboratory waste
any other waste as specified by the workplace
Related waste:
radiographic waste
chemical and amalgam waste
cytotoxic waste
pharmaceutical waste
radioactive waste
General waste
Disposal of waste requirements may include:
Disposal in accordance with:
Environment Protection (Waste Management) Policy
Environment Protection (Waste Management) Regulations
Australian and New Zealand standards
Organisation policies and procedures
Cleaning proceduresinclude but are not limited to
Damp dusting benches, equipment and shelving
Maintaining the interior of drawers and cupboards in a clean and tidy state
Cleaning floors daily using a mop and water and detergent
Storing cleaning equipment clean and dry
Managing the removal of a small blood or body fluid spill
EVIDENCE GUIDE
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
Observation of workplace performance is preferred for assessment of this unit
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
The assessee must demonstrate compliance with the organisation's infection control policy as it relates to specific job role
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Evidence of essential knowledge and understanding may be provided by:
traditional or online (computer-based) assessment
written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning
Staff and/or client feedback
Supporting statement of supervisor
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
Role play/simulation
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
Observation of workplace performance is preferred for assessment of this unit
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
The assessee must demonstrate compliance with the organisation's infection control policy as it relates to specific job role
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Evidence of essential knowledge and understanding may be provided by:
traditional or online (computer-based) assessment
written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning
Staff and/or client feedback
Supporting statement of supervisor
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
Role play/simulation
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3188 | HLTIN301B | Comply with infection control policies and procedures | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVA32 | HLTINF001 | Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures | Unit of competency |