Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:25 PM AWST

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Conduct a quick assessment of disease outbreak

Conduct a quick assessment of disease outbreak

Unit of competency
National Code
DEFPH009A
State Code
AVV71
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
24/01/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
061303 - Environmental Health
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit covers the competency required to conduct a quick assessment of disease outbreak within the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Initiate data gathering for quick assessment
  • 1.1 Relevant persons within affected organisation are liaised with, to inform and gain consent for quick assessment to occur.
  • 1.2 Factors affecting the complexity of the quick assessment are determined.
  • 1.3 Information regarding events leading up to, during or after a disease outbreak occurring are obtained from those involved using appropriate data collection methods.
  • 1.4 Persons assisting with quick assessment are tasked and provided with appropriate guidance to enable them to assist independently.
  • 1.5 Environmental measurementsand testing to support quick assessment are performed.
  • 1.6 Information gathered by others is facilitated into the overall epidemiologic quick assessment.
2. Analyse epidemiologic data
  • 2.1 Events are constructed into a time line to identify initial causative incident.
  • 2.2 Causative incidents are analysed to identify the nature of the disease causing the outbreak.
  • 2.3 Epidemiologic data is analysed to identify the spread of disease and to classify the proportions of the disease outbreak.
  • 2.4 Factors relating to disease outbreak are compared to treatment information and organisation’s response to the disease outbreak.
  • 2.5 Specialist authorities are contacted as required to seek expert advice or opinion to aid the assessment of disease.
3. Report assessment findings and implement disease control measures
  • 3.1 Assessment findings are discussed and agreed upon with personnel assisting in the quick assessment.
  • 3.2 Range of control measures are identified which specifically address factors relating to disease outbreak.
  • 3.3 Assessment findings are recorded and communicated to relevant personnel along with immediate control measures aimed at stopping the spread of disease within the organisation.
  • 3.4 Disease control measures are integrated with the wider environmental health support plan to apply the lessons learned in the disease outbreak to other operating areas and groups.
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.
Relevant persons may include:
Activity commander
Environmental health officer
Team leader
Technical supervisor
Factors affecting the complexity may include:
Availability of personnel
Availability of resources
Continued prevalence of disease
Operational constraints
Time elapsed since first reported case
Wellness of personnel affected by the disease
Information regarding events leading up to, during or after a disease outbreak may include:
Action on first reported case
Duration of illness
Environmental protection activities
Epidemiology of the presenting disease
Food sources
Hygiene procedures
Group activities
Number of personnel affected
Operating environment
Referral action
Response to treatment by health personnel
Secondary infections
Subsequent environmental protection activities
Water sources
Appropriate data collection methods may include:
Document search
Inspection
Interview
Requests for information
Survey
Environmental measurements and testing may include:
Chemical and biological testing
Environmental measurement
Food sampling
Water quality testing
Proportions of the disease outbreak may include:
Endemic
Epidemic
Factors relating to disease outbreak may include:
Path of disease transmission
Proportions of disease spread and infection
Time/date of onset
Type of disease
Specialist authorities may include:
Environmental health officer
Health planning personnel
Medical personnel
Pathology specialist
Control measures may include:
Controlling dust and aerial contamination
Controlling/isolating field waste
Education of personnel (prevention/early detection)
Immunisation
Improving personal hygiene
Isolating carriers of disease
Preventing overcrowding
Providing adequate hygiene facilities
Reviewing food handlers hygiene practices
Reviewing food handling and storage practices
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
liaise with personnel in authority to engender support for quick assessment
analyse information and make accurate assessments about the nature of disease causing the outbreak
coordinate the activities of persons assisting with the quick assessment
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over a minimum of two quick assessment scenarios.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in a simulated situation or scenario.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
simulated situation or scenario of outbreak of disease with all supporting information
equipment required to perform environmental measurement and testing
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BBC59 DEFPHL009 Conduct a quick assessment of disease outbreak Unit of competency
No information