Unit of competency details

Elements and Performance Criteria 

Element 

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 minimize 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 visible 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

To demonstrate competence for this unit the worker must acquire the essential knowledge and skills described:

Essential knowledge :

Basic microbiology including:

bacteria and bacterial spores

fungi

viruses

Aspects of infectious diseases including:

pathogens

opportunistic organisms

Disease transmission:

sources of infecting microorganisms including persons who are carriers, in the incubation phase of the disease or those who are acutely ill

paths of transmission including direct contact, aerosols and penetrating injuries

risk of acquisition

Susceptible hosts including persons who are immune suppressed, have chronic diseases such as diabetes and the very young or very old

Organisation requirements relating to immunisation, where applicable

The organisation's infection control policies and procedures

Identification and management of infectious risks in the workplace

Clean and sterile techniques

Standard precautions

Additional precautions

Good personal hygiene practice including hand care

Effective hand hygiene:

when hands must be washed

procedures for routine handwash

procedures for surgical handwash

Personal protective equipment:

guidelines for wearing gowns and waterproof aprons

guidelines for wearing masks as required

guidelines for wearing protective glasses

guidelines for glove use

Surface cleaning:

cleaning procedures at the start and end of the day

routine surface cleaning

managing a blood or body fluid spill

Sharps handling and disposal techniques

Essential skills :

Ability to:

Apply standard precautions:

consistently follow the procedure for washing and drying hands

consistently put into practice clean and sterile techniques

consistently use personal protective equipment

consistently limit contamination

consistently maintain clean surfaces and manage blood and body fluid spills

consistently protect materials, equipment and instruments from contamination until required for use

consistently ensure instruments used for invasive procedures are sterile at time of use (where appropriate)

Apply additional precautions when standard precautions are not sufficient

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit :

Observation of workplace performance is preferred for assessment of this unit

The assessee 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:

consistent application of handwashing, personal hygiene and personal protection protocols

consistent application of clean and sterile techniques

consistent application of protocols to limit contamination

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

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 'used-by' dates

Animals, insects and vermin

Procedures for risk control may 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 procedures include 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