Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct field surveillance for identifying potential biosecurity threats, to gather evidence to confirm a diagnosis and to implement a response to contain the emergency.

The unit applies to individuals who have been appointed or engaged in a supervisory role in a surveillance response team. Field surveillance teams work under instructions from the local control centre Operations Manager. The individuals take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within known parameters. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Emergency Response (BER)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has, on at least two occasions, conducted field surveillance for a biosecurity emergency response and has:

• confirmed and coordinated surveillance activities
• conducted site visits, collected, prepared and dispatched suspect emergency disease or pest samples
• followed biosecurity standards and protocols throughout surveillance operations
• sought expert advice to assist in identification and diagnosis of emergency disease or pest
• alerted surveillance authority and contained emergency disease or pest in a timely manner as directed by Operations Manager and biosecurity standards and protocols
• collected information for management of outbreak and reported to Operations Manager
• directed and communicated with stakeholders of suspected emergency disease or pest
• ensured decontamination of personnel, equipment and vehicles according to biosecurity procedures.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• standards, guidelines and protocols for the emergency disease or pest
• signs and symptoms of diseases or pests subject to surveillance for different environments
• emergency disease or pest surveillance procedures, including:

• collecting and handling samples and supporting evidence of diagnosis
• reporting findings and information that may help in control response
• containment of outbreak
• personal and general decontamination

• communication principles for providing direction and warnings to stakeholders, including:

• property owners
• property or land managers
• transient operators such as bee keeping

• recognising and interacting with various stakeholders involved in a biosecurity emergency response, including, general public, farmers, growers and producers and conservation land and water managers
• roles, responsibilities and reporting procedures of stakeholders in an emergency response event
• sources of information for identifying and managing emergency diseases and pests, including:

• seeking and accessing expertise for disease and pest identification
• emergency response plans relevant to the industry
• nationally agreed standard operating procedures
• codes of practice relevant to different industry sectors

• decontamination procedures for the following:

• personnel
• tools and equipment
• vehicles

• timeliness in an emergency response.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• skills must be demonstrated in an environment that represents a property or location with a biosecurity emergency

• resources, equipment and materials:

• references and resources for identification of possible diseases or pests
• tools and equipment required to contain the emergency disease or pest
• personal protective equipment and decontamination facilities

• specifications:

• surveillance authority documents and instructions
• biosecurity legislation and codes of practice

• relationships:

• stakeholders
• surveillance authority and control centre

• timeframes:

• according to time specified for emergency containment response.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72