Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to conduct a quick assessment of disease outbreak within the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace includes applying epidemiological knowledge and methods to conduct the quick assessment of disease outbreak to identify the disease and to apply early control measures to prevent the continued spread of disease.

This unit of competency is applicable to preventive medicine personnel. This function is limited to the performance of tasks in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Pre-requisite Unit /s 

Nil

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

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 measurements and 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

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• communicate appropriately about, consult on and impart knowledge of:
• causes of disease transmission
• control measures of disease transmission
• food storage and distribution standards
• epidemiologic assessment methods
• risk management principles
• water quality assurance measures
• establish and maintain administrative systems
• lead other personnel in quick assessment
• manage workplace issues and problems
• prioritise tasking

Required Knowledge 

• basic knowledge of:
• epidemiology of disease
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach to food control
• pathophysiology of common communicable diseases
• process of disease
• comprehensive knowledge of:
• administrative systems
• best use of available resources
• causes of disease transmission
• causes of manpower wastage
• control measures of disease transmission
• documentation processes relevant to own workplace
• food storage and distribution standards
• health surveillance system
• legal rights and responsibilities
• organisational policies and procedures
• planning and control systems
• risk management principles
• role and capabilities of other health care providers including environmental health team
• team leadership management principles
• time management strategies to set priorities
• water quality assurance measures

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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.

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. 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

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil