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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Initiate data gathering for quick assessment
  2. Analyse epidemiologic data
  3. Report assessment findings and implement disease control measures

Required Skills

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 Required

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