This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to contribute to field environmental health operations as a member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

It includes providing support and advice to environmental health planning. It also includes implementing and monitoring environmental health measures.

This unit applies to persons working as environmental health operatives in Defence but is applicable to any anyone in this field of work.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Persons undertaking this unit work under supervision and perform complex tasks in a range of contexts.

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

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Provide support to environmental health planning

1.1

Attend and participate in planning briefs and activities to contribute to team planning tasks

1.2

Gather and communicate information in support of environmental health planning to team leader

2

Provide environmental health advice

2.1

Identify scope of task and clarify health support assessment requirements

2.2

Develop advice that is in accordance with a full consideration of identified health threats

2.3

Conduct environmental health research to meet task requirements

2.4

Identify need and gain assistance from environmental health assets, as required

2.5

Identify environmental health measures in consideration of health threats

2.6

Formulate environmental health advice in consultation with identified stakeholders

3

Implement environmental health measures

3.1

Establish personal hygiene facilities in accordance with task and operational procedures

3.2

Supervise the establishment of field waste facilities

3.3

Monitor the quality of field water and food supply in accordance with health plan and operational procedures

3.4

Implement environmental injury control measures to ensure maximum safety to personnel

4

Monitor environmental health measures

4.1

Monitor personnel health in accordance with operational procedures

4.2

Assist line managers with physical health inspections

4.3

Detect and respond to the outbreak of disease in accordance with health plan and operational procedures

4.4

Compile reports and returns, as required

4.5

Seek feedback from identified stakeholders regarding effectiveness and acceptance of environmental health measures

4.6

Monitor the implementation of environmental health measures in accordance with operational procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

applying relevant legislation, and organisational policies and procedures and determining the most appropriate method of control for each

assessing a range of common health threats in the field environment

communicating effectively and engaging with a broad range of stakeholders to gain support for environmental health activities

contributing to health operations including:

exposure to common health threats in a field setting

coordinating a range of environmental health measures in a practical field setting

ensuring collection and disposal of field waste

identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing control measures

identifying health risks and disease transmission

implementing control measures of disease transmission

implementing water quality assurance measures

participating in planning briefs

prioritising tasking

promoting a safe working environment

working effectively with relevant administrative systems.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

disease types which must include one or more of the following:

airborne disease such as influenza

contact disease such as impetigo or tinea

food and water-borne disease such as dysentery, cholera and typhoid

vector-borne disease such as malaria or dengue fever

causes of disease transmission

food storage and distribution standards including the hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) approach to food control

health surveillance system

methods of establishing field hygiene and waste facilities

pathophysiology of common communicable diseases

process of disease

relevant legislation, and organisational policies and procedures

relevant planning and control systems

risk management principles

role and capabilities of other health care providers including environmental health team

water quality assurance measures.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations, where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations based on a range of notional health threats determined from recent and historical experience

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry including:

appropriate equipment and stores

relevant personnel

relevant documentation including operational policies, procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Not applicable.

Preventive Health