This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to undertake a vector borne diseases surveillance program as a member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

It includes preparing, collecting, performing and reviewing data in a vector borne diseases surveillance program. It also includes interpreting and reporting data gathered from vector borne disease surveillance.

This unit applies to personnel working in Defence preventive medicine.

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 independently 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

Collect and review data in preparation for surveillance activities

1.1

Analyse historical data to determine the surveillance area and vectors

1.2

Review climate and topography of surveillance area to identify key locations of interest and optimal time to perform surveillance

1.3

Analyse blood and/or mosquito samples using rapid test kits in accordance with manufacturer specifications, to identify potential prevalence of vector borne diseases in surveillance area

2

Perform surveillance of vectors

2.1

Gather surveillance data using vector collection techniques

2.2

Operate surveillance equipment in accordance with manufacturer specifications

2.3

Sort and identify collected vectors to enable classification

2.4

Preserve, store and maintain collected vectors for transport, in accordance with operational procedures

3

Interpret and report data gathered from vector borne disease surveillance

3.1

Interpret surveillance data to assess the risk of vector borne disease to personnel

3.2

Determine the risk of vector borne disease occurrence to aid environmental health planning

3.3

Draft and present a surveillance report to relevant stakeholders

3.4

Recommend control measures to reduce vector borne disease risks to personnel

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 two separate occasions and include:

applying relevant legislation, and organisational policies and procedures

collecting research material from available relevant sources

collecting and correctly identifying vectors

gathering vector borne disease surveillance data

identifying the potential prevalence of vector borne diseases in surveillance area

identifying vector borne disease hazards, assessing risks and implementing control measures

interpreting and reporting surveillance data

manipulating vectors with high level of dexterity and hand–eye coordination

prioritising tasking

setting up and disassembling equipment.

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:

aetiology of disease relevant to vector borne diseases

health surveillance system

historical data which must include one or more of the following:

health intelligence reports

government reports on health statistics

scientific reports on health statistics

operating procedures for surveillance equipment

preservation techniques for vectors

relevant vector borne diseases of interest to the Australian Defence Force (ADF)

relevant vector biology

relevant disease control measures including:

avoiding known areas where vectors occur

education

impregnating clothing and bed nets with chemical protective barriers (permethrin impregnation)

selecting appropriate camp sites

sleeping under bed nets

using protective clothing

using repellents, insecticides

wearing long sleeves, trousers, head nets, covered footwear

relevant documentation processes

relevant legislation, and organisational policies and procedures

relevant vectors including:

cockroaches

fleas

house flies

lice

mites

mosquitoes

phlebotomies (sandflies)

ticks.

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

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

relevant surveillance equipment

suitable environment/setting to collect vectors

relevant documentation including operational 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