Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and monitor infection prevention and control systems and procedures in work contexts where health and personal care services are provided.
This unit applies to people working in roles with managerial responsibilities for infection prevention and control in small to medium sized organisations. There may or may not be a team of workers involved.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Establish framework for infection prevention and control | 1.1 Access and interpret legislation, regulations and codes of practice for infection prevention and control 1.2 Collate and evaluate information on workplace requirements for infection prevention and control 1.3 Evaluate current policies, systems and procedures for compliance and quality 1.4 Consult with relevant colleagues on infection prevention and control issues and requirements 1.5 Develop and document infection prevention and control systems and procedures, including record keeping and reporting systems 1.6 Define and allocate infection prevention and control responsibilities |
2. Establish procedures for hazard identification and risk control | 2.1 Establish hazard identification and risk assessment tools 2.2 Develop workplace processes for risk control 2.3 Ensure risk controls and hazard specific procedures are consistent with the hierarchy of control 2.4 Put in place incident reporting and investigation procedures 2.5 Document hazard identification and risk assessment systems and procedures |
3. Implement and monitor infection prevention and control practices | 3.1 Communicate infection prevention and control systems, procedures and responsibilities to relevant colleagues 3.2 Support implementation by facilitating resources and training 3.3 Monitor day to day effectiveness of infection prevention and control procedures and address issues of concern |
4. Evaluate infection prevention and control performance | 4.1 Assess infection prevention and control systems against compliance requirements 4.2 Review incidents as key sources of information 4.3 Seek feedback on systems and procedures from relevant colleagues 4.4 Identify and action improvements to systems and procedures |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
developed compliant infection prevention and control systems and procedures for at least 1 work environment:
accessed and analysed compliance and workplace information
developed and documented systems and procedures for:
hazard identification and risk control
personal hygiene
use of personal protective equipment
handling and transport of potentially infectious material
limitation of contamination
cleaning and maintenance
communicated responsibilities to relevant people
monitored infection prevention and control systems and procedures for at least 1 work environment and responded to problems
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
key features of infection prevention and control regulation and guidelines and compliance requirements:
Australian standards
government guidelines
manufacturer documentation
principles and processes of planning
systems and procedures needed to meet compliance and quality requirements for infection prevention and control:
work processes and precautions
hazard identification and risk control
monitoring and evaluation
reporting processes and hierarchies
training requirements
links between infection prevention and control systems and other management systems:
work health and safety
work organisation
human resource management
for the specific work environment:
ways the infections are spread
types of hazards and risks
control methods
sustainability considerations for development of infection prevention and control systems and procedures
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations have not been provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely.
The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
facilities and equipment used in the candidate’s place or intended place of work
current infection prevention and control regulations and standards
modelling of industry operating conditions, including presence of real or simulated risks and hazards to which the candidate responds
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. | |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. | |