This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to make a basic determination of the relevant diseases in the community, the mode of disease transmission and the possible means of transmission control.

This unit applies to work in a public health context and workers at this level will work under supervision and within defined guidelines.

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.

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in the 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:

followed correct procedures to identify and address at least 2 potential diseases in the community, including developing and implementing disease prevention and control measures.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and organisation requirements relating to environmental health needs, including:

national, State/Territory and local health policies, goals, targets and priorities relevant to identifying health needs

scope of own role and responsibilities

other key people or agency responsibilities

points of contact to assist with the implementation of strategies which are outside own responsibility

basic germ theory, including:

what germs are, including conflict and/or compatibility with traditional knowledge

where germs live and their source, including:

raw meat

rubbish

sewerage

sick animals

conditions that germs need for growth, including:

temperature

food

water

time

what parasites are, and types of parasites, including:

protozoa

worms

mites

lice

disease categories (bacterial, viral), types of diseases and their signs and symptoms

diseases or infection that can be attributed to parasites, types of diseases and their signs and symptoms

bacterial diseases, including:

Salmonella

Staphylococcus

Campylobacter

E-Coli

Tetanus

viral diseases, including:

colds and flu

Hepatitis A

gastroenteritis

Trachoma

Ross River Fever

Australian Encephalitis

diseases attributed to parasites, including:

Dwarf Tape Worm infection

Giardiasis

hookworm infection

threadworm (or Pinworm) infection

scabies infection

signs and symptoms of disease, including:

diarrhoea

vomiting and/or nausea

fever

abdominal cramps and pains

headaches

lethargy

dehydration

indigestion

very painful muscles or joints

severe spasms and cramps in the neck, face and body

inability to control movements

yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

liver dysfunction

sore eyes

red eyes

watering eyes

rash

convulsions

paralysis

inflammation

coma

death

vehicles and agents of transmission, including:

water droplets in the air

hands

wind blown dust

water

vectors (insects and rodents)

the blood which carries germs around in the body

strategies and control measures to limit the transmission of diseases in the following contexts:

housing

water supply

sewage

rubbish collection and disposal

food storage and handling.

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. Where simulation is used, it must reflect real working conditions by modelling industry operating conditions and contingencies, as well as, using suitable facilities, equipment and resources.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

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.