This unit applies to the preparation and processing of laundry items in accordance with industry and organisational policies and procedures relating to infection control. Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities. Work is performed within defined procedures under direct supervision. The application of this unit is according to OH&S practices of the enterprise and workplace practices, which may include: Material Safety Data sheets (MSDS) requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment standard operating procedures work instructions oral, written and visual communication quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output housekeeping tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling This unit requires the application of skills associated with self management when conducting work to ensure procedures are followed when processing laundry. This unit also requires an ability to access and communicate information on procedures and problem solving skills and initiative and enterprise to recognise and act on any inconsistencies. |
Not applicable.
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Collect and sort linen in accordance with organisational guidelines | 1.1 Appropriate personal protective equipment is worn and/or used when handling soiled linen 1.2 Waste is segregated, contained, stored and transported according to organisational policy and procedures 1.3 Waste is disposed of safely according to established organisational and legislative requirements 1.4 Linen is sorted according to cleaning requirements 1.5 Required documentation is completed |
2. Clean and disinfect equipment and surfaces | 2.1 Appropriate cleaning products, disinfectants and cleaning equipment are selected, prepared and used to clean and disinfect equipment and surfaces in accordance with infection control guidelines and scheduled cleaning routines 2.2 Standard precautions are practised, including the use of personal protective clothing and equipment 2.3 Organisational infection control policy and procedures are followed 2.4 OH&S practices are followed 2.5 Equipment is correctly stored in accordance with organisational procedures |
3. Maintain personal hygiene | 3.1 Standard and additional infection control procedures are used when required 3.2 Cleanliness of work clothes is maintained 3.3 Personal hygiene is maintained 3.4 Open-skin areas on self are covered with an occlusive dressing 3.5 Hand washing procedures are correctly followed according to the organisation's infection control policy and procedures 3.6 Appropriate protective clothing is checked prior to use, and worn correctly according to the organisation's infection control policy and procedures 3.7 Where appropriate, one way work flows from clean to dirty zones are adhered to 3.8 Immunisation is undertaken in accordance with organisational policy |
4. Identify and respond to infection risks | 4.1 Awareness of common infection risks in own workplace is maintained 4.2 Infection risks are identified and appropriate response implemented within own role and responsibility to maintain a clean environment 4.3 Situations that pose an infection risk are responded to appropriately in accordance with organisational policy and procedures 4.4 Appropriate signs are placed as and where appropriate 4.5 Personal protective clothing is used in accordance with standard precautions 4.6 Risk control and risk containment procedures are followed for specific risks when required 4.7 Spillages are removed in accordance with organisational policy and procedure |
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Demonstrates skills to apply standard precautions: consistently follow correct hygiene procedures select and use equipment and disinfectants follow correct hand washing techniques correctly use personal protective clothing and equipment follow procedures appropriate to the cleaningarea and purpose minimise disruption to the work environment minimise infection risks and hazards for self and others use appropriate chemicals for cleaning and disinfection apply additional precautions when standard precautions are not sufficient use technology to work safely and competently communicate constructively to achieve planned outcomes in relation to infection risks, waste management and hygiene issues read, interpret, and follow information on work specifications , standard operating procedures and work instructions, and other reference material maintain accurate records communicate within the workplace sequence operations meet specifications clarify and check task-related information carry out work according to OH&S practices |
Demonstrates knowledge of organisation's infection control policy as it relates to specific work role processes of how infection is spread infection risks in a laundry environment, and specifically in own workplace organisation's waste management policy and procedures applicable OHS policy and practice in relation to infection risks, hygiene, waste management and cleaning relevant material safety data sheets quality practices workplace practices practices for recording and reporting |
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Demonstrates skills and knowledge to: comply with organisation's infection control policy as it relates to specific work roles, safe waste handling and management procedures apply personal hygiene and environmental practices Consistently applies skills and knowledge when: organising work completing tasks identifying improvements using workplace practices using OH&S practices recording and reporting accidents and incidents assessing operational readiness of equipment used and work processes recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions completing work systematically with attention to detail without damage to goods and equipment |
Context and specific resources for assessment | Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment and requires access to work areas, materials and equipment and to information on workplace practices and OH&S practices. |
Guidance information for assessment | This unit may be assessed independently or in combination with other relevant units. |
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, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts. | |
All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements. | |
Waste may include | clinical and related wastes cytotoxic waste sharps radioactive waste general waste food wastes human or animal tissue hazardous substances |
Waste may be transported or contained in | lockable bins special containers trolley bags suitable vehicle |
Disposal requirements may be | determined by government, including local government requirements determined by organisational policy landfill flushing into sewerage system incineration licensed microwave disinfection |
Cleaning equipment may include | buckets mops and brushes mechanical cleaning equipment |
Infection control guidelines may include | organisation's infection control policy and procedure manual standard and additional precautions codes of practice relevant Australian standards national health and medical research council guidelines local government ordinances material safety data sheets for chemical use food safety plan |
Personal protective clothing may include | eye and face protection gloves impermeable gowns masks hair protection or covering overshoes or safety footwear aprons |
OH&S practices | OH&S practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and may include: manual handling techniques standard operating procedures personal protective equipment safe materials handling taking of rest breaks ergonomic arrangement of workplaces following marked walkways safe storage of equipment housekeeping reporting accidents and incidents other OH&S practices relevant to the job and enterprise |
Infection risks may include | sharps waste human waste and human tissue body fluids personal contact with infectious patients stagnant water stock including food which has passed 'used-by' dates animals, insects and vermin incorrect concentration of disinfectants and chemicals |
Appropriate responses to infection risks may include | incident reporting cleaning removal of waste or spillage following standard and additional precautions containment or elimination of the risk using personal protective clothing and equipment following specified organisational procedures seeking advice from or reporting to an appropriate person |
Not applicable.
This unit contains employability skills. |
Not applicable.