This unit applies to funeral home and cemetery or crematorium staff with responsibility for coordinating or supervising staff whose work requires the application of infection and contamination control practices.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Provide information about infection and contamination control practices.

1.1

Ensure information on workplace infection and contamination control practices is available to all staff in an accessible location and format.

1.2

Apply appropriate communication strategies to advise staff members of relevant information.

1.3

Maintain currency of information using relevant sources.

2

Implement and monitor infection and contamination control practices.

2.1

Implement and monitor personal hygiene and infection and contamination control practices according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

2.2

Monitor cleanliness and sanitation of equipment and surfaces according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

2.3

Implement and monitor infection and contamination control practices for handling deceased persons according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

2.4

Implement and monitor practices for removal of infectious or contaminated materials and waste according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

3

Address non-compliance with infection and contamination control practices.

3.1

Investigate instances of non-compliance with infection and contamination control in consultation with relevant personnel.

3.2

Develop and implement action plan to address non-compliance issues in consultation with relevant personnel.

3.3

Review implementation of action plan and undertake further consultation to address ongoing issues of non-compliance.

Required skills

communication skills, including clear and direct communication, sharing information and using and interpreting non-verbal communication to provide information to staff on infection and contamination control policies and practices

problem-solving skills to identify and address unsafe work practices

teamwork skills to monitor staff performance and share infection and contamination control knowledge in the workplace to improve practice

literacy and numeracy skills to maintain currency of knowledge and develop action plans to address identified non-compliance issues.

Required knowledge

in-depth knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS, infection control and handling human remains

workplace reporting and referral procedures and practices

use, care and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to source, compile and present current infection and contamination control information to staff

the ongoing implementation and monitoring of safe work practices for infection and contamination control

implementing and monitoring infection and contamination control practices over a period of time to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to and evaluate different situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

demonstration of skills in facility where funeral services industry infection and contamination control procedures are carried out, such as a funeral home, cemetery or crematorium

interaction with a team whose infection and contamination control performance is candidate's responsibility.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of candidate identifying unsafe infection and contamination control work practices and developing action plans to address non-compliance issues

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge of infection and contamination control workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation

review of workplace infection and contamination control information prepared for staff

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SIFOHS006A Implement and monitor OHS procedures.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Infection and contamination control practices may include:

checking for infectious and transmittable disease

using personal protective equipment

sterilising apparatus and instruments

providing sterile storage areas for instruments

using disinfectants

safe removal and disposal of soiled and contaminated garments

safe ventilation

avoiding invasive procedures on bodies

immunisation

periodic X-rays

seeking medical advice

recording injury and incidence

reporting injury and incidence

providing first aid kit

performing first aid as necessary

labelling clothing.

Communication strategies may include:

verbal, such as questioning and active listening

written, such as:

pamphlets

memos

signage

visual, such as:

videos

posters

electronic, such as websites

alternative strategies, such as:

use of interpreters

large print materials

materials in languages other than English.

Relevant sources may include:

manufacturer guidelines

books, magazines, newspapers and other references

internet

relevant industry associations

past and present staff members

local experts

own knowledge, memory and experiences

videos and television.

Personal hygiene may include:

maintenance of cleanliness of work clothes

hand washing

use of personal protective equipment

participation in workplace health programs.

Relevant legislation and regulations may include:

OHS

federal, state or territory and local government guidelines or ordinances

Coroner's Act

Human Tissue Act

federal transportation regulations

Airlines Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

Dangerous Goods Act

cemetery Acts and by-laws

Crematorium Acts

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

OHS

standard operating procedures

use, care and maintenance of tools and equipment

incident reporting and recording.

Infectious or contaminated materials and waste may include:

body parts

human tissue

human blood and body fluid

materials and equipment containing human blood and body fluid

contaminated garments

soiled dressings, sharps, swabs, catheters and bandages.

Relevant personnel may include:

manager

supervisor

colleagues.

Sector

Funeral Services

Occupational Health and Safety

This unit contains employability skills.