Elements and Performance Criteria
- Follow infection control guidelines
- Demonstrate the application of standard precautions to prevent the spread of infection in accordance with organisation requirements
- Demonstrate the application of additional precautions when standard precautions alone may not be sufficient to prevent transmission of infection
- Minimise contamination of materials, equipment and instruments by aerosols and splatter
- Identify and respond to infection risks
- Identify infection risks and implement an appropriate response within own role and responsibility
- Document and report activities and tasks that put clients and/or other workers at risk
- Respond appropriately to situations that pose an infection risk in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organisation
- Follow procedures for risk control and risk containment for specific risks
- Follow protocols for care following exposure to blood or other body fluids as required
- Place appropriate signs when and where appropriate
- Remove spills in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organisation
- Maintain personal hygiene
- Use personal protective equipment
- Limit contamination
- Handle, package, label, store, transport and dispose of clinical and other waste
- Wear appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment in accordance with occupational health and safety policies and procedures when handling waste
- Separate waste at the point where it has been generated and dispose of into waste containers that are colour coded and identified
- Store clinical or related waste in an area that is accessible only to authorised persons
- Handle, package, label, store, transport and dispose of waste appropriately to minimise potential for contact with the waste and to reduce the risk to the environment from accidental release
- Dispose of waste safely in accordance with policies and procedures of the organisation and legislative requirements
- Clean environmental surfaces
- Wear personal protective clothing and equipment during cleaning procedures
- Remove all dust, dirt and physical debris from work surfaces
- Clean all work surfaces with a neutral detergent and warm water solution before and after each session or when visibly soiled
- Decontaminate equipment requiring special processing in accordance with quality management systems to ensure full compliance with cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation protocols
- Dry all work surfaces before and after use
- Replace surface covers where applicable
- Maintain and store cleaning equipment