Component Specification NFQ Level 5 Infection Prevention .

Component Specification NFQ Level 5Infection Prevention and Control 5N37341. Component DetailsTitleInfection Prevention and ControlTeideal as GaeilgeCosc agus Rialú IonfhabhtuitheAward TypeMinorCode5N3734Level5Credit Value15PurposeThe purpose of this award is to equip the learner with theknowledge, skill and competence to prevent and control infectionwithin the health services area.Learning OutcomesLearners will be able to:1Explain the basic principles of infection and theapplication of standard precautions in relation toinfection control, to include the significance of anArea of Infection Control2Discuss the importance of infection prevention andcontrol in the healthcare area, in providing a healthyenvironment for patients, staff and visitors3Summarise the various types of micro organisms, theelements required for the growth, spread andsubsequent infection process, to include direct andindirect contact, knowledge of the chain of infectionand the need for vigilance and safe practice at alltimes4Analyse the predisposing factors to the developmentof healthcare-acquired infections to include contact1

precautions, respiratory precautions and entericprecautions5Discuss the role and functions of the local infectioncontrol team members, to include local policy inrelation to dress, staff health and travel associatedinfections6Investigate the terms cleaning, disinfection andsterilisation to include cleaning standards,procedures and frequencies while paying specialattention to decontamination of equipment, includingpatient care equipment7Identify the main blood borne viruses which pose athreat and the methods that prevent the spread ofinfections8Examine the role of antibiotics and the importance ofcorrect and safe antibiotic use to avoid antibioticresistance9Differentiate between social hand hygiene, antiseptichand hygiene and surgical hand hygiene to includethe correct use of alcohol hand gels and the need forgood personal skin care and efficient hand washing10Implement the local terminal cleaning procedure in arange of settings, such as an isolation room, singleuse items and outbreak management11Apply appropriate management of blood and bodyfluid spillages, to include policies for dealing withclean and soiled linen, the disposal of sharps and thecorrect management following inoculation, injury oraccidental exposure to blood and body fluids.AssessmentGeneral InformationAll assessment should be planned in accordance with theprogramme assessment strategy developed as part of theprogramme submission for validation. See Policies and Criteriafor Validation of Programmes. Assessment should beundertaken consistently and reflect current assessmentguidelines. See www.qqi.ie.All FET assessment is criterion referenced. Successfulachievement of the award is based on learners attaining therequired standards of knowledge, skill or competence consistentwith the minimum intended programme learning outcomes.2

The techniques set out below are considered the optimumapproach to assessment for this component. In exceptionalcircumstances providers may identify alternative assessmenttechniques through the provider's application for programmevalidation which are reliable and valid but which are moreappropriate to their context.Assessment of a number of components may be integratedacross programmes for delivery, provided that the learningoutcomes of each minor award are assessed.Group or team work may form part of the assessment, providedeach learner's achievement is separately assessed.All providers are required to submit an assessment plan as partof their application for programme validation. Assessment Planswill include information relating to scheduling and integration ofassessment. See current FET validation guidelines atwww.qqi.ie.Assessment TechniquesIn order to demonstrate that they have reached the standards ofknowledge, skill and competence identified in all the learningoutcomes, learners are required to complete the assessment(s)below.The assessor is responsible for devising assessmentinstruments (e.g. project and assignment briefs, examinationpapers), assessment criteria and mark sheets, consistent withthe techniques identified below and QQI’s assessmentrequirements.Programme validation will require providers to map each learningoutcome to its associated assessment technique. All learningoutcomes must be assessed and achieved in accordance withthe minimum intended module learning outcomes set out inthe validated programme.Skills Demonstration40%Learner Record20%Examination - Theory40%DescriptionSkills DemonstrationA skills demonstration is used to assess a wide range of practicalbased learning outcomes including practical skills and knowledge. Askills demonstration will require the learner to complete a task or seriesof tasks that demonstrate a range of skills.3

Learner RecordA learner record is the learner's self-reported and self-reflective recordin which he/she describes specific learning experiences, activities,responses and skills acquired.Examination - TheoryAn examination provides a means of assessing a learner's ability torecall and apply knowledge, skills and understanding within a set periodof time and under clearly specified conditions.A theory-based examination assesses the ability to recall, apply andunderstand specific theory and knowledge.Recognition of PriorLearning (RPL)To support the development and implementation of RPL withregard to access, granting credit/exemptions and achievement ofawards/parts of awards, providers should refer to QQI’sStatutory Guidelines for Quality Assurance, the Policies andCriteria for Validation of Programmes and the Principles andOperational Guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learningin Further and Higher Education and Training available atwww.qqi.ieGradingPass50% - 64%Merit65% - 79%Distinction80% - 100%Specific ValidationRequirementsThe provider must have all of the following in place to offer thisaward:1. Access to a hospital/health care area with up to dateequipment, fixtures and fittings, cleaning agents andmaterials, disinfectants, antiseptics, sterilisers, wastedisposal and personal protective equipmentSupportingDocumentationNoneAccessTo access programmes leading to this award the learner shouldhave reached the standards of knowledge, skill and competenceassociated with the preceding level of the National Framework ofQualifications. This may have been achieved through a formalqualification or through relevant life and work experience.4

TransferSuccessful completion of this component award enables thelearner to transfer to programmes leading to other certificateswhere this component is a mandatory or an elective requirement.2. FET Award StandardsQQI award standards are determined within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ),http://www.nfq-qqi.com. QQI determines standards for the education and training awards that itmakes itself and that are made by providers to whom it has delegated authority to make anaward. Providers offering programmes leading to QQI awards must have their programme(s)validated in accordance with current validation policy (see www.qqi.ie).Award standards are designed to be consistent with the NFQ’s award classes i.e. major, specialpurpose, supplemental and minor awards. They are expressed in terms of learning outcomesi.e. concise statements of what the learner is expected to know or be able to do in order toachieve a particular award. Learning outcomes for FET awards are contained within theassociated specifications:AWARD CLASSSTANDARDSAWARDSMajor AwardCertificate SpecificationCertificate (Levels 1 to 5)Advanced Certificate (Level 6)Supplemental AwardSupplemental SpecificationSupplemental Certificate(Level 3 to 6)Special PurposeSpecific Purpose SpecificationSpecific Purpose Certificate(Levels 3 to 6)Minor AwardComponent SpecificationComponent Certificate(Levels 1 to 6)Award standards are thresholds, they describe standards of knowledge, skill or competence tobe acquired, and where appropriate, demonstrated, by a learner before an award may be made.Award standards will be reviewed from time to time as necessary. Minor changes may be madeby the QQI executive outside the review cycle where necessary. Changes to standards arepublished on QQI’s website. Providers with validated programmes and providers with delegatedauthority to make awards are responsible for monitoring relevant standards and makingnecessary responses to changes.3. FET CreditEvery FET certificate and component specification includes an FET credit value (Table 1). FETcredit is quantified in multiples of 5 FET credits (up to 50 hours of learner effort). Learner effortis based on the time taken by typical learners at the level of the award to achieve the learningoutcomes for the award. It includes all learning time involved including: guided learning hours,self-directed learning and assessment.Table 1: FET Credit Values5

NFQLevelMajor AwardsCredit ValuesDefault CreditValues MinorAwardsOther PermittedMinor AwardCredit ValuesSpecial Purpose andSupplemental AwardCredit Value 05,10,305,10,30 5 and 60 5 and 90 5 and 120 5 and 120Guide to LevelLearning outcomes at this level include a broad range of skills that require some theoreticalunderstanding. The outcomes may relate to engaging in a specific activity, with the capacity touse the instruments and techniques relating to an occupation. They are associated with workbeing undertaken independently, subject to general direction.StrandSub-strandNature of learningKnowledgeBreadthBroad range of knowledgeKindSome theoretical concepts and abstract thinking, withsignificant depth in some areas.Some underpinning theoryKnow How &SkillRangeDemonstrate a broad range of specialised skills and toolsSelectivityEvaluate and use information to plan and develop investigativestrategies and to determine solutions to varied unfamiliarproblemsCompetenceContextAct in a range of varied and specific contexts, takingresponsibility for the nature and quality of outputs; identify andapply skill and knowledge to a wide variety of contextsRoleExercise some initiative and independence in carrying outdefined activities; join and function within multiple, complex andheterogeneous groupsLearning toLearnLearn to take responsibility for own learning within a managedenvironmentInsightAssume full responsibility for consistency of self- understandingand behaviourExtract from 'Determinations for the Outline National Framework of Qualifications': NQAI6

1 Component Specification NFQ Level 5 Infection Prevention and Control 5N3734 1. Component Details Title Infection Prevention and Control Teideal as Gaeilge Cosc agus Rialú Ionfhabhtuithe Award Type Minor Code 5N3734 Level 5 Credit Value 15 Purpose The purpose of this award is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to prevent and control infection