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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply foundational knowledge of the structure and biology of pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites in clinical practice 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120178  Apply foundational knowledge of the structure and biology of pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites in clinical practice 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nursing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Preventive Health 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended to provide foundational knowledge to all first level health workers regarding the significance of the existence of pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites. It provides information regarding the need for maintaining clean and hygienic surroundings whether in a clinical, home or environmental setting.

Learners credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Name the portals of entry and modes of spread of clinically important pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites.
  • Explain the need for preventing contamination by these micro-organisms and parasites.
  • Identify and demonstrate infection and infestation control measures.

    Learners will function within institutional policies related to specific occupational settings and the parameters of the capabilities of the learner at this level. Enrolled auxiliary nurse learners will also function within the scope of practice for enrolled auxiliary nurses as formulated by the South African Nursing Council. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners starting with this standard are expected to be competent in:
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 2.
  • Communication at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    List the portals of entry and mode of spread of specified micro organisms and parasites. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The portals of entry and mode of spread for clinically important micro organisms and parasites are correctly identified. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain why there is a need for taking precautions against the spread of micro-organisms and parasites. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The consequences of infection of a patient in terms of illness, or contamination of a wound is identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The consequences of parasitic infestation on the health of a human are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate the measures to be taken to prevent contamination of patients by pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Infection control measures are correctly applied according to the portal of entry and the mode of spread of the micro organisms and parasites. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Precautions are correctly and appropriately utilised in clinical practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Principles of antisepsis and sterilization are correctly implemented. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Classification of micro organisms and parasites.
  • The life cycle of micro organisms and parasites.
  • Portals of entry for infections and infestations.
  • Mode of spread of micro organisms and parasites.
  • Clinically important micro organisms and parasites.
  • Application of antisepsis and sterilisation principles.
  • Precautions to prevent infections and infestations.
  • Application of principles of infection control in clinical practice. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
  • List or name the portals of entry and mode of spread of specific micro organisms and parasites.
  • Demonstrate the measures to be taken to prevent contamination of patients by pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
  • Explain why there is a need for taking precautions against the spread of micro-organisms and parasites.
  • Demonstrate the measures to be taken to prevent contamination of patients by pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
  • Explain why there is a need for taking precautions against the spread of micro-organisms and parasites.
  • Demonstrate the measures to be taken to prevent contamination of patients by pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
  • List or name the portals of entry and mode of spread of specific micro organisms and parasites.
  • Explain why there is a need for taking precautions against the spread of micro-organisms and parasites.
  • Demonstrate the measures to be taken to prevent contamination of patients by pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
  • Explain why there is a need for taking precautions against the spread of micro-organisms and parasites.
  • Demonstrate the measures to be taken to prevent contamination of patients by pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
  • List or name the portals of entry and mode of spread of specific micro organisms and parasites.
  • Explain why there is a need for taking precautions against the spread of micro-organisms and parasites.
  • Demonstrate the measures to be taken to prevent contamination of patients by pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
  • List or name the portals of entry and mode of spread of specific micro organisms and parasites.
  • Demonstrate the measures to be taken to prevent contamination of patients by pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
  • List or name the portals of entry and mode of spread of specific micro organisms and parasites.
  • Explain why there is a need for taking precautions against the spread of micro-organisms and parasites.
  • Demonstrate the measures to be taken to prevent contamination of patients by pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Integrated Assessment

    The South African Nursing Council guidelines are used as a reference for clinical competence.

    Formative:

    A variety of assessment strategies and/or approaches must be used, such as - but not limited to:
  • Assignments
  • Workbooks
  • Projects
  • Demonstrations or
  • Clinical assessments

    Summative:

    May take the form of:
    > written
    > practical
    > oral assessment
    as agreed to by the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.

    Matrix to indicate how credits are derived
  • Learning experience: Theoretical learning, hours 20, 2 credits
  • Learning experience: Theoretical learning, hours 20, 2 credits
  • Total: hours 40, 4 credits 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  71709   National Certificate: Auxiliary Nursing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.