Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
24/07/2026 12:45 AM AWST
24/07/2026 12:45 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting
Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTMS206D
HLTMS206D
State Code
WD191
WD191
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/07/2012
Field of Education
039909 - Cleaning
Original Release Date
19/07/2012
Nominal Hours
30
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the skills and knowledge required for general cleaning duties to maintain a clinical area in a clean and tidy condition, and fit for use
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Maximise safety during cleaning
- 1.1 Correctly use personal protective equipment suitable for conditions and /or required by established procedures
- 1.2 Check cleaning equipment to be used for safe operation and set up to meet manufacturer's and relevant safety protocols
- 1.3 Where required, select suitable cleaning agents and prepare in accordance with manufacturer's and relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements, and in accordance with organisation policy
- 1.4 Where required, barricade work site and install appropriate signs to reduce safety hazards during cleaning activities
2. Clean and maintain surfaces in clinical areas
- 2.1 Identify surface type and texture so that suitable cleaning equipment and method(s) can be selected
- 2.2 Select suitable cleaning agent
- 2.3 Prepare and clean surfaces as required by cleaning routines and organisation policy
- 2.4 Remove stains and spillages from surfaces
- 2.5 Remove dirt and soil
- 2.6 Maintain wet areas in an odour free, soil and hazard free condition
- 2.7 Dry surfaces as required
3. Ensure maintenance of cleaning standards
- 3.1 Clean unit or location to achieve a low bacteria condition as required by organisation policy and procedures
- 3.2 Ensure surfaces and areas are regularly cleaned in accordance with the organisation's established cleaning schedules and routines
- 3.3 Follow all established procedures, including infection control as required to minimise cross infection
4. Manage waste
- 4.1 Assess all waste for health and safety risks and handle in accordance with relevant organisation and WHS requirements
- 4.2 Remove waste promptly according to established procedures to maintain a clean and tidy environment/area and avoid build up of unpleasant odours
- 4.3 Where required, spot clean waste receptacles and surrounds and replace soiled liners to minimise build up of odour and to maintain a soiled-free appearance
5. Store equipment and cleaning agents safely
- 5.1 Clean and dry equipment before storage
- 5.2 Store cleaning agents in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and organisation policy
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
A clinical setting may include:
Hospital ward
Residential care facility
Medical, allied health or other practitioner's rooms
A specific health care area eg sterilising unit, clinic, laboratory
Safety protocols may include:
The principle WHS Act in each state and territory and relevant national WHS standards
Infection control policy and procedures
Organisation policy
Established procedures
State, territory and national legislation and standards
Manufacturers' instructions
Use of cleaning products in accordance with organisation policy and procedure
Personal protective equipment may include:
Gloves
Safety glasses
Safety shoes
Face masks
Overalls
Hair nets
Hearing protection
Caps
Clothing used to maintain hygiene standards or
Clothing used as prescribed in manufacturers of chemicals or equipment
Signage
Cleaning equipment may include a range of:
Brooms
Mops
Brushes
Dusters / dusting and washing rags
Buckets
Hoses
Spotting agent dispensers
Wands
Sprayers
Pile lifter and auto sweeping
Air blowing
Vacuum cleaning
Scrubbing machines
Dry foam machine
Wands
Extraction machinery
Steam cleaners
Manufacturers' specifications and safety information is:
Pre-printed on chemical containers
On material data safety sheets
On laminated safety cards at the work site
On wall posters
Cleaning agents may be:
Chemicals mixed on the job or pre-mixed
Neutral PH detergents
Acidic cleaners
Graffiti remover
Cleaning operations may include:
Sweeping
Dusting
Scrubbing
Spotting
Polishing and buffing
Vacuuming
Mopping
Hazards and risks may include:
Clinical waste, body fluids or tissue
Slippery surfaces
Loose electrical fittings
Broken glass
High bacteria growths
Needle stick injuries
Sharp surfaces
Fumes from cleaning agents
Allergic reactions
Client's cleaning chemical mixtures
Unlabelled cleaning chemical containers
Surface types may include:
Floors, walls and ceilings
Fabric upholstery
Carpet
Rugs/mats
Coir matting
Concrete
Terrazzo
Vinyl
Slate
Ceramic
Wood/parquetry/polished wood
Marble
Plastic/acrylic
Laminate
Glass
Metal
Granite
Brick
Rubber
Synthetic grass
Benches and shelves
Furniture and equipment surfaces
Wet areas may include:
Restroom
Toilet
Bathroom/ensuite/spa
Wash up area
Kitchen, beverage area or servery
Laundry
Scrub area
Pan or utility roomlinic or treatment area
Sink
Waste may be:
Wet or dry
Paper
Dust
Food
Plant waste
Animal hair/fur
Clinical waste
Syringes
Body fluids and tissue
A clinical setting may include:
Hospital ward
Residential care facility
Medical, allied health or other practitioner's rooms
A specific health care area eg sterilising unit, clinic, laboratory
Safety protocols may include:
The principle WHS Act in each state and territory and relevant national WHS standards
Infection control policy and procedures
Organisation policy
Established procedures
State, territory and national legislation and standards
Manufacturers' instructions
Use of cleaning products in accordance with organisation policy and procedure
Personal protective equipment may include:
Gloves
Safety glasses
Safety shoes
Face masks
Overalls
Hair nets
Hearing protection
Caps
Clothing used to maintain hygiene standards or
Clothing used as prescribed in manufacturers of chemicals or equipment
Signage
Cleaning equipment may include a range of:
Brooms
Mops
Brushes
Dusters / dusting and washing rags
Buckets
Hoses
Spotting agent dispensers
Wands
Sprayers
Pile lifter and auto sweeping
Air blowing
Vacuum cleaning
Scrubbing machines
Dry foam machine
Wands
Extraction machinery
Steam cleaners
Manufacturers' specifications and safety information is:
Pre-printed on chemical containers
On material data safety sheets
On laminated safety cards at the work site
On wall posters
Cleaning agents may be:
Chemicals mixed on the job or pre-mixed
Neutral PH detergents
Acidic cleaners
Graffiti remover
Cleaning operations may include:
Sweeping
Dusting
Scrubbing
Spotting
Polishing and buffing
Vacuuming
Mopping
Hazards and risks may include:
Clinical waste, body fluids or tissue
Slippery surfaces
Loose electrical fittings
Broken glass
High bacteria growths
Needle stick injuries
Sharp surfaces
Fumes from cleaning agents
Allergic reactions
Client's cleaning chemical mixtures
Unlabelled cleaning chemical containers
Surface types may include:
Floors, walls and ceilings
Fabric upholstery
Carpet
Rugs/mats
Coir matting
Concrete
Terrazzo
Vinyl
Slate
Ceramic
Wood/parquetry/polished wood
Marble
Plastic/acrylic
Laminate
Glass
Metal
Granite
Brick
Rubber
Synthetic grass
Benches and shelves
Furniture and equipment surfaces
Wet areas may include:
Restroom
Toilet
Bathroom/ensuite/spa
Wash up area
Kitchen, beverage area or servery
Laundry
Scrub area
Pan or utility roomlinic or treatment area
Sink
Waste may be:
Wet or dry
Paper
Dust
Food
Plant waste
Animal hair/fur
Clinical waste
Syringes
Body fluids and tissue
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations relevant to an identified work role
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace
Resources for assessment may include access to materials and space as required to demonstrate competence, such as:
relevant organisation policies and procedures
cleaning schedules
other documentation relevant to the work context such as:
floor plans
instructions for the use of equipment and chemicals
specific instructions for staff
Method of assessment may include:
Observation of work performance
Written tasks
Interviewing and questioning
Formal appraisal systems
Staff/client feedback
Portfolio/CV
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to achieve required cleaning outcomes in specific work environments and communities
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
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 this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations relevant to an identified work role
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace
Resources for assessment may include access to materials and space as required to demonstrate competence, such as:
relevant organisation policies and procedures
cleaning schedules
other documentation relevant to the work context such as:
floor plans
instructions for the use of equipment and chemicals
specific instructions for staff
Method of assessment may include:
Observation of work performance
Written tasks
Interviewing and questioning
Formal appraisal systems
Staff/client feedback
Portfolio/CV
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to achieve required cleaning outcomes in specific work environments and communities
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8331 | HLTMS206C | Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVZ71 | HLTHSS003 | Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J064 | HLT32412 | Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance | Qualification |
| J052 | HLT21212 | Certificate II in Health Support Services | Qualification |