Assessor Resource

HLTSTE409C
Facilitate effective steam steriliser function

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Functions at this level require:

a thorough overview of steam production and quality, and steriliser construction and operation in relation to AS/NZS4187 and AS1410

significant contribution to work practice improvement policies and procedures, and problem solving skills

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and facilitate management of the steam quality and pre-vacuum steam sterilisers to ensure compliance with AS/NZS4187 and AS1410

The worker is required to understand the workings and optimal operational requirements of steam sources, reticulation and operational requirements for pre-vacuum steam sterilisers

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Pre-requisite units

This unit must be assessed after successful achievement of pre-requisites:

HLTSTE407C Manage availability and effectiveness of reusable medical devices

HLTSTE408C Manage effectiveness of reprocessing of reusable medical devices

Employability Skills

This unit contains Employability Skills



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Assessment must be in workplace and under conditions

Resources essential for assessment include access to:

relevant workplace

monitoring and tracking systems

manufacturers' guidelines

training records

Australian Standards, government and organisation policies and procedures

Method of assessment

Observation in the work place essential

Written assignments/projects

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.

Questioning

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

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

Air detector function test (in detail) and air detector performance test

Air detector function, operation, adjustment and testing

Detailed knowledge of infection control principles as they affect the sterilisation work environment

Detailed knowledge of the processes of maintaining and using tracking systems

Detailed knowledge of the record keeping requirements of AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures

Detailed knowledge of the working of all equipment and machinery used in the sterilisation cycle and support equipment eg boilers and steam reticulation

Load release issues, including the variety of acceptable monitoring criteria suitable for load release

Methods used to audit machine performance and report discrepancies

WHS policies, guidelines and symbols and there relevance to working in the sterilisation area

Operation, monitoring and performance testing of downward displacement steam sterilizers and limitations on types of possible items for sterilization

Relevant state/territory guidelines for sterilising services

Routine monitoring, including:

trends in leak rate test results and appropriate action

trends air removal test results and appropriate action

Steam supply requirements including:

issues about boiler types and their location

steam piping and steam delivery requirements

testing for steam quality - dry saturated steam, superheat measurement and management

Standards, including AS/NZS 4187, AS 4815 and AS1410 and all relevant infection prevention guidelines, especially in relation to the care of reusable medical equipment

The importance of sterilisation technology as a contribution to client safety and the relationship to well maintained reusable medical equipment

The legal responsibilities of health care providers in relation to confidentiality, client rights, duty of care and implications of negligence

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Accurately complete all documentation

Address WHS, infection control and manual handling requirements

Address performance and maintenance requirements of machinery used in cleaning and sterilisation processes

Apply knowledge of the importance of sterilisation technology as a contribution to client safety

Comply with AS/NZS 4187, AS1410 and AS/NZS 4815 for sterilisation purposes, especially in relation to the care and maintenance of equipment

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

Apply AS/NZS 4187 and AS1410 to organisation policies and procedures

Apply AS/NZS 4187 and AS1410, organisation policies and procedures to work practices

Develop sterilizing department policies related to load release

Identify possible sterilizer related causes of wet loads and perform trouble shooting to address occurrences of wet loads

Interpret reports arising from air detector testing

Maintain data and record systems

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues, including appropriate practices to ensure efficient use of resources

Undertake routine monitoring, including:

identify trends in leak rate test results and determine appropriate action

identify trends air removal test results and determine appropriate action

select and use appropriate process challenge devices

Use and monitor low temperature sterilizers (peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide plasma), including:

loading and operation

physical, chemical and biological monitoring

maintenance by operators

liaison with service contractors

Use literacy, numeracy and oral communication skills required to fulfil the position in a safe manner as specified by the health care facility

Use methods to audit machine performance

Use problem solving skills - the ability to use available resources and prioritise workload

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.

Steriliser construction and operation must include:

Steam quality

Pre-vacuum steam steriliser

Load retaining device

Chamber cleaning accessories

Water quality (feed and service)

Steam source

Reticulation

Trapping

Solenoids

Drain lines

Air removal pumps

Vacuum pump

Steris operational parameters, etc.

Hydrogen Peroxide plasma operational parameters etc

Investigation of defects and failures may include:

Defects in:

lagging

steam traps

gradient of pipes

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in boiler

Pressure failure

Assembly and packaging failure

Monitoring and accessory equipment may include:

Performance qualification equipment

Throttling calorimeters

Non-condensable gas testing

Superheat

Thermocouple equipment

Physical parametric process recorders, including:

printouts

graphics and chart recorders

information technology data systems

computerised systems

External chemical indicators

Internal chemical indicators

Biological indicators and incubators, and enzymatic indicators

Dryness testing

Process challenge devices

Performance qualification equipment, including:

computerised data loggers

thermocoupling devices

Leak rate test

Bowie Dick type air removal test

Quality management documentation must include:

Monitoring, fault analysis, maintenance of sterilisers and steam quality

Non-conformance/non-compliance reporting

Validation reports

Pressure vessel certificates

Fault registers

Communication register

Documentation relating to the non-conformance/non-compliance (fault detection, reporting and rectification)

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Ensure maintenance schedules are met with regard to standards 
Apply practice standards to monitor processes of the sterilisation cycle 
Assess the data from monitoring of processes to ensure sterilisers functioning correctly to achieve validation of the sterilisation cycle 
Manage trouble shooting for steriliser failure (eg. wet loads), using a multidisciplinary approach and including investigation of defects and failures 
Ensure planned maintenance schedules are met with regard to standards 
Take action where discrepancies are identified to facilitate repair 
Report any issues outside sphere of responsibility and competence to designated authority to achieve validation of the sterilisation cycle 
Liaise with engineering and technical services departments and companies 
Initiate change processes when required 
Complete records of results of monitoring, according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures 
Complete records of all equipment maintenance and repair 
Provide input into organisation policies and procedures to ensure compliance with AS/NZS 4187 and AS 1410 
Monitor and if necessary, adjust work practices to reflect AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures 
Maintain currency via literature and manufacturer's information relevant to the effectiveness of sterilisation processes 
Liaise with maintenance personnel/technicians to determine when not to use a particular sterilizer 
Liaise with maintenance personnel/ technicians to identify reasons for not using a particular steriliser 
Determine circumstances in which maintenance personnel should be summoned 
Complete validation, following installation qualification, operational qualification and performance qualification processes 
Complete documentation requirements as outlined in AS/NZS 4187 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTSTE409C - Facilitate effective steam steriliser function
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

HLTSTE409C - Facilitate effective steam steriliser function

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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