Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare packing area
- Prepare and inspect items
- Identify items requiring specific priority
- Sort items according to type, size and density for appropriate packaging material and method, as per organisation policies and procedures
- Inspect items for cleanliness and dryness and reprocess where required
- Inspect items for functionality and completeness according to manufacturer's guidelines and organisation policies and procedures
- Re-assemble multi-part items for checking and disassemble or sufficiently loosen prior to packaging and sterilisation to ensure sterilant contact on all surfaces
- Prepare and inspect items for functionality and life expectancy with consideration of the continued care and maintenance of general and specialised instruments including microsurgical, insulated, handpieces, power tools and endoscopic equipment, according to AS/NZS 4187, manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
- Use illuminated magnifier appropriately
- Lubricate moving parts where necessary and according to AS/NZS 4187, manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
- Identify loan items and implantable items and process according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
- Identify, report, remove and/or replace damaged/faulty items and items due for preventative maintenance
- Report missing items according to organisation policies and protocols
- Assemble and package thermally disinfected items for transfer to appropriate location
- Assemble and package items
- Select packaging materials and technique with reference to sterilisation mode, and according to AS/NZS 4187, and organisation policies and procedures
- Select, inspect and prepare instrument trays or rigid sterilisation containers according to AS/NZS 4187, manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
- Assemble trays/rigid containers of instruments against check lists
- Open and unlock items with hinges/ratchets
- Disassemble/loosen multi-part instruments
- Protect delicate and sharp items in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
- Select appropriate packaging material
- Package hollow ware items with all openings facing the same direction
- Use chemical indicators according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
- Pack, secure and label packages to comply with aseptic retrieval principles
- Close and secure rigid sterilisation containers with external tamper-proof clips, chemical indicators and labels, according to manufacturer's specifications
- Use appropriate manual handling when assembling and packing items
- Complete quality assurance documentation according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
- Operate equipment
- Select and operate equipment correctly and safely
- Complete routine cleaning and performance monitoring and maintenance of heat sealing equipment according to AS/NZS 4187, manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
- Use appropriate manual handling when operating equipment and ergonomic packing tables and anti-fatigue matting