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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Select and prepare operating theatre equipment
   • Identify equipment and consumables requirements, based on consultation with operating theatre team, review of operating list and surgeon preferences
   • Set up, correctly position, and check equipment and consumables in accordance with standard and additional infection control procedures
   • Assemble, connect and test components in accordance with specific equipment requirements
   • Re-position equipment during theatre procedures, as required by specific procedure
   • Accurately document the use of theatre equipment as required
   • Withdraw from use and replace equipment if considered not safe for use
3. Support equipment maintenance
   • Identify and correctminor equipment problems within scope of own job role
   • Refer equipment maintenance to a specialist as required by scope and nature of problem and organisation policy and procedures
   • Maintain accurate maintenance log book as required
   • Schedule equipment for maintenance based on the needs of the operating theatre
   • Maintain communication with relevant operating theatre staff in relation to equipment maintenance
4. Disassemble and store operating theatre equipment
   • Follow shut-down procedures in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations
   • Assemble and disassemble equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and manual task risk principles
   • Dispose of waste in accordance with infection control protocols and organisation policies and procedures
   • Clean equipment using cleaning agent suited to the equipment and in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
   • Safely store equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and manual task risk principles
5. Contribute to operating theatre operations
   • Provide clear and correct instructions on equipment operation to individual members of the theatre team as required
   • Review equipment effectiveness from a theatre technician’s perspective and provide feedback to relevant personnel
   • Participate as required in team evaluations of equipment being considered for potential purchase and share information from the theatre technician’s perspective

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

followed established technical, infection control and safety procedures and instructions for set-up, shut-down, cleaning and storage of operating theatre equipment on at least 3 occasions

performed routine maintenance procedures on at least 3 different types of equipment

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

scope of operating theatre technician role in working with equipment, including limitations

medico-legal implications in relation to the use of equipment by the technician in the operating suite environment

standard and additional infection control procedures that apply to:

the operating theatre environment

equipment within the operating theatre

types of theatre equipment and their purpose, including:

theatre fixtures and fittings

furniture

surgical equipment

consumables and their sustainable use

features of operating theatre equipment in relation to:

set up

assembly and connection

preparation for use

safe manual handling and risk factors for manual tasks

intra-operative client safety considerations concerning the location and movement of equipment

routine equipment maintenance procedures, including:

checking

calibration

cleaning

replacement of consumables

scheduled maintenance

types of problems that occur with operating theatre equipment and when specialist maintenance is required

procedures for organising specialist maintenance

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