Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to clean, sterilise and package reusable medical devices and equipment.
This unit applies to workers in office based health practice settings such as general practitioner (GP) surgeries, dental practices and other environments where a limited range of sterilisation equipment may be available. They follow established procedures and work under general supervision.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Prepare to clean used items | 1.1 Follow safe work practices and infection prevention and control in accordance with legislative and workplace guidelines 1.2 Sort reusable medical devices and safely dispose of single use devices 1.3 Segregate and dispose of waste according to organisation and legislative requirements 1.4 Disassemble reusable medical devices and equipment for cleaning and disinfection according to manufacturer’s instructions |
2. Clean and dry used items | 2.1 Maintain work flow protocols in reprocessing area 2.2 Interpret safety data sheet (SDS) and select required cleaning products 2.3 Select cleaning processes based on manufacturer’s recommendations and evaluation of reusable medical devices construction and composition 2.4 Use cleaning methods that avoid the generation of aerosols 2.5 Make accurate calculations for the preparation of cleaning chemicals 2.6 Dry and inspect reusable medical devices for cleanliness and damage |
3. Prepare and pack items for sterilisation | 3.1 Open and unlock reusable medical devices with hinges or ratchets 3.2 Prepare instrument trays in accordance with workplace protocols 3.3 Package or wrap reusable medical devices in a manner that prevents damage to delicate items 3.4 Use chemical indicator according to standards 3.5 Pack, secure and label sterile barrier systems (SBS) to comply with aseptic removal principles |
4. Sterilise loads | 4.1 Interpret and apply manufacturer recommendations for cleaning and checking of steriliser and accessory equipment. 4.2 Correctly use the numerical and other features of the steriliser and operate in accordance with manufacturer instructions 4.3 Assign cycle and batch control number and complete documentation. 4.4 Load steriliser to ensure sterilant contact and according to standards 4.5 Remove sterilised load immediately on completion of cycle 4.6 Follow criteria for release of processed items considering manual task risk factors |
5. Comply with quality management requirements | 5.1 Interpret and adhere to operational monitoring and testing, performance qualification and maintenance of sterilisers and associated equipment 5.2 Comply with documentation requirements for sterilisation cycles, batch control and load release 5.3 Report and document all steriliser faults, malfunction and load non-conformance 5.4 Store documentation in accordance with organisation procedures |
Evidence of Performance
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 organisation procedures, work processes, safe manual handling requirements and national standards for the reprocessing of reusable medical devices on at least 3 occasions
operated and monitored reprocessing equipment on at least 1 occasion
identified and responded to routine process and maintenance problems and variations
Evidence of Knowledge
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:
roles and responsibilities of those involved in reprocessing in different health contexts
safe work practices, standard precautions and organisation protocols for the reprocessing and storage of reusable medical devices
risk factors associated with manual tasks and safe manual handling techniques
key aspects of Spauldings classification
safe work practices and standard precautions when handling and disposing of sharps
manual instrument cleaning techniques
procedures for use of:
steam sterilisers
thermal washer-disinfector
water and air pressure guns
automated lubrication device
drying cabinet
hermetic heat sealers
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations have not been provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely.
The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
infection control policies and procedures
soiled re-usable medical devices
operational cleaning and sterilising equipment
safety data sheets
manufacturer instructions
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
presence of time constraints for activities
presence of situations requiring problem solving
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. | |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. | |