Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to follow procedures for the sorting, inspection, cleaning and thermal disinfection of soiled reusable medical devices, including the effective use of equipment and completion of quality checks and documentation.
This unit applies to individuals working under general supervision and within established procedures in a range of health service organisations.
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 of a unit of competency | The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element |
1. Receive and sort contaminated items | 1.1 Follow procedures for collection and transport of items to the cleaning area as required 1.2 Sort reusable items and safely dispose of single use reusable medical devices 1.3 Check for completeness of set and for multi-part items 1.4 Identify and separate items requiring segregation or specialised processing 1.5 Identify and respond to priority processing requirements 1.6 Report faulty and damaged items to designated person |
2. Prepare contaminated items for cleaning and disinfection | 2.1 Complete initial pre-cleaning and waste removal processes 2.2 Prepare specialised items for specific cleaning procedures 2.3 Select cleaning processes and equipment based on manufacturer’s recommendations and evaluation of item construction and composition 2.4 Disassemble instruments for cleaning and disinfection according to manufacturer’s guidelines |
3. Complete cleaning and thermal disinfection processes | 3.1 Organise workflow using dirty to clean principle 3.2 Interpret operating instructions for cleaning and drying equipment, and test and prepare for use as per organisation procedures 3.3 Complete water quality tests as required 3.4 Select, use and correctly measure chemical products according to safety data sheets 3.5 Complete required manual cleaning with hot water rinsing and drying 3.6 Use soaking, flushing and brushing techniques as required for reusable medical devices with particular structures 3.7 Operate cleaning appliances using safe manual handling techniques 3.8 Select washer disinfector cycle based on required parameters for specific reusable medical devices 3.9 Minimise waste during the cleaning and disinfection process 3.10 Identify faulty or damaged equipment, and report to designated person |
4. Check quality of cleaning and thermal disinfection | 4.1 Inspect cleanliness and dryness according to standards and procedures 4.2 Monitor and document processes, check processes and respond to routine problems 4.3 Complete and archive quality management documentation according to organisation procedures 4.4 Identify faults or shortcomings in the cleaning and disinfection process and take action within scope of own work role |
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 established procedures, work processes and national standards for the sorting, disassembly, cleaning and thermal disinfection of reusable medical devices on at least 3 occasions:
identified and responded to routine process and maintenance problems and variations
addressed relevant work health and safety, infection control and manual task requirements
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:
existence and basic requirements of AS/NZS 4187, and its role in the sterilisation workplace
reusable medical devices (RMD) product families and associated cleaning requirements, including detergents and brushes
types and features of cleaning and drying equipment, and their monitoring and maintenance requirements
steps in the cleaning and disinfection work flow process and the reasons for design of work area
water quality testing processes
testing processes for cleaning equipment
key aspects of thermal disinfection, including:
terminology
conditions and parameters for thermal disinfection
lethality of a moist heat process for a range of temperatures
quality indicators for cleaning and disinfection processes
safe work practices in the cleaning area:
manual task risk factors and how to control for them
infection control and Spaulding’s classification
personal protective equipment (PPE)
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
reusable medical devices requiring cleaning
operational cleaning and drying equipment
cleaning procedures to be followed by the candidate
equipment operation manuals
personal protective equipment
quality assurance documentation
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
speed and timing requirements for the cleaning process
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. |