Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to follow procedures for preparing, handling and inspecting of reusable medical devices during the reprocessing process.
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. Prepare and handle reusable medical devices during reprocessing | 1.1 Identify and sort reusable medical devices according to reprocessing requirements 1.2 Identify faulty reusable medical devices and report in line with relevant requirements, policies and procedures 1.3 Disassemble according to manufacturer’s guidelines 1.4 Complete initial cleaning and waste removal processes 1.5 Select preparation and cleaning processes suited to the design and composition of instruments |
2. Inspect cleaned reusable medical devices | 2.1 Inspect instruments during and after processing in line with requirements of specific item 2.2 Inspect instruments with textured surfaces for retained debris under lighted magnification 2.3 Inspect instruments for completeness and working function 2.4 Follow safe work practices to conduct insulation testing as required 2.5 Identify faults and address in line with 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 preparing, cleaning and inspecting of reusable medical devices on at least 3 occasions, including:
disassembly and re-assembly of multi-part reusable medical devices
inspection of reprocessed reusable medical devices, including:
scissors
box joints and screw joints
instruments with long shafts
prepared, cleaned and inspected a range of reusable medical devices, including:
solid items
those requiring disassembly
those with textured surfaces
delicate items
manual and powered items
cannulated items
blind ended instruments
identified and responded to routine process and maintenance problems and variations
addressed relevant work health and safety, infection control and manual handling 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:
duty of care and impact of instrument care on operative procedures and patient-care outcomes
existence and basic requirements of AS/NZS 4187, and its role in surgical instrument care
role of Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for manufacturing registration
product families both basic categories and instruments for specialties
use of reusable medical devices in different operative procedures
cleaning, testing and inspection requirements for reusable medical devices:
systems for identifying instruments
instrument design and composition and their relationship to reprocessing requirements
suitable detergents for different items
soaking to remove dyes and adhesives
leak testing and requirements for the processing of flexible endoscopes
lubrication requirements
importance of maintaining passivation layer
items requiring insulation testing and impact of insulation testing on client care
instrument repair requirements and process
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:
soiled reusable medical devices
operational cleaning and drying equipment
cleaning procedures to be followed by the candidate
personal protective equipment
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. |