HLTTH404D
Provide routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide basic maintenance support, equipment set-up and other routine duties in relation to operating theatre equipment

Application

Work performed requires a broad knowledge, a range of well developed skills and the ability to apply known solutions to a range of predictable problems. Individuals use discretion and judgement and take responsibility for their own outputs

All tasks are conducted in accordance with organisation policies and procedures including WHS and infection control guidelines


Prerequisites

Not Applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Select and prepare operating theatre equipment for use by the operating team

1.1 Identify equipment and equipment consumables required for each theatre case , referencing with the operating theatre team, operating list and surgeon preferences

1.2 Set up equipment and consumables, correctly position and check in accordance with organisation policy and procedures and manufacturer's specifications

1.3 Assemble, connect and test components as required

1.4 Re-position equipment during theatre procedures as required

1.5 Document the use of theatre equipment if required

1.6 Withdraw from use and replace equipment if considered not safe for use

2. Provide operational and maintenance support to operating theatre equipment

2.1 Identify minor equipment problems

2.2 Correct minor equipment problems are corrected

2.3 Ensure equipment is referred to a maintenance specialist for appropriate maintenance

2.4 Maintain maintenance log book as required by organisation policy and procedure

2.5 Schedule equipment for maintenance according to the needs of the operating theatre

2.6 Maintain communication with relevant operating theatre staff in relation to equipment maintenance

3. Disassemble and store operating theatre equipment safely

3.1 Follow shut-down procedures in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations

3.2 Correctly assemble and disassemble equipment as required

3.3 Clean equipment in accordance with organisation policy and procedures

3.4 Safely store equipment in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations

4. Orient theatre team to operating theatre equipment

4.1 Provide instruction on equipment operation to individual members of the theatre team as required by supervisor

4.2 Provide in-service training on basic equipment operation as required

5. Participate in operating theatre equipment evaluations

5.1 Participate as required in team evaluations of equipment being considered for potential purchase

5.2 Assess equipment from a theatre technician's perspective

5.3 Provide advice to the team evaluation as required

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

Infection control policy and procedures in relation to operating theatre equipment

Intra-operative client safety concerning the location and movement of equipment

Medical and operating room terms used relevant to the worker's role

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

Work health and safety (WHS) procedures in relation to operating theatre equipment

Relevant anatomy and physiology required to appreciate the set-up and operation of operating theatre equipment

Surgical and interventional procedures undertaken in the operating theatre

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Apply operating theatre equipment cleaning procedures

Comply with client privacy requirements

Follow procedures for timely set-up, trouble-shooting, shut-down, cleaning and storage of operating theatre equipment

Identify basic and routine faults and problems with operating theatre equipment

Identify the range and purpose of a range of operating theatre equipment and consumables

Perform minor maintenance procedures

Recognise boundary of role in relation to maintenance of operating theatre equipment

Recognise hazards related to the use of each item of a range of operating theatre equipment

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

Communicate with health professionals

Communicate with maintenance engineers and technicians

Deal with conflict

Display empathy with clients and relatives

Solve problems including an ability to use available resources

continued ...

Essential skills (contd):

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Undertake basic training and instruction skills

Undertake use of appropriate cleaning chemicals

Use and position client padding and other aids for adult and/or paediatric clients

Use oral communication skills as required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation, including skills in:

asking questions

providing clear information

listening to and understanding workplace instructions

clarifying workplace instructions when necessary

effective verbal and non verbal communication with a range of internal and external persons

literacy in English

Use reading and writing skills as required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by organisation at a level of skill that includes the ability to understand symbols used in WHS signs, reading workplace safety pamphlets or procedure manuals, and reading labels

Use numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations

Work cooperatively as a member of the theatre team

Work with others and display empathy with client and relatives

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Access to appropriate workplace and a range of operating theatre equipment where assessment can take place

Simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment

Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols

Equipment manufacturer's operating and maintenance manuals

Method of assessment

Observation of work activities when providing routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite

Observation of simulation and/or role play when providing routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite

Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care

Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses/

Recognition of relevant life/work experience

Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge

Authenticated reports of experience providing routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suit (Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)

Training records associated with work health and safety (WHS) training, orientation/induction training, safe manual handing, universal infection control procedures

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Related units:

This unit can be assessed independently

However holistic assessment practice with other health services units of competency is encouraged


Range Statement

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Operating theatre equipment or equipment may be in a adult, women's or paediatric hospital operating theatre suite, day surgical unit or day procedure unit, and may include:

Phacoemulsification machine

Endoscopic equipment

Diathermy

Arthroscopic equipment

Operating chairs

Operating tables and accessories

Positioning aids and equipment

Traction kits

Knee immobilisers

Shoulder straps

Cervical straps

Lasers

Monitors and camera tower

Theatre lights

Printers videos

Lithoplast

Lithoclast/lithotripter

Saws/drills

Orthopaedic surgical equipment

Orthopaedic frames

Microscopes

Gas cylinders, regulators and flow meters

Warming equipment

Tourniquet

Insufflator/laparoflater

Electrical and air-powered equipment

Calf compressors/stimulators

Light sources

Waste receptacles

Gel pressure care pads

Hair clippers

Pat slide

Image intensifier/lead gowns

continued ...

Operating theatre equipment or equipment may be in an adult, women's or paediatric hospital operating theatre suite, day surgical unit or day procedure unit, and may include:
(contd)

CUSA

Cell saver

Cryogen

Headlights

Light sources

Smoke evacuators

Suction equipment

Stealth/Medrex

Resuscitation cot/porta cot

Equipment consumables may include:

Paper

Video cassettes

Diathermy plates

ECG dots

Fluids

Plasters

Stockinette

Camera film

Absorbent under pads

Suction liners/tubing

Pat slide spray

Insufflator filters

Globes

TED stockings

Waste bags

Operating theatre team may include:

Registered nurses

Enrolled nurses

Surgeons

Anaesthetists

Other medical practitioners

Perfusionists

Other operating theatre staff

Radiography staff

Operating theatre support staff

Checking may include

Calibration of equipment

Ensuring equipment is clean

Ensuring equipment is in working order

:

Organisation policy and procedures may refer to:

Infection control

Work health and safety (WHS)

Equipment handling and set-up procedures

Safe placement and positioning of equipment and cables

Documentation on use of equipment

Cleaning

Use of personal protective equipment

Maintenance procedures

Maintenance records

Electrical hazards

Minor equipment problems may require:

Change of light bulb

Focus adjustment

Cleaning of lens

Replacement of cable

Reconnections

Change of saw blade

Adjustment of gas pressures

Maintenance specialist may include:

Biomedical technician or engineer

Hospital Engineer

Appropriate maintenance of equipment may refer to:

Safety and function testing

Routine scheduled maintenance

As specified in the manufacturer's maintenance manual

Breakdown maintenance

Instruction on equipment operation and in-service training on basic equipment may include:

Set-up and shut down procedures

Basic fault finding

Assembly and connection procedures

Preparation of equipment for use

But does NOT include:

instruction or training on the operation and use of equipment by health professionals for the purpose of surgical or interventional procedures


Sectors

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

This unit contains Employability Skills


Licensing Information

Not Applicable