Application
Functions at this level require: a thorough overview of steam production and quality, and steriliser construction and operation in relation to AS/NZS4187 and AS1410 significant contribution to work practice improvement policies and procedures, and problem solving skills |
Prerequisites
Pre-requisite units | This unit must be assessed after successful achievement of pre-requisites: HLTSTE407C Manage availability and effectiveness of reusable medical devices HLTSTE408C Manage effectiveness of reprocessing of reusable medical devices |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Contribute to planning preventative maintenance for steam and sterilisers | 1.1 Ensure maintenance schedules are met with regard to standards 1.2 Apply practice standards to monitor processes of the sterilisation cycle 1.3 Assess the data from monitoring of processes to ensure sterilisers functioning correctly to achieve validation of the sterilisation cycle 1.4 Manage trouble shooting for steriliser failure |
2. Assess data from monitoring processes | 2.1 Ensure planned maintenance schedules are met with regard to standards 2.2 Take action where discrepancies are identified to facilitate repair 2.3 Report any issues outside sphere of responsibility and competence to designated authority to achieve validation of the sterilisation cycle 2.4 Liaise with engineering and technical services departments and companies 2.5 Initiate change processes when required |
3. Maintain records | 3.1 Complete records of results of monitoring, according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures 3.2 Complete records of all equipment maintenance and repair |
4. Contribute to organisation and operational policies and procedures | 4.1 Provide input into organisation policies and procedures to ensure compliance with AS/NZS 4187 and AS 1410 4.2 Monitor and if necessary, adjust work practices to reflect AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures 4.3 Maintain currency via literature and manufacturer's information relevant to the effectiveness of sterilisation processes |
5. Liaise with maintenance personnel/technicians | 5.1 Liaise with maintenance personnel/technicians to determine when not to use a particular sterilizer 5.2 Liaise with maintenance personnel/ technicians to identify reasons for not using a particular steriliser 5.3 Determine circumstances in which maintenance personnel should be summoned |
6. Complete validation processes | 6.1 Complete validation, following installation qualification, operational qualification and performance qualification processes 6.2 Complete documentation requirements as outlined in AS/NZS 4187 |
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: Air detector function test (in detail) and air detector performance test Air detector function, operation, adjustment and testing Detailed knowledge of infection control principles as they affect the sterilisation work environment Detailed knowledge of the processes of maintaining and using tracking systems Detailed knowledge of the record keeping requirements of AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures Detailed knowledge of the working of all equipment and machinery used in the sterilisation cycle and support equipment eg boilers and steam reticulation Load release issues, including the variety of acceptable monitoring criteria suitable for load release Methods used to audit machine performance and report discrepancies WHS policies, guidelines and symbols and there relevance to working in the sterilisation area Operation, monitoring and performance testing of downward displacement steam sterilizers and limitations on types of possible items for sterilization Relevant state/territory guidelines for sterilising services Routine monitoring, including: trends in leak rate test results and appropriate action trends air removal test results and appropriate action Steam supply requirements including: issues about boiler types and their location steam piping and steam delivery requirements testing for steam quality - dry saturated steam, superheat measurement and management Standards, including AS/NZS 4187, AS 4815 and AS1410 and all relevant infection prevention guidelines, especially in relation to the care of reusable medical equipment The importance of sterilisation technology as a contribution to client safety and the relationship to well maintained reusable medical equipment The legal responsibilities of health care providers in relation to confidentiality, client rights, duty of care and implications of negligence |
Essential skills: It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to: Accurately complete all documentation Address WHS, infection control and manual handling requirements Address performance and maintenance requirements of machinery used in cleaning and sterilisation processes Apply knowledge of the importance of sterilisation technology as a contribution to client safety Comply with AS/NZS 4187, AS1410 and AS/NZS 4815 for sterilisation purposes, especially in relation to the care and maintenance of 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: Apply AS/NZS 4187 and AS1410 to organisation policies and procedures Apply AS/NZS 4187 and AS1410, organisation policies and procedures to work practices Develop sterilizing department policies related to load release Identify possible sterilizer related causes of wet loads and perform trouble shooting to address occurrences of wet loads Interpret reports arising from air detector testing Maintain data and record systems Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues, including appropriate practices to ensure efficient use of resources Undertake routine monitoring, including: identify trends in leak rate test results and determine appropriate action identify trends air removal test results and determine appropriate action select and use appropriate process challenge devices Use and monitor low temperature sterilizers (peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide plasma), including: loading and operation physical, chemical and biological monitoring maintenance by operators liaison with service contractors Use literacy, numeracy and oral communication skills required to fulfil the position in a safe manner as specified by the health care facility Use methods to audit machine performance Use problem solving skills - the ability to use available resources and prioritise workload |
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 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 Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace |
Context of and specific resources for assessment: | Assessment must be in workplace and under conditions Resources essential for assessment include access to: relevant workplace monitoring and tracking systems manufacturers' guidelines training records Australian Standards, government and organisation policies and procedures |
Method of assessment | Observation in the work place essential Written assignments/projects Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice. Questioning |
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 |
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. | |
Steriliser construction and operation must include: | Steam quality Pre-vacuum steam steriliser Load retaining device Chamber cleaning accessories Water quality (feed and service) Steam source Reticulation Trapping Solenoids Drain lines Air removal pumps Vacuum pump Steris operational parameters, etc. Hydrogen Peroxide plasma operational parameters etc |
Investigation of defects and failures may include: | Defects in: lagging steam traps gradient of pipes Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in boiler Pressure failure Assembly and packaging failure |
Monitoring and accessory equipment may include: | Performance qualification equipment Throttling calorimeters Non-condensable gas testing Superheat Thermocouple equipment Physical parametric process recorders, including: printouts graphics and chart recorders information technology data systems computerised systems External chemical indicators Internal chemical indicators Biological indicators and incubators, and enzymatic indicators Dryness testing Process challenge devices Performance qualification equipment, including: computerised data loggers thermocoupling devices Leak rate test Bowie Dick type air removal test |
Quality management documentation must include: | Monitoring, fault analysis, maintenance of sterilisers and steam quality Non-conformance/non-compliance reporting Validation reports Pressure vessel certificates Fault registers Communication register Documentation relating to the non-conformance/non-compliance (fault detection, reporting and rectification) |
Sectors
Not Applicable
Employability Skills
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Licensing Information
Not Applicable