Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 4:59 AM AWST
23/07/2026 4:59 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Disinfect re-usable medical devices
Disinfect re-usable medical devices
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTSTE307C
HLTSTE307C
State Code
WD294
WD294
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
27/07/2012
Field of Education
019909 - Laboratory Technology
Original Release Date
27/07/2012
Nominal Hours
25
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to correctly and safely apply and monitor disinfection processes, including thermal and chemical disinfection
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for disinfection process
- 1.1 Identify disinfection requirements and check for thorough cleanliness of items to be disinfected
- 1.2 Classify instruments and client care equipment to Spauldings classification
- 1.3 Select an appropriate disinfection process in line with identified disinfection requirements and organisation policies and procedures
- 1.4 Identify workplace health and safety issues for thermal and chemical disinfection processes
2. Apply thermal disinfection processes
- 2.1 Assess workplace health and safety risks in the use of thermal disinfection and take appropriate action to control identified risks
- 2.2 Apply parameters for thermal disinfection to selection of duration and temperature of washer-disinfector cycles
- 2.3 Follow safe work practices in the thermal disinfection process and identify and report any variations from normal
- 2.4 Check printouts for thermal disinfection parameters
- 2.5 Complete documentation in line with organisation requirements
3. Apply chemical disinfection processes
- 3.1 Use the UN code, CAS code and flammability and toxicity information in SDSs to assess risks in the use of chemical disinfection and take appropriate action to control identified risks
- 3.2 Check disinfectants and disinfectant labelling for documented compliance with therapeutic goods regulations
- 3.3 Follow correct methods of use in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and relevant Australian standards and guidelines
- 3.4 Complete quality assurance documentation in line with organisation requirements
- 3.5 Monitor fume extraction
4. Monitor disinfection processes
- 4.1 Monitor chemical disinfection following manufacturer's instructions and organisation policies and procedures
- 4.2 Accurately use chemical test strip indicators
- 4.3 Monitor thermal disinfection and keep proof of process documentation in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
- 4.4 Observe thermocouple testing of washer-disinfector temperatures
- 4.5 Check thermal disinfector printouts for thermal disinfection parameters
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.
Relevant Australian standards may include:
AS 2945
AS 2711-1993
AS/NZS 4187
GENCA Guidelines
Monitoring and accessory equipment may include:
Physical parametric process recorders, including:
print outs
graphics and chart recorders
information technology data systems
Computerised systems, including:
label printers
scanners
workstations
Chemical indicators to test concentration of disinfectant
Microbiological testing of flexible endoscopes
Dryness testing
Process challenge devices
Performance qualification equipment, including:
computerised data loggers
thermocoupling devices
Quality management documentation may include:
Cycle, batch control and load description documentation
Washer-disinfector usage and utilisation
Volume of disinfected items by defined category
Cleaning, monitoring, testing, fault analysis and maintenance of washer-disinfectors and associated equipment
Dispatch/distribution by destination
Non-conformance/non-compliance reporting
Archiving and filing of disinfection records
Validation report
Proof of process
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.
Relevant Australian standards may include:
AS 2945
AS 2711-1993
AS/NZS 4187
GENCA Guidelines
Monitoring and accessory equipment may include:
Physical parametric process recorders, including:
print outs
graphics and chart recorders
information technology data systems
Computerised systems, including:
label printers
scanners
workstations
Chemical indicators to test concentration of disinfectant
Microbiological testing of flexible endoscopes
Dryness testing
Process challenge devices
Performance qualification equipment, including:
computerised data loggers
thermocoupling devices
Quality management documentation may include:
Cycle, batch control and load description documentation
Washer-disinfector usage and utilisation
Volume of disinfected items by defined category
Cleaning, monitoring, testing, fault analysis and maintenance of washer-disinfectors and associated equipment
Dispatch/distribution by destination
Non-conformance/non-compliance reporting
Archiving and filing of disinfection records
Validation report
Proof of process
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible. Acceptable simulation requires:
use of thermal and chemical disinfection equipment
using a full range of monitoring processes
Resources essential for assessment include access to:
relevant workplace or appropriately simulated environment where assessment can take place
Australian Standards, government and organisation policies and procedures
disinfection and monitoring equipment and accessories
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
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 should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible. Acceptable simulation requires:
use of thermal and chemical disinfection equipment
using a full range of monitoring processes
Resources essential for assessment include access to:
relevant workplace or appropriately simulated environment where assessment can take place
Australian Standards, government and organisation policies and procedures
disinfection and monitoring equipment and accessories
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
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8513 | HLTSTE307B | Disinfect re-usable medical devices | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUZ68 | HLTSTE006 | Chemically disinfect reusable medical devices | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J055 | HLT31112 | Certificate III in Sterilisation Services | Qualification |