Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:11 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:11 PM 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.
Facilitate effective steam steriliser function
Facilitate effective steam steriliser function
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTSTE409B
HLTSTE409B
State Code
D8517
D8517
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/11/2011
Field of Education
019909 - Laboratory Technology
Original Release Date
15/11/2011
Nominal Hours
70
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and facilitate management of the steam quality and pre-vacuum steam sterilisers to ensure compliance with AS/NZS4187 and AS1410The worker is required to understand the workings and optimal operational requirements of steam sources, reticulation and operational requirements for pre-vacuum steam sterilisers
Notes
Elements and 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 (eg. wet loads), using a multidisciplinary approach and including investigation of defects and failures
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
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)
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)
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 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
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
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9517 | HLTSTE409A | Facilitate effective steam steriliser function | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD298 | HLTSTE409C | Facilitate effective steam steriliser function | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D082 | HLT43807 | Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services | Qualification |