Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:52 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:52 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.
Practise in the perioperative nursing environment
Practise in the perioperative nursing environment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTEN612B
HLTEN612B
State Code
D8236
D8236
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/07/2011
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
21/07/2011
Nominal Hours
100
Description
DescriptorThis competency unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply the principles of perioperative nursing care, building upon existing skills to enable the Enrolled/Division 2 nurse to provide holistic nursing careEnrolled/Division 2 nurses use a range of complex nursing interventions to assist client/s, and their significant others, to attain and maintain optimal health
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Work as part of the multi-disciplinary health care team in the perioperative environment
- 1.1 Contribute appropriately to support the role of the multi-disciplinary health care team in managing care needs of clients in the perioperative environment
- 1.2 Contribute to achieving effective team work and supportive group dynamics when working with health care colleagues
- 1.3 Establish appropriate relationships with other members of the health care team
- 1.4 Incorporate into practice the philosophical framework for managing care for the client in the perioperative environment
- 1.5 Recognise the role of emergency service personnel, referring agencies and other hospital department staff as contributors to the initial/emergency care needs of the client in the perioperative environment
- 1.6 Maintain professional communication with all members of the perioperative team
2. Contribute to assessment of client undergoing surgical intervention
- 2.1 Perform a holistic assessment of the client within the perioperative environment in conjunction with registered nurse/midwife, taking into account the client's physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs
- 2.2 Recognise significant findings in physiological and/or psychological variables promptly and report to appropriate health team members
- 2.3 Use contemporary perioperative assessment tools accurately
- 2.4 Communicate effectively with clients, their significant others and other health team members
- 2.5 Provide holistic client centred care in the perioperative environment
- 2.6 Document perioperative assessment including any special needs identified for the client
3. Contribute to planning care for perioperative client
- 3.1 Develop an individualised plan of care for client in the perioperative environment in conjunction with registered nurse/midwife and in consultation/collaboration with the client and the health care team
- 3.2 Participate with registered nurse/midwife to ensure nursing care plan reflects specific nursing care requirements in accordance with health unit policy
- 3.3 Participate with registered nurse/ midwife to ensure care plan reflects client's current nursing needs and nursing actions designed to maximise physical function and minimise potential complications
- 3.4 Demonstrate understanding of risk management principles in planning client care
- 3.5 Confirm that planned care and therapeutic interventions aim to assist client/s to achieve optimal health outcomes
- 3.6 Identify requirements of client (and identified significant other/s) for health promotion and education to enhance implementation of nursing care plan
- 3.7 Carry out regular review of plan of care and, in conjunction with registered nurse/ midwife, modify to reflect changes in client condition
- 3.8 Identify and report any potential for adverse client outcome, using information gained through perioperative assessment
- 3.9 In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse, ensure health teaching and discharge planning is incorporated into practice, in line with established policies and procedures for discharge/transfer
4. Perform clinical nursing actions appropriate to care of perioperative clients
- 4.1 Prioritise nursing interventions according to client needs, in conjunction with registered nurse/ midwife
- 4.2 Modify nursing interventions using critical thinking and problem solving approaches, to reflect changes in client condition
- 4.3 Perform nursing interventions to assist client (and significant other/s) to meet expected outcomes of nursing care plan, including health promotion and/or education
- 4.4 Maintain a safe environment appropriate for the age specific population
- 4.5 Monitor nursing interventions, identify any that fail to address client needs and revise them in consultation/collaboration with the health care team
- 4.6 Perform contemporary nursing interventions for the client within the perioperative environment as part of the health care team
- 4.7 In conjunction with registered nurse/ midwife, implement an individualised plan of care for the client within the perioperative environment
- 4.8 Recognise environmental hazards and take advantage of every opportunity to reduce risk and promote safety
- 4.9 Check equipment according to manufacturer recommendations, ensure proper functioning and take corrective action and report when faulty equipment and/or environmental hazards are detected
- 4.10 Apply the principles of infection control to all activities within the perioperative environment, applying a surgical conscience at all times in line with ACORN standards
- 4.11 Ensure appropriate perioperative diagnostic procedures are undertaken in line with organisation policies and procedures
- 4.12 Implement appropriate perioperative surgical procedures in line with organisation policies and procedures
- 4.13 Ensure medication administration is based on sound knowledge of principles of drug actions and side effects in accordance with health unit policies and procedures
5. Evaluate effectiveness of nursing interventions and planned care in the perioperative environment
- 5.1 Evaluate responses of client/s and identified significant other/s to nursing interventions, and modify and document in accordance with health unit policy and in conjunction with registered nurse/ midwife
- 5.2 Assess client understanding of their condition, medications and therapeutic regimes prior to discharge/transfer
- 5.3 Evaluate client acceptance of specific health promotion initiatives prior to discharge/transfer
- 5.4 Assess and review understanding of identified significant other/s in relation to current condition of client and their ongoing management
- 5.5 Monitor client's response to nursing interventions and progress toward planned goals, and document and report to the appropriate members of the health care team
- 5.6 Identify appropriate emergency response to adverse reactions or perioperative complications and initiate as required
- 5.7 Report and document any emergency treatment and the client's response to the treatment
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.
Clients may include:
Inpatients
Outpatients
ranging from neonates to the frail aged client
Health care setting may include:
Perioperative
Hospital setting
Free standing Day Surgery/Ambulatory Care facility
Multidisciplinary health care team members may include:
Nurses
Surgeons
Anaesthetists
Support Staff including, SSD Technical Aids, Wardsmen, Porters, Stockroom Assistants, Clerical Support.
Allied health staff including, radiographers and physiotherapists
Client assessment may include:
Performance of activities of daily living
Loss of physical function
Perceptions of pain
Accompanying trauma or injury
Self image and body image concerns
Impact on family or significant others
Expectations of surgical procedure
Expectations of post operative procedures
Levels of mobility
Presence of co-morbidities and previous medical history
Skin integrity
Previous surgical intervention
Fear and anxiety associated with surgical intervention
Psycho social considerations
Physiological alterations associated with surgical intervention
Preoperative, Intraoperative and Postoperative complications
Accompanying trauma or injury
Level of client knowledge regarding their surgical experience
Planning appropriate care may include:
Perioperative nursing records
Nursing care plans
Observation sheets
Anaesthetic records
Medical record
Computerized operation notes
Clinical pathways
Treatment plans
Discharge plans
Community referrals
Health teaching
Rehabilitation plans
Theatre booking processes
Evaluation of planned outcomes may include:
Monitoring of clients response to surgical procedure
Clarification of client understanding of health teaching, discharge planning or return appointment schedule
Client understanding of care needs post discharge
Actual and potential problems may include but are not limited to:
Electrolyte imbalance
Fluid overload
Reduced CO2
Hypoxia/Hypoxaemia
Sepsis
Haemorrhage
Neurovascular damage
Cerebral Vascular Accident
Arrhythmia
Clinical nursing skills may include but are not limited to::
Airway management
Use of suction equipment
Maintenance of normothermia
Preoperative nursing assessment
Preparing the client for anaesthesia and surgical intervention
Practice in the various roles of the perioperative nurse under the supervision of the Registered Nurse
Positioning of the client for surgical intervention
Medication management
Urinary catheterisation (female clients)
Physiological monitoring equipment
Role in transfusion / fluid management
Assessment and monitoring of haemo dynamic status and fluid replacement therapies
Handover to post anaesthesia care unit
Principles of decontamination and sterilization
Material resource management
Aseptic technique
Management of the client in the post anaesthetic care unit
Caring for the immediate post-operative client Post-operative monitoring(delete)
Airway management in the post anaesthesia care unit
Preparation of the perioperative environment
Discharge planning considerations
Handover&documentation
Client education
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.
Clients may include:
Inpatients
Outpatients
ranging from neonates to the frail aged client
Health care setting may include:
Perioperative
Hospital setting
Free standing Day Surgery/Ambulatory Care facility
Multidisciplinary health care team members may include:
Nurses
Surgeons
Anaesthetists
Support Staff including, SSD Technical Aids, Wardsmen, Porters, Stockroom Assistants, Clerical Support.
Allied health staff including, radiographers and physiotherapists
Client assessment may include:
Performance of activities of daily living
Loss of physical function
Perceptions of pain
Accompanying trauma or injury
Self image and body image concerns
Impact on family or significant others
Expectations of surgical procedure
Expectations of post operative procedures
Levels of mobility
Presence of co-morbidities and previous medical history
Skin integrity
Previous surgical intervention
Fear and anxiety associated with surgical intervention
Psycho social considerations
Physiological alterations associated with surgical intervention
Preoperative, Intraoperative and Postoperative complications
Accompanying trauma or injury
Level of client knowledge regarding their surgical experience
Planning appropriate care may include:
Perioperative nursing records
Nursing care plans
Observation sheets
Anaesthetic records
Medical record
Computerized operation notes
Clinical pathways
Treatment plans
Discharge plans
Community referrals
Health teaching
Rehabilitation plans
Theatre booking processes
Evaluation of planned outcomes may include:
Monitoring of clients response to surgical procedure
Clarification of client understanding of health teaching, discharge planning or return appointment schedule
Client understanding of care needs post discharge
Actual and potential problems may include but are not limited to:
Electrolyte imbalance
Fluid overload
Reduced CO2
Hypoxia/Hypoxaemia
Sepsis
Haemorrhage
Neurovascular damage
Cerebral Vascular Accident
Arrhythmia
Clinical nursing skills may include but are not limited to::
Airway management
Use of suction equipment
Maintenance of normothermia
Preoperative nursing assessment
Preparing the client for anaesthesia and surgical intervention
Practice in the various roles of the perioperative nurse under the supervision of the Registered Nurse
Positioning of the client for surgical intervention
Medication management
Urinary catheterisation (female clients)
Physiological monitoring equipment
Role in transfusion / fluid management
Assessment and monitoring of haemo dynamic status and fluid replacement therapies
Handover to post anaesthesia care unit
Principles of decontamination and sterilization
Material resource management
Aseptic technique
Management of the client in the post anaesthetic care unit
Caring for the immediate post-operative client Post-operative monitoring(delete)
Airway management in the post anaesthesia care unit
Preparation of the perioperative environment
Discharge planning considerations
Handover&documentation
Client education
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
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Observation of clinical performance in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal or written
Role play in the clinical perioperative setting
Simulation in the clinical perioperative setting
Surgical Workbook
Experience Log
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
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Observation of clinical performance in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal or written
Role play in the clinical perioperative setting
Simulation in the clinical perioperative setting
Surgical Workbook
Experience Log
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9243 | HLTEN612A | Practise in the perioperative nursing environment | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVZ91 | HLTENN026 | Apply nursing practice in the perioperative setting | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D111 | HLT61107 | Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |