Elements and Performance Criteria

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.


Safe work practices may include but are not limited to:
Treatment of all used items as a potential source of infection
Personal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands
Work practices for the safe handling of sharps
Work practices for the safe disposal of sharps and other clinical waste
The use of personal protective equipment:
heavy duty gloves
mask and protective eyewear
hair protection or covering
protective clothing and safety footwear
Safe handling, storage and disposal of chemicals
Safe handling techniques especially as they relate to lifting and handling dangerous and contaminated items


Legislative and workplace guidelines may be included in:
The current and endorsed version of the Australian/New Zealand Standards
Infection control guidelines for the transmission of infectious diseases in the health care setting
State or Territory legislative requirements
The Material Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals used
Organisation infection control policies and procedures
Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures


Waste may include but is not limited to:
Clinical waste:
discarded sharps
human tissues
laboratory waste
any other waste as specified by the workplace
Related waste:
radiographic waste
chemical and amalgam waste
cytotoxic waste
pharmaceutical waste
radioactive waste
General waste


Disposal of waste requirements may include:
Disposal in accordance with:
Environment Protection (Waste Management) Policy
Environment Protection (Waste Management) Regulations
Australian and New Zealand standards
Organisation policy


Work flow protocols may include:
Separate handwashing facilities
Sink suitable for disposal of liquid waste
Cleaning sink
One direction flow of instruments from contaminated to clean to sterile
Designated work area that is physically separate to prevent possible contamination of processed items
Identification and reporting of disruptions to work flow protocols in accordance with workplace procedures


Preparation of instruments for cleaning may include:
Sorting according to type of instrument and corresponding cleaning method
Written procedures for handling specialised items
Disassembly of instruments where possible for detergent to reach all surfaces
Checking for instrument defects, damage and missing parts


Selection and use of appropriate cleaning agents may include:
Meeting requirements of Product Data Bulletins and Materials Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals used


Cleaning methods may include:
Initial treatment of used instruments close to their point of use to decrease bioburden
Thermal washer/disinfector in accordance with current Australian/New Zealand Standards
Ultrasonic cleaner in accordance with current Australian/New Zealand Standards
Manual cleaning


Monitoring the cleaning process may include:
Visual inspection of all items for cleanliness and absence of detergent or rinse additive residues
Daily cleaning and maintenance of ultrasonic cleaner and washer/disinfector according to Australian/New Zealand Standards
Daily performance testing of ultrasonic cleaner according to Australian/New Zealand Standards
Daily checks of washer/disinfector function and detergent dispenser


Critical site instruments may include:
Instruments used to enter or penetrate into the tissue, cavity, organs or bloodstream of a client
Instruments which must be sterile at time of use


Batch control data may include:
Steriliser identification number or code
Date of sterilisation
Cycle or load number


Sterilisers may include:
Portable (benchtop)
Downward displacement
Pre-vacuum
Dry heat


Operation of the steriliser may include:
A load configuration that:
ensures items do not touch the chamber walls
contains items within the load carrying basket or tray
permits total steam penetration to all surfaces
enures wrapped items are dry on completion of the drying cycle
reduces damage to packs and their contents
ensures safe handling on the completion of cycle
Selection and activation of the appropriate sterilisation cycle
Selecting the appropriate drying time for the composition of the load
Ensuring the cycle is complete and sterilisation parameters have been met before removing items
Observing safety precautions when unloading and transporting items
Reporting and following workplace protocols when sterilisation errors occur


Sterilising cycle records may include:
The date of the cycle
The steriliser number or code
The cycle or load number
The exposure time, temperature and pressure
The name or identification of the loading operator
The name or identification of the person authorising release of load contents from the sterilising area
The specific contents of the load
The readout result of physical, chemical or biological/enzymatic indicators that are used


Monitoring of sterilisers may include but is not limited to:
Daily (for Pre-vacuum sterilisers):
external chemical indicator leak rate test
bowie Dick
Every packaged item:
external chemical indicator
Every cycle:
electronic printout of sterilisation parameters
chemical indicator (Class 4,5 or 6)


Criteria for release of processed packaged items may include:
Achievement of cycle parameters as set during performance validation
External chemical indicators have correct colour change
Packaged items are intact and have no visible moisture
Correct result of other tests:
biological indicators
enzymatic indicators
process challenge devices
electronic data loggers


Routine cleaning and checking of sterilisers may include but is not limited to:
Daily checks:
floor of steriliser is free of debris
chamber drain and filter are clear
recording devices, gauges and timers are functioning correctly
water reservoir (portable benchtop sterilisers) emptied, cleaned and refilled with distilled water
door seals are intact
Cleaning:
loading tray and external surfaces cleaned daily
steriliser chamber cleaned weekly when cold

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 workplace performance is preferred for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Simulations must not be used to represent workplace conditions


Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Evidence of essential knowledge and understanding may be provided by:
traditional or online (computer-based) assessment
written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning
Staff and/or client feedback
Supporting statement of supervisor
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
Role play simulation


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 may be assessed in conjunction with related occupational health and safety competency units