Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:45 PM AWST
22/07/2026 6:45 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.
Inspect and pack items
Inspect and pack items
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTSTE302C
HLTSTE302C
State Code
D8510
D8510
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
02/08/2011
Field of Education
019909 - Laboratory Technology
Original Release Date
02/08/2011
Nominal Hours
30
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required follow correct procedures for the preparation, inspection, assembly and labelling of items for sterilisationThe range of functions is prescribed around known standards, guidelines, manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare packing area
- 1.1 Wear appropriate attire
- 1.2 Clean area prior to processing
- 1.3 Wash hands according to infection control guidelines
- 1.4 Manage and maintain stock levels, including manufacturers batch/lot number tracking, according to organisation policies and procedures
- 1.5 Test heat sealers
2. Prepare and inspect items
- 2.1 Identify items requiring specific priority
- 2.2 Sort items according to type, size and density for appropriate packaging material and method, as per organisation policies and procedures
- 2.3 Inspect items for cleanliness and dryness and reprocess where required
- 2.4 Inspect items for functionality and completeness according to manufacturer's guidelines and organisation policies and procedures
- 2.5 Re-assemble multi-part items for checking and disassemble or sufficiently loosen prior to packaging and sterilisation to ensure sterilant contact on all surfaces
- 2.6 Prepare and inspect items for functionality and life expectancy with consideration of the continued care and maintenance of general and specialised instruments including microsurgical, insulated, handpieces, power tools and endoscopic equipment, according to AS/NZS 4187, manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
- 2.7 Use illuminated magnifier appropriately
- 2.8 Lubricate moving parts where necessary and according to AS/NZS 4187, manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
- 2.9 Identify loan items and implantable items and process according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
- 2.10 Identify, report, remove and/or replace damaged/faulty items and items due for preventative maintenance
- 2.11 Report missing items according to organisation policies and protocols
- 2.12 Assemble and package thermally disinfected items for transfer to appropriate location
3. Assemble and package items
- 3.1 Select packaging materials and technique with reference to sterilisation mode, and according to AS/NZS 4187, and organisation policies and procedures
- 3.2 Select, inspect and prepare instrument trays or rigid sterilisation containers according to AS/NZS 4187, manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
- 3.3 Assemble trays/rigid containers of instruments against check lists
- 3.4 Open and unlock items with hinges/ratchets
- 3.5 Disassemble/loosen multi-part instruments
- 3.6 Protect delicate and sharp items in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
- 3.7 Select appropriate packaging material
- 3.8 Package hollow ware items with all openings facing the same direction
- 3.9 Use chemical indicators according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
- 3.10 Pack, secure and label packages to comply with aseptic retrieval principles
- 3.11 Close and secure rigid sterilisation containers with external tamper-proof clips, chemical indicators and labels, according to manufacturer's specifications
- 3.12 Use appropriate manual handling when assembling and packing items
- 3.13 Complete quality assurance documentation according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
4. Operate equipment
- 4.1 Select and operate equipment correctly and safely
- 4.2 Complete routine cleaning and performance monitoring and maintenance of heat sealing equipment according to AS/NZS 4187, manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
- 4.3 Use appropriate manual handling when operating equipment and ergonomic packing tables and anti-fatigue matting
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.
Assembly equipment may include:
Illuminated magnifier
Packaging workstations
Information technology, eg computers, scanners, label printers
Insulation tester
Items required during packaging may include:
Internal chemical indicators
Sterilisation tape
Tray liners
Tamper proof devices
Rigid sterilisation container filters
Identification labels
Instrument check lists
Instrument protective devices, eg pin mats, sharp's protectors
Quality management documentation eg repair slips, non-conformance reports
Biological indicators
Packaging material may include:
Textiles
Non-woven wraps - cellulose and non-cellulose
Flexible laminate packaging - rolls, pouches
Paper bags
Rigid sterilisation containers
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.
Assembly equipment may include:
Illuminated magnifier
Packaging workstations
Information technology, eg computers, scanners, label printers
Insulation tester
Items required during packaging may include:
Internal chemical indicators
Sterilisation tape
Tray liners
Tamper proof devices
Rigid sterilisation container filters
Identification labels
Instrument check lists
Instrument protective devices, eg pin mats, sharp's protectors
Quality management documentation eg repair slips, non-conformance reports
Biological indicators
Packaging material may include:
Textiles
Non-woven wraps - cellulose and non-cellulose
Flexible laminate packaging - rolls, pouches
Paper bags
Rigid sterilisation containers
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:
packaging a full range of instruments
using a full range of packaging materials and techniques
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
equipment, trays, packs, items, checklists and materials for processing and packing
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:
packaging a full range of instruments
using a full range of packaging materials and techniques
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
equipment, trays, packs, items, checklists and materials for processing and packing
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9510 | HLTSTE302B | Inspect and pack items | Unit of competency |
| C5131 | HLTSTE2A | Prepare and pack items | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD291 | HLTSTE302D | Inspect and pack items | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D040 | HLT31107 | Certificate III in Sterilisation Services | Qualification |