Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:05 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.

Provide intra-operative equipment and technical support

Provide intra-operative equipment and technical support

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTTHE003
State Code
AUZ58
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
06/08/2015
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/01/2016
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
22/01/2016
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide equipment and technical support during operative procedures. This unit applies to operating theatre technicians and other theatre staff who work under the direction of surgical and anaesthetic medical staff.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Maintain sterile field
  • 1.1 Conform with aseptic principles when moving around a sterile field to prevent contamination
  • 1.2 Report personal and other staff breaches of aseptic principles to the relevant staff in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
2. Monitor equipment performance
  • 2.1 Switch on warning devices and check correct operation
  • 2.2 Check levels of gas, electrical and vacuum supplies are adequate for procedure and confirm back-up supply as required
  • 2.3 Observe equipment while in use, recognise faults, and take immediate action to avoid danger to clients, staff and equipment in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
  • 2.4 Follow established procedures to rectify faulty equipment
  • 2.5 Complete accurate equipment documentation in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
3. Attach and detach equipment
  • 3.1 Select and use appropriatepersonal protective equipment
  • 3.2 Select appropriate client attachments and attach safely and securely to appropriate sites under the guidance of medical staff
  • 3.3 Re-position client attachments during theatre procedures as required
  • 3.4 Safely detach client attachments using techniques that minimise risk of damage to client, staff or equipment
  • 3.5 Provide counter-traction during orthopaedic and plastic procedures and manipulations as directed
4. Connect irrigation
  • 4.1 Select correct irrigation and sequencing for operative procedure under the guidance of the medical staff
  • 4.2 Check information about irrigation type, sterile integrity and expiry date
  • 4.3 Connect irrigation to sterile giving set using correct aseptic techniques
  • 4.4 Change irrigation using aseptic techniques
  • 4.5 Communicate the volume, type and number of irrigation bags to scout nurse
  • 4.6 Dispose of used irrigation bags/giving sets according to organisational policy and procedures
5. Adjust surgical equipment
  • 5.1 Handle surgical equipment under the guidance of medical staff and within manufacturer’s guidelines
  • 5.2 Connect surgical equipment to electrical, vacuum, gas supply in accordance with standard operating procedures
  • 5.3 Adjust surgical equipment settings in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines under guidance of surgical and anaesthetic medical staff
  • 5.4 Clearly communicate accurate readings to medical staff as required
  • 5.5 Recognise and clearly communicate alarms/warnings, abnormal readings and equipment usage times to medical staff as required
  • 5.6 Use aseptic techniques to pass sterile equipment/lines from the surgical team and connect to surgical equipment
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
WD310 HLTTH406D Provide intra-operative equipment and technical support Unit of competency