Elements and Performance Criteria

Equipment requirements will depend upon:
Personal preference of medical staff
Availability of equipment
Patient assessment
Case complexity and speciality area eg general, vascular, ophthalmic, gynaecology
Manual handling requirements
Equipment will vary between hospitals due to the above considerations.

Equipment may include:
Furniture
Electrical
Positioning aids
Cylinders
Operating tables
Positioning accessories
Electro-surgical equipment
Lasers
Gas cylinders/regulators
Microscopes
Endoscopic monitors and tower systems
Suction units
Monitoring devices
Warming equipment
Audio visual equipment
Lights
Orthopaedic equipment
Tourniquet
Mechanical lifter

Reference material may include but is not limited to:
Operating list
Preference cards
Manuals

Operating teams may include:
Nursing staff
Anaesthetists
Surgeons
Other support staff

Critical aspects of assessment must include:
Compliance with enterprise requirements, OH&S legislation, infection control, manual handling procedures and relevant health regulations
Completion of all activities accurately and in a timely and safe manner
Correct theatre handling equipment procedures
Correct set-up and positioning of theatre equipment for a variety of surgical procedures
Work completed systematically with attention to detail without damage to equipment
Effective co-ordination of required processes
Ability to liaise effectively with theatre staff and provide appropriate equipment as requested

Essential knowledge required includes:
Relevant OHS legislation and infection control codes of practice, enterprise policies and procedures
Relevant Australian hospital standards, regulations and guidelines
Safety and environmental aspects related to workplace operation and manual handling, including workplace hazards
Theatre policy and procedures guidelines
Theatre protocols
Types of theatre attire and purpose of personal protective clothing

Essential skills required include:
Specialist cleaning processes for theatre equipment
Equipment set-up procedures
Safe handling of equipment
Carrying out all work according to safe working guidelines
Numeracy skills include the ability to complete basic arithmetic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division to recording numbers.
Reading and writing skills - literacy competence required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by organisation. The level of skill may range from the ability to understand symbols used in OHS signs to reading and interpreting manufacturers' instructions for equipment, workplace safety pamphlets or procedure manuals to reading labels and handling chemicals such as cleaning fluids. Literacy support available in the workplace may range from having access to support or assistance from expert/mentor/supervisor to having no communication supports available. Literacy may be required in English or a community language.
Oral communication skills - language competence required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation. Assessors should look for skills in asking questions, providing clear information, listening to and understanding workplace instructions, and clarifying workplace instructions when necessary. The organisation may require competence in English or a community language, depending on client group.
Problem solving skills required include the ability to use available resources and prioritise workload.

Resource implications:
Resource requirements include access to:
Equipment
Infection control procedures
Workplace health and safety guidelines
Theatre policy and procedure guidelines
Other organisational policies and procedures
Duties statements and/or job descriptions

Method of assessment:
Assessment may include:
Observation of performance
Written tasks
Interviewing and questioning
Formal appraisal systems
Staff/client feedback
Portfolio/CV
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice in the work environment

Context of assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions. Assessment may be conducted on more than one occasion to cover a variety of situations.

A diversity of assessment tasks is essential for holistic assessment.