Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:08 PM AWST
22/07/2026 1:08 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.
Manage effectiveness of reprocessing of reusable medical devices
Manage effectiveness of reprocessing of reusable medical devices
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTSTE408C
HLTSTE408C
State Code
WD297
WD297
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
23/08/2012
Field of Education
019909 - Laboratory Technology
Original Release Date
23/08/2012
Nominal Hours
60
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and manage the reprocessing of reusable medical devices to ensure compliance with AS/NZS 4187The worker is required to understand the workings and optimal operational requirements of processing equipment, as well as, cleaning and disinfecting agents
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan for monitoring and maintenance requirements
- 1.1 Prepare maintenance schedules in compliance with AS/NZS 4187, operational requirements and manufacturers' guidelines
- 1.2 Maintain practices that monitor all aspects of reprocessing in compliance with AS/NZS 4187
- 1.3 Monitor the collection of data required for monitoring and maintenance of reprocessing, in compliance with AS/NZS 4187 and manufacturer's guidelines
2. Facilitate monitoring and maintenance requirements
- 2.1 Complete planned and regular random checks of machinery performance
- 2.2 Complete planned and regular random checks of data and tracking systems that monitor the decontamination cycle
- 2.3 Take action where discrepancies are identified, including recall procedures, machinery maintenance or repair, and chemical review, in accordance with AS/NZS 4187, manufacturers' guidelines and organisation policies and procedures
- 2.4 Follow practices and procedures for tracing back through the decontamination cycle to clients and users
- 2.5 Report any issues outside sphere of responsibility and competence, without delay and according to organisation policies and procedures
- 2.6 Follow the protocols for critical incidents and sentinel events investigation
3. Maintain and evaluate records and reports
- 3.1 Complete records of results of monitoring, according to AS/NZS 4187 an organisation policies and procedures
- 3.2 Complete records of all equipment maintenance and repair
- 3.3 Archive records to address legislative requirements
- 3.4 Maintain, evaluate and act upon non-compliance records and reports
- 3.5 Manage recall processes
4. Contribute to organisation policies and procedures
- 4.1 Provide input into organisation policies, procedures to ensure compliance with AS/NZS 4187
- 4.2 Monitor and if necessary, adjust work practices to reflect AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
- 4.3 Maintain research and manufacturers' information relevant to the effectiveness of disinfection and sterilisation processes
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.
Disinfection and sterilisation equipment may include:
Collection equipment
Batch-type washer/disinfectors
Rack conveyor washers/tunnel washer
Load retaining devices
Ultrasonic cleaners
Manual cleaning sinks, hand washing sink, hot and cold running water supply
Cleaning accessories, including brushes, non-linting cloths, syringes
High pressure water equipment
Drying cabinets
Compressed air gun
Pre-vacuum steam steriliser
Downward displacement steam steriliser
Dry heat steriliser
Hydrogen peroxide plasma steriliser
Peracetic acid steriliser
Monitoring and accessory equipment may include:
Physical parametric process recorders, including:
print outs
graphics and chart recorders
information technology data systems
Batch control labelling guns
Computerised systems, including:
label printers
scanners
workstations
External chemical indicators
Internal chemical indicators
Biological indicators and incubators, and enzymatic indicators
Dryness testing
Process challenge devices
Performance qualification equipment, including:
computerised data loggers
thermocoupling devices
Leak rate test
Bowie Dick type air removal test
Quality management documentation may include:
Cycle, batch control and load description documentation
Steriliser usage and utilisation
Volume of sterilised items by defined category
Cleaning, monitoring, testing, fault analysis and maintenance of sterilisers and associated equipment
Dispatch/distribution by destination
Non-conformance/non-compliance reporting
Archiving and filing of steriliser records
Validation report
Critical incidents and sentinel events may include:
Suspected transmission of blood borne virus
Product failure
Wet loads
Damage and instrument failure
Poorly cleaned instruments
Failed sterilising cycle
Release of failed sterilising cycle loads
Distribution of unsterile items
Faulty batches of monitoring equipment
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.
Disinfection and sterilisation equipment may include:
Collection equipment
Batch-type washer/disinfectors
Rack conveyor washers/tunnel washer
Load retaining devices
Ultrasonic cleaners
Manual cleaning sinks, hand washing sink, hot and cold running water supply
Cleaning accessories, including brushes, non-linting cloths, syringes
High pressure water equipment
Drying cabinets
Compressed air gun
Pre-vacuum steam steriliser
Downward displacement steam steriliser
Dry heat steriliser
Hydrogen peroxide plasma steriliser
Peracetic acid steriliser
Monitoring and accessory equipment may include:
Physical parametric process recorders, including:
print outs
graphics and chart recorders
information technology data systems
Batch control labelling guns
Computerised systems, including:
label printers
scanners
workstations
External chemical indicators
Internal chemical indicators
Biological indicators and incubators, and enzymatic indicators
Dryness testing
Process challenge devices
Performance qualification equipment, including:
computerised data loggers
thermocoupling devices
Leak rate test
Bowie Dick type air removal test
Quality management documentation may include:
Cycle, batch control and load description documentation
Steriliser usage and utilisation
Volume of sterilised items by defined category
Cleaning, monitoring, testing, fault analysis and maintenance of sterilisers and associated equipment
Dispatch/distribution by destination
Non-conformance/non-compliance reporting
Archiving and filing of steriliser records
Validation report
Critical incidents and sentinel events may include:
Suspected transmission of blood borne virus
Product failure
Wet loads
Damage and instrument failure
Poorly cleaned instruments
Failed sterilising cycle
Release of failed sterilising cycle loads
Distribution of unsterile items
Faulty batches of monitoring equipment
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 possibleAcceptable simulation requires:
access to a full range of tracking and monitoring systems
operational requirements of a full range of machinery and associated equipment
Resources essential for assessment include access to:
relevant workplace or appropriately simulated environment where assessment can take place
monitoring and tracking systems
manufacturers' guidelines
training records
Australian Standards, government and organisation policies and procedures
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place (if possible)
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Questioning
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
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 possibleAcceptable simulation requires:
access to a full range of tracking and monitoring systems
operational requirements of a full range of machinery and associated equipment
Resources essential for assessment include access to:
relevant workplace or appropriately simulated environment where assessment can take place
monitoring and tracking systems
manufacturers' guidelines
training records
Australian Standards, government and organisation policies and procedures
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place (if possible)
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Questioning
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
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8516 | HLTSTE408B | Manage effectiveness of reprocessing of reusable medical devices | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUZ67 | HLTSTE007 | Monitor and maintain cleaning and sterilisation equipment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J098 | HLT43812 | Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services | Qualification |