Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:01 PM AWST
22/07/2026 6:01 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.
Prepare the anaesthetic environment
Prepare the anaesthetic environment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTAN401D
HLTAN401D
State Code
WD050
WD050
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/08/2014
Field of Education
089901 - Purchasing, Warehousing And Distribution
Original Release Date
06/08/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain stocks of consumable items and anaesthetic equipment and to prepare the necessary anaesthetic equipment and materials to meet the preferences of the anaesthetist and the requirements of the clients and in accordance with clinical procedure
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Organise, assemble and position anaesthetic equipment and materials
- 1.1 Ensure availability of minimum equipment requirements as per ANZCA policy guidelines
- 1.2 Select equipment and materials and prepare correctly in relation to sequence and requirements of the clients and their clinical procedure
- 1.3 Ensure all relevant anaesthetic equipment and materials are clean/disinfected/sterile, functioning correctly, prepared for use, and, if necessary, calibrated
- 1.4 Position equipment and materials for accessibility with reference to other health professionals to meet the requirements of the clinical procedure and according to the anaesthetist's preference
- 1.5 Confirm the anaesthetist's requirements and preferences
2. Prepare for intravascular infusion and transfusion in accordance with request from anaesthetist and organisation policies and procedures
- 2.1 Ensure intravascular solution, blood or blood product is correctly selected in accordance with anaesthetist's instructions and client documentation
- 2.2 Confirm selected solution, blood or blood as fit for use in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
- 2.3 Correctly select infusion set, connectors and/ or filters
- 2.4 Correctly assemble equipment and materials and prime in an aseptic manner and ready for use
- 2.5 Store infusion equipment and solutions correctly
3. Maintain adequate stock levels of anaesthetic consumable items
- 3.1 Check stock levels and take appropriate action to maintain supply
- 3.2 Communicate unavailability of stock to relevant personnel
- 3.3 Rotate stock where necessary
- 3.4 Store materials according to manufacturer's recommendations and legal requirements
- 3.5 Carry out ordering procedures to organisation's requirements
- 3.6 Withdraw relevant stock and dispose of in compliance with health hazard notices
- 3.7 Dispose of expired stock promptly and safely in accordance with legislative requirements
- 3.8 Ensure relevant material safety data sheets are available and referenced as required
4. Prepare the environment for the administration of anaesthesia
- 4.1 Check humidity and temperature levels and adjust in accordance with relevant industry standards and clinical procedure
- 4.2 Check lighting for suitability for the administration of anaesthesia
- 4.3 Keep noise levels to a minimum
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.
Equipment made available for selection includes:
Anaesthetic machine and components, including alarms and scavenger
Work station/trolley
Ventilator and components
Vaporisers or other systems designed for delivery of inhalation anaesthetic agents
Breathing systems and attachments
Bougies
Oxygen masks
Laryngoscopes
Fibreoptic bronchoscopes
Intubation aids, including difficult intubation equipment
Artificial airways
Suction equipment for oesophageal and tracheal suction
Monitoring equipment includes:
Electrocardiography (ECG)
Pulse oximetry
Non-invasive and invasive blood pressure monitoring
Temperature monitoring
Central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring
Intravascular monitoring
Gas analysers, including oxygen, carbon dioxide and anaesthetic agent
Expired/inspired volume/pressure
Neuromuscular transmission
Cardiac output monitoring
Cerebral activity monitoring
Stethoscopes, including oesophageal
continued ...
Equipment made available for selection includes (contd):
Other equipment includes:
Defibrillators and cardioverters
Infusion equipment, including oxygen, carbon dioxide and anaesthetic agent
Warming/cooling equipment for client and intravenous fluids
Equipment to minimise heat loss
Tourniquets and exsanguinators
Neuromuscular function monitor
Calf stimulators/compression devices
Operating table and attachments for positioning and pressure care
Humidifiers
Scissors, clamps and forceps
Materials made available for selection includes:
Drugs, including anaesthetic, emergency, those associated with the administration of anaesthetics, and those necessary for the management of conditions which may complicate or co-exist with anaesthesia
Materials for fibreoptic intubation
Microbiologic filter
Heat and moisture exchanger
Needles
Syringes
Cannulas
Antiseptic solutions
Infusion sets and attachments
Lubricant
Gauze
Throat packs
Adhesive tapes
Ties
ECG dots
Introducers
Materials for subarachnoid, epidural or regional nerve blocks
Interpleural drainage sets
Materials for protection against biological contaminants, including sharps containers
Requirements of client may include:
Relevant medical history
Individual anaesthetist requests according to operative or clinical procedure
Age
Clients requiring anaesthetic include:
Neonates
Infants
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Elderly
Male
Female
Clinical procedures covers the surgical procedure and the type of anaesthetic which must include:
General/regional/local anaesthetic and sedation
Radiology/Radiotherapy anaesthesia
General surgery
Gastro-intestinal surgery
Ear, nose and throat surgery
Gynaecological surgery
Obstetric surgery
Orthopaedic surgery
Vascular surgery
Urological surgery
Oral/dental/maxillofacial surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery
Neurosurgery
Plastic surgery
Trauma/emergency surgery
Ophthalmic surgery
Intravascular solutions may include:
Colloids
Crystalloids
Transfusion may include:
Blood
Blood products
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.
Equipment made available for selection includes:
Anaesthetic machine and components, including alarms and scavenger
Work station/trolley
Ventilator and components
Vaporisers or other systems designed for delivery of inhalation anaesthetic agents
Breathing systems and attachments
Bougies
Oxygen masks
Laryngoscopes
Fibreoptic bronchoscopes
Intubation aids, including difficult intubation equipment
Artificial airways
Suction equipment for oesophageal and tracheal suction
Monitoring equipment includes:
Electrocardiography (ECG)
Pulse oximetry
Non-invasive and invasive blood pressure monitoring
Temperature monitoring
Central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring
Intravascular monitoring
Gas analysers, including oxygen, carbon dioxide and anaesthetic agent
Expired/inspired volume/pressure
Neuromuscular transmission
Cardiac output monitoring
Cerebral activity monitoring
Stethoscopes, including oesophageal
continued ...
Equipment made available for selection includes (contd):
Other equipment includes:
Defibrillators and cardioverters
Infusion equipment, including oxygen, carbon dioxide and anaesthetic agent
Warming/cooling equipment for client and intravenous fluids
Equipment to minimise heat loss
Tourniquets and exsanguinators
Neuromuscular function monitor
Calf stimulators/compression devices
Operating table and attachments for positioning and pressure care
Humidifiers
Scissors, clamps and forceps
Materials made available for selection includes:
Drugs, including anaesthetic, emergency, those associated with the administration of anaesthetics, and those necessary for the management of conditions which may complicate or co-exist with anaesthesia
Materials for fibreoptic intubation
Microbiologic filter
Heat and moisture exchanger
Needles
Syringes
Cannulas
Antiseptic solutions
Infusion sets and attachments
Lubricant
Gauze
Throat packs
Adhesive tapes
Ties
ECG dots
Introducers
Materials for subarachnoid, epidural or regional nerve blocks
Interpleural drainage sets
Materials for protection against biological contaminants, including sharps containers
Requirements of client may include:
Relevant medical history
Individual anaesthetist requests according to operative or clinical procedure
Age
Clients requiring anaesthetic include:
Neonates
Infants
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Elderly
Male
Female
Clinical procedures covers the surgical procedure and the type of anaesthetic which must include:
General/regional/local anaesthetic and sedation
Radiology/Radiotherapy anaesthesia
General surgery
Gastro-intestinal surgery
Ear, nose and throat surgery
Gynaecological surgery
Obstetric surgery
Orthopaedic surgery
Vascular surgery
Urological surgery
Oral/dental/maxillofacial surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery
Neurosurgery
Plastic surgery
Trauma/emergency surgery
Ophthalmic surgery
Intravascular solutions may include:
Colloids
Crystalloids
Transfusion may include:
Blood
Blood products
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 essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
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
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
Simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
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
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Evidence gathered from clinical work environment
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal and written
Role play/simulation
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Related units:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other health services units of competency is encouraged
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 essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
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
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
Simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
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
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Evidence gathered from clinical work environment
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal and written
Role play/simulation
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Related units:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other health services units of competency is encouraged
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D5751 | HLTAN401C | Prepare the anaesthetic environment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J089 | HLT42612 | Certificate IV in Anaesthetic Technology | Qualification |
| J103 | HLT50612 | Diploma of Paramedical Science (Anaesthesia) | Qualification |