Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:58 AM AWST
22/07/2026 7:58 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.
Sterilise loads
Sterilise loads
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTSTE303C
HLTSTE303C
State Code
D8511
D8511
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
02/08/2011
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
02/08/2011
Nominal Hours
30
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow correct procedures to choose and operate sterilisation equipment, interpret steriliser function and parameters in the provision of sterilised medical equipment, appropriately load items for sterilisation and release of sterilised items for distributionThe range of functions is prescribed around known standards, guidelines, policies and procedures
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare sterilisation equipment
- 1.1 Clean and check steam steriliser, low temperatures steriliser, dry heat steriliser and accessory equipment according to AS/NZS 4187, manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
- 1.2 Conduct performance test cycles according to AS/NZS 4187 and maintain documentation
- 1.3 Follow regular maintenance program and documentation according to organisation policies and procedures
- 1.4 Observe safety precautions to ensure sterilisers function safely
- 1.5 Interpret and document results from physical, chemical and biological tests
2. Load steriliser
- 2.1 Assign appropriate cycle and batch control number and complete documentation according to AS/NZS 4187 guidelines
- 2.2 Check packaging, sealing and labelling for compatibility with organisation policies and procedures
- 2.3 Check load content and configuration for compliance with annual steriliser performance qualification
- 2.4 Select sterilisation method appropriate to the load
- 2.5 Load steriliser to ensure sterilant contact and according to AS/NZS 4187 and manufacturer's recommendations
- 2.6 List and assign load description documentation to the correct cycle and according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
3. Operate steriliser
- 3.1 Check steriliser function for sterilant availability eg steam to chamber, chemical sterilant container
- 3.2 Check function of physical process recording accessories
- 3.3 Select appropriate cycle in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
- 3.4 Identify, report and action faults according to manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
4. Unload and release sterilised loads
- 4.1 Check sterilisation cycle physical and biological monitoring according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures, and record results on completion of cycle
- 4.2 Remove sterilised load immediately on completion of cycle, according to AS/NZS 4187, OHS guidelines and organisation policies and procedures
- 4.3 Remove compromised items (damaged, wet), dismantle for reprocessing and record according to AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
- 4.4 Unload cooled load using appropriate handling techniques in accordance with AS/NZS 4187 requirements
- 4.5 Complete the documentation of the sterilising cycle for parametric release
5. Follow OHS procedures
- 5.1 Use ergonomic safe practices when loading and unloading a steriliser
- 5.2 Utilise appropriate precautions for sterilant/sterilising methods in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and organisation policies and procedures
6. Comply with quality management requirements
- 6.1 Adhere to operational monitoring and testing, performance qualification and maintenance of sterilisers and associated equipment and document in accordance with AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
- 6.2 Comply with documentation requirements for sterilising cycles, batch control and load release control in accordance with AS/NZS 4187 and organisation protocols and procedures
- 6.3 Report and document all steriliser faults/malfunction and load non-conformance/non-compliance in accordance with AS/NZS 4187 and organisation policies and procedures
- 6.4 Store and archive documentation in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
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.
Sterilisers may include:
Pre-vacuum steam
Downward displacement steam
Dry heat
Hydrogen peroxide plasma
Peracetic acid
Bench top sterilisers
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
BowieDick 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
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.
Sterilisers may include:
Pre-vacuum steam
Downward displacement steam
Dry heat
Hydrogen peroxide plasma
Peracetic acid
Bench top sterilisers
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
BowieDick 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
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:
use of steam, dry heat and low temperature sterilisers
using a full range of monitoring processes
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
sterilisation and monitoring equipment and accessories
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:
use of steam, dry heat and low temperature sterilisers
using a full range of monitoring processes
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
sterilisation and monitoring equipment and accessories
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C5132 | HLTSTE3A | Sterilise loads | Unit of competency |
| C9511 | HLTSTE303B | Sterilise loads | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD292 | HLTSTE303D | Sterilise loads | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D040 | HLT31107 | Certificate III in Sterilisation Services | Qualification |