Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:11 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:11 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.
Provide routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite
Provide routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTTH404D
HLTTH404D
State Code
WD308
WD308
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
30/06/2014
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
30/06/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide basic maintenance support, equipment set-up and other routine duties in relation to operating theatre equipment
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Select and prepare operating theatre equipment for use by the operating team
- 1.1 Identify equipment and equipment consumables required for each theatre case , referencing with the operating theatre team, operating list and surgeon preferences
- 1.2 Set up equipment and consumables, correctly position and check in accordance with organisation policy and procedures and manufacturer's specifications
- 1.3 Assemble, connect and test components as required
- 1.4 Re-position equipment during theatre procedures as required
- 1.5 Document the use of theatre equipment if required
- 1.6 Withdraw from use and replace equipment if considered not safe for use
2. Provide operational and maintenance support to operating theatre equipment
- 2.1 Identify minor equipment problems
- 2.2 Correct minor equipment problems are corrected
- 2.3 Ensure equipment is referred to a maintenance specialist for appropriate maintenance
- 2.4 Maintain maintenance log book as required by organisation policy and procedure
- 2.5 Schedule equipment for maintenance according to the needs of the operating theatre
- 2.6 Maintain communication with relevant operating theatre staff in relation to equipment maintenance
3. Disassemble and store operating theatre equipment safely
- 3.1 Follow shut-down procedures in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations
- 3.2 Correctly assemble and disassemble equipment as required
- 3.3 Clean equipment in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
- 3.4 Safely store equipment in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations
4. Orient theatre team to operating theatre equipment
- 4.1 Provide instruction on equipment operation to individual members of the theatre team as required by supervisor
- 4.2 Provide in-service training on basic equipment operation as required
5. Participate in operating theatre equipment evaluations
- 5.1 Participate as required in team evaluations of equipment being considered for potential purchase
- 5.2 Assess equipment from a theatre technician's perspective
- 5.3 Provide advice to the team evaluation as required
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.
Operating theatre equipment or equipment may be in a adult, women's or paediatric hospital operating theatre suite, day surgical unit or day procedure unit, and may include:
Phacoemulsification machine
Endoscopic equipment
Diathermy
Arthroscopic equipment
Operating chairs
Operating tables and accessories
Positioning aids and equipment
Traction kits
Knee immobilisers
Shoulder straps
Cervical straps
Lasers
Monitors and camera tower
Theatre lights
Printers videos
Lithoplast
Lithoclast/lithotripter
Saws/drills
Orthopaedic surgical equipment
Orthopaedic frames
Microscopes
Gas cylinders, regulators and flow meters
Warming equipment
Tourniquet
Insufflator/laparoflater
Electrical and air-powered equipment
Calf compressors/stimulators
Light sources
Waste receptacles
Gel pressure care pads
Hair clippers
Pat slide
Image intensifier/lead gowns
continued ...
Operating theatre equipment or equipment may be in an adult, women's or paediatric hospital operating theatre suite, day surgical unit or day procedure unit, and may include:(contd)
CUSA
Cell saver
Cryogen
Headlights
Light sources
Smoke evacuators
Suction equipment
Stealth/Medrex
Resuscitation cot/porta cot
Equipment consumables may include:
Paper
Video cassettes
Diathermy plates
ECG dots
Fluids
Plasters
Stockinette
Camera film
Absorbent under pads
Suction liners/tubing
Pat slide spray
Insufflator filters
Globes
TED stockings
Waste bags
Operating theatre team may include:
Registered nurses
Enrolled nurses
Surgeons
Anaesthetists
Other medical practitioners
Perfusionists
Other operating theatre staff
Radiography staff
Operating theatre support staff
Checking may include
Calibration of equipment
Ensuring equipment is clean
Ensuring equipment is in working order
:
Organisation policy and procedures may refer to:
Infection control
Work health and safety (WHS)
Equipment handling and set-up procedures
Safe placement and positioning of equipment and cables
Documentation on use of equipment
Cleaning
Use of personal protective equipment
Maintenance procedures
Maintenance records
Electrical hazards
Minor equipment problems may require:
Change of light bulb
Focus adjustment
Cleaning of lens
Replacement of cable
Reconnections
Change of saw blade
Adjustment of gas pressures
Maintenance specialist may include:
Biomedical technician or engineer
Hospital Engineer
Appropriate maintenance of equipment may refer to:
Safety and function testing
Routine scheduled maintenance
As specified in the manufacturer's maintenance manual
Breakdown maintenance
Instruction on equipment operation and in-service training on basic equipment may include:
Set-up and shut down procedures
Basic fault finding
Assembly and connection procedures
Preparation of equipment for use
But does NOT include:
instruction or training on the operation and use of equipment by health professionals for the purpose of surgical or interventional procedures
Operating theatre equipment or equipment may be in a adult, women's or paediatric hospital operating theatre suite, day surgical unit or day procedure unit, and may include:
Phacoemulsification machine
Endoscopic equipment
Diathermy
Arthroscopic equipment
Operating chairs
Operating tables and accessories
Positioning aids and equipment
Traction kits
Knee immobilisers
Shoulder straps
Cervical straps
Lasers
Monitors and camera tower
Theatre lights
Printers videos
Lithoplast
Lithoclast/lithotripter
Saws/drills
Orthopaedic surgical equipment
Orthopaedic frames
Microscopes
Gas cylinders, regulators and flow meters
Warming equipment
Tourniquet
Insufflator/laparoflater
Electrical and air-powered equipment
Calf compressors/stimulators
Light sources
Waste receptacles
Gel pressure care pads
Hair clippers
Pat slide
Image intensifier/lead gowns
continued ...
Operating theatre equipment or equipment may be in an adult, women's or paediatric hospital operating theatre suite, day surgical unit or day procedure unit, and may include:(contd)
CUSA
Cell saver
Cryogen
Headlights
Light sources
Smoke evacuators
Suction equipment
Stealth/Medrex
Resuscitation cot/porta cot
Equipment consumables may include:
Paper
Video cassettes
Diathermy plates
ECG dots
Fluids
Plasters
Stockinette
Camera film
Absorbent under pads
Suction liners/tubing
Pat slide spray
Insufflator filters
Globes
TED stockings
Waste bags
Operating theatre team may include:
Registered nurses
Enrolled nurses
Surgeons
Anaesthetists
Other medical practitioners
Perfusionists
Other operating theatre staff
Radiography staff
Operating theatre support staff
Checking may include
Calibration of equipment
Ensuring equipment is clean
Ensuring equipment is in working order
:
Organisation policy and procedures may refer to:
Infection control
Work health and safety (WHS)
Equipment handling and set-up procedures
Safe placement and positioning of equipment and cables
Documentation on use of equipment
Cleaning
Use of personal protective equipment
Maintenance procedures
Maintenance records
Electrical hazards
Minor equipment problems may require:
Change of light bulb
Focus adjustment
Cleaning of lens
Replacement of cable
Reconnections
Change of saw blade
Adjustment of gas pressures
Maintenance specialist may include:
Biomedical technician or engineer
Hospital Engineer
Appropriate maintenance of equipment may refer to:
Safety and function testing
Routine scheduled maintenance
As specified in the manufacturer's maintenance manual
Breakdown maintenance
Instruction on equipment operation and in-service training on basic equipment may include:
Set-up and shut down procedures
Basic fault finding
Assembly and connection procedures
Preparation of equipment for use
But does NOT include:
instruction or training on the operation and use of equipment by health professionals for the purpose of surgical or interventional procedures
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
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 and a range of operating theatre equipment where assessment can take place
Simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Equipment manufacturer's operating and maintenance manuals
Method of assessment
Observation of work activities when providing routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite
Observation of simulation and/or role play when providing routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite
Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care
Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses/
Recognition of relevant life/work experience
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Authenticated reports of experience providing routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suit (Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)
Training records associated with work health and safety (WHS) training, orientation/induction training, safe manual handing, universal infection control procedures
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
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
Related units:
This unit can be assessed independently
However holistic assessment practice with other health services units of competency is encouraged
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
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 and a range of operating theatre equipment where assessment can take place
Simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Equipment manufacturer's operating and maintenance manuals
Method of assessment
Observation of work activities when providing routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite
Observation of simulation and/or role play when providing routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite
Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care
Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses/
Recognition of relevant life/work experience
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Authenticated reports of experience providing routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suit (Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)
Training records associated with work health and safety (WHS) training, orientation/induction training, safe manual handing, universal infection control procedures
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8535 | HLTTH404C | Provide routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUZ60 | HLTTHE001 | Handle and care for operating theatre equipment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J084 | HLT42012 | Certificate IV in Operating Theatre Technical Support | Qualification |