Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and move around a sterile environment and to ensure that infection control principles are maintained

Application 

Sterile field includes the area immediately surrounding the draped client, the sterile personnel, sterile draped trolleys and equipment ACORN  (1998 ) Aseptic Techniques in the Operating Suite 

Asepsis involves the prevention of contamination of a sterile field

Work will be performed within a prescribed range of functions, generally within a team environment, involving known routines and procedures

All activities are carried out in accordance with organisation policies, procedures and infection control guidelines

Pre-requisite unit 

This unit must be assessed after successful achievement of pre-requisite:

• HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policy and procedures

Employability Skills 

This unit contains Employability Skills

Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Apply personal hygiene standards

1.1 Wear proper attire  correctly and ensure that it conforms with hospital and enterprise policy and procedures

1.2 Follow standard infection control guidelines to reduce risk of infection

2. Move around a sterile field

2.1 Move and carry out activities that are consistent with duties being performed

2.2 Conform with aseptic principles when moving around a sterile field  to ensure the sterile field is not contaminated

2.3 Report personal and other staff breaches of aseptic principles to the relevant staff

2.4 Wear personal protective attire as required

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge :

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

• Basic knowledge of the factors influencing growth of micro-organisms (environmental conditions)
• Basic knowledge of the transmission methods of pathogenic organisms
• Communication techniques and pathways in the operating room
• Definition of sterile and the sterilisation process
• Duty of care responsibilities
• Possible hazards in the sterile environment
• Relevant Australian hospital standards, regulations and guidelines
• Relevant OHS legislation and infection control codes of practice, enterprise policies and procedures
• Safety and environmental aspects related to workplace operation
• The importance of asepsis as a contribution to client care
• Theatre policy and procedures guidelines
• Theatre protocols

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Complete all activities accurately and in a timely and safe manner
• Comply with enterprise requirements, OHS legislation, infection control, manual handling procedures and relevant health regulations
• Coordinate required processes effectively
• Ensure work is completed systematically with attention to detail without damage to equipment or injury to oneself or others
• Liaise effectively with theatre staff

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

• Carry out all work according to safe working guidelines
• Solve problems including the ability to use available resources and prioritise workload
• Undertake cleaning processes
• Undertake effective hand washing techniques
• Undertake safe waste handling techniques and disposal in line with workplace policy and taking into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues
• Use literacy support available in the workplace which may range from having access to support or assistance from expert/mentor/supervisor, to having no communication supports available
• Use numeracy skills include the ability to complete basic arithmetic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and recording numbers
• Use oral communication skills as required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation, including skills in:

• asking questions
• providing clear information
• listening to and understanding workplace instructions
• clarifying workplace instructions when necessary
• literacy in English or a community language, depending on client group and organisation requirements

• Use reading and writing skills as required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by organisation at a level of skill that 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

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
• 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 :

• Equipment
• Infection control procedures
• Workplace health and safety guidelines
• Theatre policy and procedure guidelines
• Other organisation policies and procedures
• Duties statements and/or job descriptions

Method of assessment 

• Observation of work activities when identifying and moving to maintain a sterile field
• Observation of simulation and/or role play when identifying and moving to maintain a sterile field
• 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 working in sterile environments(Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/co-ordinator evaluations of work performance)
• Training records associated with OH Safety 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

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.

Attire may include :

• Allocated theatre outfits
• Boots
• Dress shoes
• Goggles
• Lead aprons
• Plastic aprons
• Masks

Location may include but is not limited to :

• Operating theatre
• Private practice treatment room
• Residential care settings
• Community health settings

Factors affecting sterile field include :

• Physical
• Positive pressure
• Air conditioning system
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Clean equipment and environment
• Personal
• Attire
• Personal hygiene including effective hand washing
• Work and traffic flow processes
• Aseptic conditions
• Identification of breaches
• Accountability for breaches of self and others