Unit of competency details

HLT07 Version 4

HLT07 Version 5

Comments

HLTTH404C Provide routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite

HLTTH404D - Provide routine care and handling of equipment within the operating suite

Unit updated in V5.

ISC upgrade changes to remove references to old OHS legislation and replace with references to new WHS legislation. No change to competency outcome.

Descriptor 

This 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

Application 

Work performed requires a broad knowledge, a range of well developed skills and the ability to apply known solutions to a range of predictable problems. Individuals use discretion and judgement and take responsibility for their own outputs

All tasks are conducted in accordance with organisation policies and procedures including WHS and infection control guidelines

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. 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

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:

• Infection control policy and procedures in relation to operating theatre equipment
• Intra-operative client safety concerning the location and movement of equipment
• Medical and operating room terms used relevant to the worker's role
• Medico-legal implications in relation to the use of equipment by the technician in the operating suite environment
• Work health and safety (WHS) procedures in relation to operating theatre equipment
• Relevant anatomy and physiology required to appreciate the set-up and operation of operating theatre equipment
• Surgical and interventional procedures undertaken in the operating theatre

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Apply operating theatre equipment cleaning procedures
• Comply with client privacy requirements
• Follow procedures for timely set-up, trouble-shooting, shut-down, cleaning and storage of operating theatre equipment
• Identify basic and routine faults and problems with operating theatre equipment
• Identify the range and purpose of a range of operating theatre equipment and consumables
• Perform minor maintenance procedures
• Recognise boundary of role in relation to maintenance of operating theatre equipment
• Recognise hazards related to the use of each item of a range of operating theatre equipment

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:

• Communicate with health professionals
• Communicate with maintenance engineers and technicians
• Deal with conflict
• Display empathy with clients and relatives
• Solve problems including an ability to use available resources

continued ...

Essential skills (contd):

• Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues
• Undertake basic training and instruction skills
• Undertake use of appropriate cleaning chemicals
• Use and position client padding and other aids for adult and/or paediatric clients
• 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
• effective verbal and non verbal communication with a range of internal and external persons
• literacy in English

• 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 includes the ability to understand symbols used in WHS signs, reading workplace safety pamphlets or procedure manuals, and reading labels
• Use numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations
• Work cooperatively as a member of the theatre team
• Work with others and display empathy with client and relatives

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

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