Course Title: Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work

Part A: Course Overview

Program: C3299 Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Course Title: Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work

Portfolio: SEH Portfolio Office

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
HWSS5711C	City Campus	TAFE	155T Vocational Health and Sciences	Face-to-Face	Term1 2013, Term2 2013, Term1 2014, Term2 2014, Term1 2015, Term2 2015, Term1 2016, Term2 2016

Course Contact: Ms. Suzanne Dellas Fatone

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9341 1406

Course Contact Email: sue.fatone@rmit.edu.au

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for workers in the health care setting to clean and sterilise reusable instruments and equipment and to maintain associated environments. All procedures must be carried out in accordance with current infection control guidelines, Australian and New Zealand Standards and the policies and procedures of the health care establishment.

All tasks must be carried out in accordance with State or Territory legislative requirements that affect work practices of the health care establishment and/or health care worker

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

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

      HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures

National Competency Codes and Titles

National Element Code & Title:	HLTIN302C Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work
Elements:	1. Prepare to clean used items 2. Clean and dry used items 3. Prepare and pack items for sterilisation 4. Sterilise loads 5. Maintain sterilising equipment

Learning Outcomes

1.1 Follow safe work practices and standard precautions at all times in accordance with legislative and workplace guidelines
1.2 Dispose of sharps and sharps debris into a container that meets Australian/New Zealand Standards at the point-of-use
1.3 Segregate and dispose of waste according to organisation and legislative requirements

2.1 Maintain work flow protocols in instrument reprocessing area
2.2 Prepare instruments for cleaning
2.3 Select and safely use appropriate cleaning agents
2.4 Use cleaning methods that avoid the generation of aerosols
2.5 Dry and inspect instruments for damage and remaining debris
2.6 Monitor the cleaning process

3.1 Open and unlock instruments with hinges or ratchets
3.2 Prepare instrument trays in accordance with workplace protocols
3.3 Package or wrap critical site instruments in a manner that prevents damage to delicate items
3.4 Place the appropriate chemical indicator into packages as required in accordance with current Australian/New Zealand Standards and workplace protocols
3.5 Label packs with the contents of the pack and batch control data as required in accordance with current Australian/New Zealand Standards and workplace protocols
3.6 Seal wrapped trays with steriliser indicator tape as required in accordance with current Australian/New Zealand Standards and workplace protocols

4.1 Operate the steriliser safely and in accordance with manufacturer instructions, legislative guidelines and workplace protocols
4.2 Monitor each sterilising cycle and record the details as specified in current Australian/New Zealand Standards
4.3 Maintain records for each sterilising cycle as required in accordance with current Australian/New Zealand Standards and workplace protocols
4.4 Unload the steriliser on the completion of the drying cycle to ensure sterility of items
4.5 Follow criteria for release of processed items as specified in current Australian/New Zealand Standards
4.6 Store sterile packs to maintain sterility in accordance with workplace protocols

5.1 Clean and check sterilisers routinely as required in accordance with current Australian/New Zealand Standards and workplace protocols
5.2 Follow the preventive maintenance program as established by the workplace in conjunction with manufacturer or maintenance contractor
5.3 Monitor the sterilising cycles at the intervals specified in current Australian/New Zealand Standards

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will include demonstration of underpinning skills and knowledge, assessment activities may include quizzes, project work, demonstration of skills through practical observation (simulated/workplace environment) and written work.