Roles and responsibilities
Practice leadership
The practice owner and manager need to support the implementation of all policies and procedures for the reprocessing of reusable medical devices at the practice.
They need to:
- assign responsibility and authority for reprocessing activities to one of the practice’s infection prevention and control coordinators, document and communicate this to the practice team
- establish and maintain working relationships between all members of the practice team and external stakeholders responsible for the management, performance and verification of reprocessing activities.
Infection prevention and control coordinator
See Role of the infection prevention and control coordinator.
The practice’s infection prevention and control coordinator/s with accountability for reprocessing activities need to:
- have relevant experience in reprocessing reusable medical devices
- have the authority to implement the practice’s policies
- implement safe and quality reprocessing procedures
- supervise day-to-day reprocessing activities.
Staff training and education
Correct reprocessing of reusable medical devices requires technical expertise and knowledge to minimise the risk of infection transmission. Practices need to ensure that training, supervision, and competency assessment are delivered and overseen by a competent person.
Staff involved in reprocessing need to:
- receive structured, documented education and training, either through in-house programs or external courses
- be supervised by a competent person during training and initial practice to ensure safe and correct technique
- undergo regular, documented competency assessments conducted by a competent person to confirm they can perform reprocessing tasks reliably and safely
- fully understand each task, know exactly how to perform every step, and reliably follow all steps without deviation
- complete additional training whenever new procedures, devices, or equipment are introduced
- only perform tasks appropriate to their training; responsibilities must not be delegated to staff without prior training and assessment.
Training options include:
- in-house training by a competent, experienced staff member, provided it is structured, documented, and aligned with current standards and guidelines. This is particularly useful for new staff induction or refresher training.
- external courses from Australian education providers; the Sterilizing Research Advisory Council of Australia provides a list of sterilising courses available in all states and territories.
Competency assessment
Why it matters
Logging training and competency assessments is essential for:
- ensuring staff are qualified to perform reprocessing tasks
- supporting continuous improvement and accountability
- demonstrating compliance during accreditation.
Minimum documentation needs to include:
- date and type of training
- trainer name and credentials
- staff member’s name and role
- assessment method and outcome
- signature or verification by IPC coordinator or manager
- follow-up actions, such as refresher training, corrective action.
Practices could use a structured logbook or digital system to record training. Ensure records are easily accessible and retained according to your jurisdiction’s requirements.
Competency assessment can be performed onsite and needs to cover all critical tasks in reprocessing, including:
- correct application of standard precautions, including hand hygiene and personal protective equipment
- cleaning of equipment and the reprocessing area, correctly following the practice’s protocols (including cleaning products, cleaning equipment and cleaning methods)
- adherence to workflow protocols in the reprocessing area to avoid cross-contamination
- correct inspection and packaging of reusable medical devices and equipment
- correct loading of the steriliser
- choosing the correct sterilisation cycle
- monitoring and recording the sterilisation cycle
- unloading the steriliser
- parameters for releasing reusable medical devices and equipment for reuse
- correct storage of equipment and reusable medical devices
- tracking of sterilised items used in procedures
- rotation of sterile stock
- detecting abnormalities in the process, recording them, and taking appropriate corrective action
- steriliser cleaning and maintenance requirements (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual maintenance, annual calibration and servicing, validation)
- cleaning and maintenance requirements for all other reprocessing equipment including ultrasonic cleaners, washer-disinfectors with or without ultrasonic capacity, and biological indicator readers
- following the practice’s procedures for steriliser operation and maintenance.