Assessor Resource

MSL933002
Contribute to the achievement of quality objectives

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency covers the development of a working knowledge of quality principles and their application in laboratory/field work.

This unit of competency is applicable to samplers/testers, production operators and laboratory/field assistants working in all industry sectors. These personnel have defined roles and responsibilities within the workplace's quality system which are set out in quality manuals and workplace procedures.

While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Apply quality control procedures

1.1

Record data for quality control purposes

1.2

Recognise and report non-conformances in keeping with job role and quality procedures

2

Contribute to quality improvements

2.1

Review own work practices for opportunities to continuously improve performance

2.2

Identify and report opportunities for improvements in procedures, processes and equipment in work area

3

Maintain commitment to workplace quality standards in own work

3.1

Maintain an objective of 'right first time'

3.2

Conduct work in accordance with sustainability work practices

3.3

Minimise waste and rework in accordance with workplace guidelines

3.4

Demonstrate 'job ownership' for whole tasks through a commitment to finish and follow-up

3.5

Ensure that personal actions conform with the code of ethics relevant to the workplace

4

Assist in maintaining customer relationships

4.1

Demonstrate an understanding of the business goals, products and services of the workplace when dealing with customers in relation to own function

4.2

Communicate appropriately with customers in keeping with knowledge and authority limitations and quality requirements

5

Update knowledge and skills as required

5.1

Recognise own strengths and limitations and take advantage of opportunities for skill development

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

applying workplace quality control principles and procedures to laboratory/field work

contributing to improvements in productivity and quality through teamwork and commitment to personal work standards

maintaining personal commitment and compliance to quality objectives

providing quality products and services to customers consistent with the job role

resolving simple customer inquiries

minimising waste and rework.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

quality requirements of the candidate's job role and functions

workplace procedures associated with the candidate's routine technical duties

layout of the workplace, divisions and laboratory

lines of communication

organisational structure of the workplace

products and services provided by the workplace

role of laboratory services to the workplace and customers

scheduling of tests and procedures to meet customer requirements

role of internal and external audits

recording, reporting and document control requirements

continuous improvement and waste minimisation principles

work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL913001 Communicate with other people

technical units of competency dealing with sampling and testing.

Holistic assessment methods include:

review of quality control data collected by the candidate

review of quality improvements suggested by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers

flow charts or diagrams prepared by the candidate to describe workflows and workplace layout (alternatively, the candidate could explain existing charts or diagrams)

oral or written questions about quality concepts and workplace procedures.

Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:

workplace quality system as set out in quality manuals and workplace procedures

standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

The assessor must demonstrate both technical competency and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience.

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR

having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Apply quality control procedures

1.1

Record data for quality control purposes

1.2

Recognise and report non-conformances in keeping with job role and quality procedures

2

Contribute to quality improvements

2.1

Review own work practices for opportunities to continuously improve performance

2.2

Identify and report opportunities for improvements in procedures, processes and equipment in work area

3

Maintain commitment to workplace quality standards in own work

3.1

Maintain an objective of 'right first time'

3.2

Conduct work in accordance with sustainability work practices

3.3

Minimise waste and rework in accordance with workplace guidelines

3.4

Demonstrate 'job ownership' for whole tasks through a commitment to finish and follow-up

3.5

Ensure that personal actions conform with the code of ethics relevant to the workplace

4

Assist in maintaining customer relationships

4.1

Demonstrate an understanding of the business goals, products and services of the workplace when dealing with customers in relation to own function

4.2

Communicate appropriately with customers in keeping with knowledge and authority limitations and quality requirements

5

Update knowledge and skills as required

5.1

Recognise own strengths and limitations and take advantage of opportunities for skill development

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

Australian and international standards covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and quality management

National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation program requirements

national measurement regulations and guidelines

specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as Australia New Zealand Food Standards (ANZFS) Code, Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality and equipment manuals, calibration and maintenance schedules, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures, material, production and product specifications, production and laboratory schedules, workplace recording and reporting procedures, waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures

customer specific requirements/standards

Quality control procedures

Quality control procedures include one or more of:

standards imposed by regulatory and licensing bodies

workplace quality procedures

working to a customer brief and associated quality procedures

checklists to monitor job progress against agreed time, costs and quality standards

the use of hold points to evaluate conformance

the use of inspection and test plans to check compliance

Sustainable work practices

Sustainable work practices include, but not limited to, one or more of:

examining work practices that use excessive electricity

switching off equipment when not in use

regularly cleaning filters

insulating rooms and buildings to reduce energy use

recycling and reusing materials wherever practicable

minimising process waste

Reporting

Reporting involves one or more of:

verbal responses

data entry into laboratory information management system (LIMS) or workplace databases

brief written reports using workplace proformas

Quality improvement opportunities

Quality improvement opportunities that relate to the work of laboratory assistants include one or more of:

improved methods for sampling, testing and recording data

improved hygiene and sanitation procedures

minimisation of waste and rework

improved laboratory layout and work flow

Work health and safety (WHS) and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

· complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

· applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

applying workplace quality control principles and procedures to laboratory/field work

contributing to improvements in productivity and quality through teamwork and commitment to personal work standards

maintaining personal commitment and compliance to quality objectives

providing quality products and services to customers consistent with the job role

resolving simple customer inquiries

minimising waste and rework.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

quality requirements of the candidate's job role and functions

workplace procedures associated with the candidate's routine technical duties

layout of the workplace, divisions and laboratory

lines of communication

organisational structure of the workplace

products and services provided by the workplace

role of laboratory services to the workplace and customers

scheduling of tests and procedures to meet customer requirements

role of internal and external audits

recording, reporting and document control requirements

continuous improvement and waste minimisation principles

work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL913001 Communicate with other people

technical units of competency dealing with sampling and testing.

Holistic assessment methods include:

review of quality control data collected by the candidate

review of quality improvements suggested by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers

flow charts or diagrams prepared by the candidate to describe workflows and workplace layout (alternatively, the candidate could explain existing charts or diagrams)

oral or written questions about quality concepts and workplace procedures.

Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:

workplace quality system as set out in quality manuals and workplace procedures

standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

The assessor must demonstrate both technical competency and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience.

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR

having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Record data for quality control purposes 
Recognise and report non-conformances in keeping with job role and quality procedures 
Review own work practices for opportunities to continuously improve performance 
Identify and report opportunities for improvements in procedures, processes and equipment in work area 
Maintain an objective of 'right first time' 
Conduct work in accordance with sustainability work practices 
Minimise waste and rework in accordance with workplace guidelines 
Demonstrate 'job ownership' for whole tasks through a commitment to finish and follow-up 
Ensure that personal actions conform with the code of ethics relevant to the workplace 
Demonstrate an understanding of the business goals, products and services of the workplace when dealing with customers in relation to own function 
Communicate appropriately with customers in keeping with knowledge and authority limitations and quality requirements 
Recognise own strengths and limitations and take advantage of opportunities for skill development 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL933002 - Contribute to the achievement of quality objectives
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSL933002 - Contribute to the achievement of quality objectives

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: