This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to perform tests and procedures associated with processing and staining tissues for examination of tissue structure and abnormalities by pathologists and scientists to assist with disease diagnosis. The unit covers tests and procedures that are associated with anatomical pathology and may involve the use of automated processors and staining machines.

This unit applies to laboratory technicians and technical officers in the biomedical sector. The unit principally refers to techniques performed on human tissues, but many aspects may be relevant to animal and plant tissues. This unit of competency assumes that the technical officer would perform tests and procedures under the close supervision of scientific and/or medical staff. Although a supervisor may not always be present, the technician will follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will clearly describe the scope of permitted practice in modifying testing procedures, quality control procedures, interpretation of data, and for communicating test results to people outside the laboratory. Technical workers may need to interrupt their routine work in order to assist with or perform procedures to facilitate rapid diagnosis of specimens from patients in the operating theatre. The involvement of the technical officer in mortuary work will be determined by the workplace. Work of this nature will always be closely supervised by scientific/medical staff.

No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. However, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements for laboratory operations exist, so local requirements should be checked. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must also be applied.

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

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

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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.

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
Select processor program for routine and non-routine samples
Perform equipment pre-use checks on the tissue processor to ensure sample integrity is maintained
Perform equipment pre-use check on embedding centre to ensure samples integrity and uninterrupted embedding of processor load
Embed tissue types in correct orientation and characteristics that minimise tissue loss and artefacts during microtomy
Check tissue for complete processing prior to embedding
Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between tissues
Inspect blocks, reject and re-embed items that do not meet quality control standards
Check the flotation bath is ready and satisfactory for use
Prepare and adjust all external parts of a microtome and associated equipment to accommodate requirements of tissue batch
Secure block in microtome following specified safety directions
Orientate the block correctly for each specific tissue in order to maintain sample integrity and minimise artefacts
Cut thin tissue sections according to needs of subsequent procedures, maintaining sample integrity, minimising artefacts and conserving tissue for further testing
Float sections onto water bath to flatten tissues
Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring patient identification on slides matches that on the block
Compare the blocks and sections ensuring the tissue on slides matches that in the blocks
Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between patient tissues
Identify, troubleshoot and resolve common section quality control issues
Inspect sections and reject any that do not meet quality control standards
Prepare labile reagents for immediate use
Select reagents for specified technique, ensuring reagent sequence matches standard procedure
Stain sections according to method using the required quality control section and accommodating any authorised variations
Mount slides using medium compatible with staining technique ensuring no bubbles
Examine control sections microscopically to ensure expected staining outcomes are achieved and procedural artefacts are detected
Collate and cross-check slides, blocks and test request forms to ensure requirements have been met
Attach permanent label with case, specimen and stain details as required by workplace
Confirm microscopically that the type/disease is appropriate and still present in the control sections for each stain
Approve slides and release to pathologist
Identify specimens and request forms that do not comply with minimum industry requirements for labelling, identification and test requests
Select processor program for routine and non-routine samples
Perform equipment pre-use check on embedding centre to ensure samples integrity and uninterrupted embedding of processor load
Check the flotation bath is ready and satisfactory for use
Prepare labile reagents for immediate use
Complete control stain quality assessment forms to report quality control outcomes

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL975029 - Perform histological tests

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

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Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSL975029 - Perform histological tests

Student name:

Student ID:

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

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Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: