The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence.
Critical aspects of competency
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. In particular, assessors should look to see that the candidate can:
store, retrieve and manipulate data following document traceability procedures
calculate scientific quantities relevant to their work and present accurate results in the required format
analyse data to determine relationships between variables
prepare frequency distributions for given data, calculate and interpret measures of central tendency and dispersion
prepare and interpret control charts and take appropriate actions
maintain the security and confidentiality of data in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements
report results in the required formats and expected timeframe.
Underpinning knowledge
Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:
procedures for data traceability
procedures for verifying data and rectifying mistakes
procedures for maintaining and filing records, security of data
the characteristics of a valid measurement
sources of uncertainty in measurements
relevant scientific and technical terminology, such as: variables, dispersion, central tendency, process control, process stability, normal distribution, confidence level and replication.
relevance/importance of the National Measurement Act to laboratory measurement, if applicable.
Competency also includes the ability to perform laboratory computations, such as:
calculations involving fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions and percent
evaluation of formulae containing powers, exponents, logarithms functions
use of scientific notation, correct units, correct number of significant figures
calculation of uncertainties
preparation and interpretation of linear, semi-log and log-log graphs
calculation and interpretation of statistical quantities, such as mean, median, mode, range, variance and standard deviation
determination of regression line equations, correlation coefficients
preparation and interpretation of more complex control charts and frequency distribution plots.
Assessment context and methods
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of data worksheets, calculations, computer files (such as spreadsheets, databases), statistical analysis, graphs and/or tables prepared by the candidate
questions to assess understanding of relevant procedures, trends in data, sources of uncertainty
review of reports prepared by the candidate
feedback from supervisors and peers regarding the candidate's ability to analyse and report data in accordance with enterprise procedures.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.
Interdependent assessment of unit
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
technical units, such as the PMLTEST '400' and '500' series units
PMLDATA501B Use laboratory application software.
Resource implications
Resources may include:
data sets and records
computer and relevant software or laboratory information system
relevant workplace procedures.
This competency in practice
Manufacturing
Before pharmaceutical products can be approved for use in Australia, they must be tested for shelf-life in their Australian sales pack(s). The shelf-life of a preparation is the time of storage which results in a preparation becoming unfit for use, either through chemical decomposition of the active substance(s) or physical deterioration of the preparation. Stability profiles are determined by storing the preparation under a range of temperature conditions and evaluating it at predetermined time intervals. For example, a technical assistant may be required to evaluate the physical parameters of the new tablet to detect any changes in its appearance, hardness, friability, disintegration and dissolution profile. The assistant regularly assays the tablets using a stability indicating assay. The results are plotted and the information gained is used to predict the period of time for which the tablets will meet the appropriate standards for physical characteristics, purity and potency when stored under defined conditions.
Biomedical
Supplementation of vitamins and minerals in the diet as a means to avert a clinical problem is a popular area of research, linking epidemiological and clinical investigation with food analyses. In the example of folate, such combined studies have led to the fortification of a number of foods and the requirement for folate supplementation for women of child bearing age. A typical project team would involve medical staff, a dietician and a scientific or technical officer to perform the assays. One possible line of study is to control the level of supplementation for the person and introduce the micronutrient in a dose form over and above that given in a controlled baseline diet. Blood samples would be collected and the serum micronutrient levels assayed. The technical officer would be responsible for keeping the statistical QC data and analysing the assays. The technical officer would work with the research team to correlate the serum levels with the dose input. To contribute effectively, the technical officer must understand the significance of the relationships between collected test data and the controlled experimental variables.
Food processing
A State government analytical laboratory recently performed comparative assays of (-carotene using spectrometric (UV-VIS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. In any procedure where the assay is to be replaced, side by side analyses must be performed on multiple samples and the correlations between the data compared statistically. The two procedures are then developed or modified for local laboratories and a routine procedure developed. At this point, technical officers would assay the samples by the two methods. They would ensure that all procedures were followed with close attention to quality control. Precision would be assessed through frequent assays of the same samples. Sensitivity of the assay would be assessed by performing the assay over a range of sample concentrations. The technical officers would carefully document the procedures and record all data for later validation. They may also provide preliminary graphical representations of data for their supervisor.
Key Competencies
The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation. The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit. These are stand-alone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Level (1) represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively
Level (2) represents the competence to manage tasks
Level (3) represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Collecting, analysing and organising information | Communicating ideas and information | Planning and organising activities | Working with others and in teams | Using mathematical ideas and techniques | Solving problems | Using technology |
Level 2 | Level 2 | Level 2 | Level 2 | Level 2 | Level 2 | Level 2 |