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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Receive specimens
   • Receive and process specimens and requests in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Check pathology request forms and specimens documentation for adequate labelling in accordance with organisation and regulatory requirements
   • Ensure suitability of specimens for requested tests consulting laboratory directories or manuals
   • Reject specimens if necessary and complete documentation in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Notify or consult with senior staff members as required
   • Follow infection control and workplace safety protocols relating to the safe handling of specimens
3. Complete administrative processing of specimens
   • Label specimens and request forms with unique laboratory number or bar code label in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Register request forms, specimen and patient information into laboratory information systems in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Complete administrative documentation in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
4. Prepare specimens
   • Confirm requirements for specimen processing in accordance with organisation procedures
   • Perform separation of sample by centrifugation in accordance with test requirements and organisation procedures
   • Prepare and label tubes for aliquotting in accordance with organisation procedures
   • Transfer sample by aliquotting into appropriate tubes in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Sort samples according to appropriate laboratory department for testing in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Store samples in accordance with test requirements and organisation procedures
5. Dispatch specimens
   • Ensure specimens for dispatch are packaged and labelled in accordance with organisation and regulatory requirements
   • Complete appropriate dispatch documentation in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Dispatch specimens in accordance with organisation procedures and regulatory requirements

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

followed established procedures, safety requirements and infection control guidelines in the receipt, registration, sorting, storage and dispatch of at least 5 different pathology specimens

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations for pathology specimen reception and preparation work, and how these are applied in organisations:

codes of practice, impact on national laboratory standards on role

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

work role boundaries

types of hazardous substances that may be received and how to respond:

bio-hazardous substances

formalin

hydrochloric acids

additives and fixatives

criteria for rejection of specimens at reception stage

pre-test processing requirements and procedures:

coding

sorting

aliquotting

medical terminology and chemical abbreviations used in the pathology specimen handling process

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