Google Links

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

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Monitor and direct work practices within functional area
   • Ensure that personnel follow all relevant procedures, regulations and standards
   • Confirm that all technical work is performed in accordance with relevant standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and schedules
   • Ensure that analytical results/data are checked, collated and distributed in accordance with workplace requirements
   • Monitor testing and sampling procedures for quality control in accordance with workplace requirements
   • Identify and resolve complex problems by using agreed problem-solving strategies and act to prevent their recurrence
2. Manage personnel within work area
   • Develop and coordinate rosters to balance job requirements, laboratory efficiency and skill development opportunities
   • Empower work groups/teams in dealing with technical and workflow problems and suggesting improvements
   • Provide coaching and mentoring to support personnel who have difficulties with meeting targets for performance and/or resource usage
   • Establish and maintain effective communication with all personnel and clients to ensure smooth and efficient operations
3. Establish resource requirements, operating plans and budget
   • Collect and analyse available resource information in consultation with appropriate personnel
   • Prepare operational plans which make the best use of available resources, taking into account client needs and workplace plans
   • Identify and analyse possible variances due to external/internal factors and prepare contingency plans
   • Collect and analyse information to develop/revise an operating budget for the work/functional area
4. Procure resources to achieve operational plans
   • Analyse resource requirements and sources of supply in terms of suitability, cost, quality and availability
   • Select and purchase new materials and equipment in accordance with workplace procedures
   • Coordinate stocktaking of materials and equipment to ensure maintenance of stock at prescribed levels
   • Ensure that personnel are competent to perform required tasks and organise training if required
   • Arrange for the recruitment and induction of personnel as appropriate
5. Monitor and optimise operational performance and resource usage
   • Monitor the relationship between budget and actual performance to foresee problems
   • Analyse variations in budget performance and either report or rectify abnormal/sub-optimal performance
   • Negotiate with designated personnel and seek approval for variations to operational plans as required
   • Assess utilisation of plant, equipment and consumables and compare with planned usage
   • Rectify sub-optimal utilisation of plant, equipment and consumables
   • Program and arrange for maintenance of plant and equipment in accordance with workplace maintenance schedules
   • Maintain systems, procedures and records associated with resource usage in accordance with workplace requirements

Range Statement

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 and codes relevant to the laboratory’s operations and scope of testing work health and safety (WHS) national standards and codes of practice registration/licensing and/or National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements workplace documents and/or plans covering management of laboratory services, quality, environment, personnel, budgets and maintenance
Equipment and systems	Equipment and systems include, but are not limited to: computer equipment, information management systems and financial accounting systems
Problem solving	Problem solving includes: troubleshooting and fault-finding risk analysis, root cause analysis and/or aspect/impact analysis non-routine operational, technical, administrative and/or personnel-related problems
Supervisory responsibilities	Supervisory responsibilities within functional area include: work practices, personnel, operational plans and performance
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

---

Performance Evidence

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

supervising day-to-day laboratory operations of a work/functional area

ensuring that legislation, statutory and workplace requirements are met in work operations

collecting and analysing information to develop/revise operating plans and budget

achieving planned outcomes within agreed resource and budget parameters without compromising safety, quality and ethics

coordinating stocktakes, selecting and purchasing materials and equipment

programing and arranging for maintenance of plant and equipment

making decisions within limits of responsibility and authority

monitoring outputs, analysing processes and introducing ways to improve operations

solving a range of non-routine problems

motivating and mentoring personnel to improve performance.

---

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

laboratory services and/or products and customers in work/functional area

legislation, codes, standards and registration criteria relevant to the work area or function

business operational plans and key performance indicators (KPIs) for work/functional area

principles of budgeting, operational planning and efficient resource use

workplace industrial agreements and regulations dealing with hygiene, dress and behaviour of employees

standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the technical details of sampling, testing, equipment and instrumentation within the work area

problem-solving techniques and contingency planning

auditing procedures in work/functional area

team leadership, mentoring and coaching techniques

work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

---