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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Apply quality control procedures
  2. Contribute to quality improvements
  3. Maintain commitment to workplace quality standards in own work
  4. Assist in maintaining customer relationships
  5. Update knowledge and skills as required

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 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

Performance Evidence

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.

Knowledge Evidence

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.