Required skills

Required skills include

planning the picking up of items in conjunction with a supervisor

preparing a vehicle for the required journey

using communication devices so contact is possible between the courier reception centre and routine pickup locations

communicating effectively and courteously with individuals customers clients and reception staff

recording details of item exchange in relevant sections of chain of custody forms as required

maintaining the integrity of collected samples or equipment during transport

containing and cleaning up spillage or breakages

using appropriate techniques and equipment to safely dispose of waste materials

maintaining confidentiality in all aspects of work

reporting of problems accidents or incidents in accordance with enterprise procedures

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

the relationship between effective communication with clients and customers and enterprise business

the need for appropriate and timely transport

control measures for minimising exposure to hazardous materials and equipment

effect of changes in environmental conditions vibration and shock on samples

procedures for the containment and cleanup of spillages and breakages

efficient waste containment and disposal practices

maintenance requirements of equipment used in the processes of handling and transporting samples

relevant health safety and environment requirements

enterprise procedures for responding to emergencies

contact details for key personnel

Specific industry

Additional knowledge requirements may apply for different industry sectors For exampleBiomedical samples

labile nature of biological and environmental samples

possible infectivity of biological materials

possible effects of exposure to radioactive materials

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors should ensure that candidates can

follow required policies and procedures to maintain the integrity of collected samples or equipment during transport

deal with customers effectively and courteously

work safely

maintain confidentiality and report problems accidents and incidents in accordance with procedures

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSLA Participate in laboratoryfield workplace safety

MSL943002A Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety.

Resources may include

vehicle

enterprise procedures for the handling and transport of samples or equipment

communication devices

sample containers

containers for transporting samples and testcalibration equipment

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of the job sheets or journal of completed activities

direct observation of work as a courier

the quality of review of results traceable to the transport of samples or equipment by candidate

oral or written questions to assess knowledge of the handling of unforseen circumstances

simulated role plays between a courier and personnel at a reception desk or customer pickup centre

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

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and show its relevance in a workplace setting

Calibration

Calibration laboratories must take special care to ensure that they do not damage test equipment during handling testing or storage Information relating to equipment requiring special handling transport or storage conditions should be provided to those responsible for collecting and transporting the items

A customerorientated calibration laboratory offers a door to door calibration service to most of its clients Once a week their driver arrives at a major facility and takes delivery of several precision measuring instruments As always the driver signs the acceptance note paying particular attention that all the items are recorded correctly including listing all accessories and associated handbooks But this time two delicate items require unique transit cases to ensure they are stored and transported upright Because the laboratory received prior notice these cases were loaded into the van before setting off as well as a copy of the special transport and packaging instructions The driver secures all the items in accordance with the accompanied written instructions to ensure their safe travel and minimise damage during transit Upon return the driver unloads the van and the instruments are acquitted by administration staff inspected for damage and booked into the laboratory The lab supervisor makes sure that their technicians are aware of the special handling requirements of the two delicate instruments

Biotechnology

During transit samples must be handled and maintained under conditions which will ensure that their potency and efficacy are maintained A courier has been asked to transport vaccine samples from the airport to the enterprise for laboratory evaluation The supervisor faxes the courier company detailed instructions regarding pickup and handlingstorage conditions during transit In this case the samples are in insulated containers and the temperature is monitored and recorded continuously The courier collects the samples puts them in the coolest part of the vehicle ensuring that the package will not be subject to any sudden jolts and transports them to the enterprise After the samples arrive they are checked by the enterprise and appropriate documentation completed

Biomedical

At am the courier commences the day shift The shift supervisor identifies the collection centres to be visited The courier takes the mobile phone from the charger and checks their pager In the vehicle the courier logs in the odometer reading makes a mental note of the fuel level checks the cooler boxes and other equipment and carefully drives out Today there are pickups from four private hospitals and collecting centres in a sq km zone As they approach the first hospital there is a call from base with instructions to collect a tissue biopsy and bring it back immediately Heshe asks the base contact to tell haematology that their am specimen arrival will be minutes late because of this unforseen diversion Eventually they complete the round having remembered to replenish specimen collecting stock at each centre visited

Environmental

A technical assistant regularly handles and transports sensitive equipment over rough terrain in a WD vehicle After reaching a field site they are asked to transport expensive water monitoring equipment across an estuary in a small aluminium boat The assistant notes that the equipment boxes are open to the weather and will need to be made waterproof Because the water is choppy the assistant adds extra packing material to cushion the most shock sensitive items They choose to travel with the equipment rather than entrusting it to the local fisherman Together they carefully secure the items on the seats rather than placing them on the floor of the boat which is wet

Environmental

A waste management authority has sent one of their laboratory technicians to collect six containers that have been found by a member of the public on the verge of an industrial area service road Given that the materials may be hazardous the technician assembles a full set of safety equipment They also locate a laptop computer with MSDS information a list of phone contacts for agencies responsible for handling hazardous materials and suitable containers for storingtransporting potentially hazardous materials Upon arrival at the site the technician locates six containers of concentrated sulphuric acid which are clearly labelled The technician consults the MSDS for information on appropriate handling storage and transportation procedures and follows them closely

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Paperwork and documentation

Maintenance of the integrity of samples or test/calibration equipment

Hazards

Safety practices

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements