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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Log samples
   • Record date (and time of arrival, if required) of samples at workplace
   • Check and match samples with request forms before they are accepted
   • Enter samples into the laboratory information management system (LIMS)
   • Apply required document tracking procedures
   • Process 'urgent' test requests according to workplace requirements
   • Ensure security and traceability of all information, laboratory data and records
2. Address client and customer service issues
   • Report to referring client when samples and request forms do not comply with workplace requirements
   • Refer to supervisor for instruction where 'return to source' is inappropriate or not possible
   • Maintain confidentiality of all client/workplace data and information
   • Ensure that information provided to customers is accurate, relevant and authorised for release
   • Deal with customers politely and efficiently and in accordance with workplace procedures
3. Prepare samples for testing
   • Perform physical separation of the samples, as required
   • Prepare the required number of sub-samples
   • Perform chemical separation of the samples, as required
   • Place samples in appropriate transport media, if appropriate
   • Monitor and control sample conditions before, during and after processing
4. Distribute samples
   • Group samples requiring similar testing requirements
   • Distribute samples to workstations maintaining sample integrity
   • Distribute request forms for data entry or filing in accordance with workplace procedures
   • Check that samples and relevant request forms have been received by laboratory personnel
5. Maintain a safe work area and environment
   • Apply safe work practices to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel
   • Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety when sampling, processing, transferring or disposing of samples
   • Report all accidents and spillages to supervisor
   • Clean up splashes and spillages immediately using appropriate techniques and precautions
   • Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts
   • Ensure the safe disposal of hazardous materials and other laboratory wastes

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; laboratory safety; quality and environmental management; and labelling, storage, transport and disposal of hazardous materials national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, and national environmental protection measures specific codes, guidelines and procedures, such as Australian Dangerous Goods Code, Australia Post Guides, International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regulations, and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Codes of Practice workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); material safety data sheets (MSDS); safety procedures for specific materials and equipment; incident/accident report forms; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; spillage and waste containment and disposal protocols; and customer service standards procedure sheets indicating how samples and sub-samples are to be labelled, prepared, processed, distributed, flagged for urgent testing or for other non-routine requirements, including referral to external laboratories, transport and storage requirements
Samples received	Samples received include, but are not limited to, one or more of: gas or air samples liquid samples, such as water and wastewater, stormwater, sludges, and complex mixtures and sewage solid samples, such as soils and sediments, rocks/minerals, concrete, quarry or mining products solid wastes, such as hazardous, non-hazardous, domestic, commercial, industrial, mining and agricultural biological specimens, such as tissue and blood raw materials, start, middle, end of production run samples and final products
Safe work practices	Safe work practices include, but are not limited to, one or more of: using MSDS and standard precautions when dealing with potentially hazardous materials handling, and storing hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer instructions, and workplace procedures and regulations using biohazard containers and laminar flow cabinets labelling of reagents and hazardous materials correctly regularly cleaning and/or decontaminating equipment and work areas using PPE, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, gowns, body suits, respirators and safety boots
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

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Performance Evidence

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

safely receiving and preparing samples for testing in accordance with workplace procedures on at least three (3) occasions

receiving and preparing at least three (3) different types of samples

logging samples and checking samples for history, acceptable transport conditions and complete documentation

promptly addressing client and customer service issues in consultation with appropriate personnel

labelling, preparing, sub-sampling and storing samples to maintain sample integrity and traceability

distributing samples for efficient testing in accordance with workplace procedures

recognising and dealing with problems according to workplace procedures

dealing with customers politely and efficiently

disposing of samples following required procedures

maintaining confidentiality of all data and information

providing information to customers that is accurate, relevant and authorised for release

maintaining equipment and ensuring a clean and safe work area.

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

workplace procedures for the receipt, labelling, preparation, processing, documentation, distribution and storage of samples used in job role

requirements of specified sample types for specific tests handled in job role

potentially hazardous and unstable nature of samples

importance of maintaining effective customer relations

relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

Additional knowledge applies to industry sectors, for example, biomedical laboratories:

potentially infective nature of all biological materials

nature of unstable solutions, such as anti-coagulated whole blood

non-conformance of clotted samples for procedures, such as routine haematological tests.

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