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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Interpret and schedule work requirements
  2. Receive and prepare biological samples
  3. Perform techniques that assist in the classification of a cell or species
  4. Perform techniques that analyse biological activity
  5. Process and interpret data
  6. Maintain a safe work environment
  7. Maintain laboratory records

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 management; volumetric glassware; chemical analysis using techniques, such as ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrophotometry or atomic absorption spectrometry

national work health and safety (WHS)standards and codes of practice, and national measurement regulations and guidelines

specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as the Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), principles of good laboratory practice (GLP), Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) and/or American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC) methods for inorganic constituents

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; and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures

Techniques for preparation of samples

Techniques for preparation of samples include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

dissection, such as preparation of thymus extracts from mice

extraction (e.g. solvent extraction)

filtration (e.g. filter water samples and plate the sediment onto agar plates for incubation and growth of E. coli)

separation (e.g. dialysis)

precipitation and flocculation

centrifugation (excluding ultra centrifugation)

chromatography, such as:

gel filtration chromatography (e.g. crude purification of proteins)

affinity chromatography (e.g. purification of immunoglobulins)

electrophoresis, such as:

polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for separation of DNA segments

agarose gel electrophoresis

capillary electrophoresis

gradient gel electrophoresis

Techniques to classify cells or species

Techniques to classify cells or species include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

classification of species according to taxa

classification of cells according to microscopic or staining characteristics

characteristics of bacterial colonies:

growth on differential media

colony morphology (size and shape)

biochemical reactions, such as miniaturised test strips, redox reactions and sugar tests

Techniques to analyse chemical and biological characteristics

Techniques to analyse chemical and biological characteristics include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

staining, such as:

Gram stain for gram negative and positive bacteria

Romanowsky stain for blood films

Haematoxylin and Eosin for tissue sections

Oil red O for fatty cellular inclusions

spore staining

flagella staining

microscopic examination, such as:

light

phase contrast

bright field

dark ground

enumeration

colorimetry and spectrophotometry, such as:

UV-VIS

fluorimetric

infrared

flame emission

atomic absorption spectrometry

electrochemistry, such as:

pH

ion selective electrodes and polarography (e.g. concentration of chloride ions)

chromatography, such as:

column and thin layer analytical and preparative chromatography

gas and liquid chromatography for purity, raw material and formulation checks

Safe work practices

Safe work practices include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials

handling and storage of hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer instructions

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using workplace procedures

using PPE, such as gloves, safety glasses, coveralls and gowns

using containment facilities (e.g. PCII, PCIII and PCIV physical containment laboratories), containment equipment (e.g. biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets) and containment procedures

following established manual handling procedures

reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/waste water, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates, to appropriate personnel

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:

safely performing at least five (5) routine biological techniques that involve several steps to classify cell types, species and biologically active compounds by analysing their biological and chemical characteristics

accurately interpreting work requirements and following test procedures and safe work practices

safely preparing samples and using separation techniques

conducting pre-use and calibration checks on equipment

safely operating test equipment and instruments for qualitative and quantitative analysis in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer specifications

maintaining and evaluating reagents

processing data, estimating uncertainties, preparing calibration graphs and calculating results in appropriate units and precision

applying basic theoretical knowledge to interpret gross features of data and making relevant conclusions

troubleshooting obvious departures from standard procedures

identifying atypical results as out-of-normal range or an artefact using reference material or quality control sera

tracing and sourcing obvious causes of an artefact

communicating problems to a supervisor or outside service technician

recording and communicating results according to workplace procedures

maintaining security, integrity, traceability and identity of samples, sub-samples and documentation

safely collecting, storing and disposing of biohazardous wastes.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

biological principles and concepts underpinning tests and procedures associated with job role, such as:

chemical and biochemical characteristics of lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and proteins influencing structure, function and reactivity both in vitro and in vivo

molecular interactions within the compounds of nucleic acids and nucleotides, proteins and amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids and vitamins, influencing structure, activity, chemical reactivity and physical properties, including solubility, energy levels and emission/absorption spectra

chemical significance of biologically significant ions, such as calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and phosphate

basic structure and function of organelles, cells, plant and animal tissue and organs relevant to the testing requirements

interrelationships of biological systems (carbon cycle, energy cycle, eutrophication and the web of life)

classification and taxonomy of organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, yeasts, single cell, multi-cellular, plants, animals, prions, helminths, prokaryotes and eukaryotes

phases of the cell cycle

Mendelian genetics, such as inheritance, meiosis, karyotypes, dominant and recessive traits, genotypes and phenotypes, and pedigrees

significance of the genetic code and transcription and translation

cell membrane activity, including diffusion (passive, facilitated and active), osmosis, tonicity and plasmolysis

staining reactions involving acid/base, redox, complex ion formation, solubility and equilibrium

operating principles and function of key components of the equipment and instruments used as part of job role

effects of modifying equipment and instrument variables

basic equipment and method troubleshooting procedures

calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision

sources of uncertainty in measurement and methods for control

importance and appropriate use of controls and certified reference materials

workplace and legal requirements for traceability

relevant hazards and risks in biological laboratories, work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements.