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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Receive samples and process associated request forms
   • Check samples and request form details before they are accepted
   • Return samples and request forms that do not comply with requirements to source with reasons for non-acceptance
   • Log samples, recording details that allow accurate tracking and chain of custody
   • Distribute samples for local testing or dispatch samples to other testing facilities
   • Store samples appropriately where testing or transport is to be delayed
2. Prepare for safe microbiological work and aseptic applications
   • Select work area and equipment required for the safe handling of materials that may contain microorganisms of specified risk groups
   • Wear protective apparel, replacing it when contamination is suspected
   • Apply correct disinfection procedures to work areas before and after use
   • Locate relevant emergency equipment for timely response to microbiological accidents
   • Apply standard precautions when handling biological materials
   • Minimise the production and release of aerosols, using biological safety cabinets where necessary
   • Clean spills, and report all spills and suspected incidents to supervisor
   • Wash hands before and after laboratory work and when contamination is suspected
   • Ensure the safe disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes in accordance with workplace procedures
3. Process samples for direct examination
   • Prepare thin smears of samples for subsequent staining to enable microscopic identification of cells
   • Prepare liquid films of specimens for direct observation for motility or cell structure
   • Prepare samples to concentrate material for subsequent staining or microscopy
4. Prepare pure cultures for microbiological work and aseptic applications
   • Select culture media to maximise growth of microorganisms and cells
   • Inoculate media aseptically, applying techniques suitable for purpose of culture
   • Incubate inoculated media in conditions to optimise growth of organisms and cells
   • Subculture on suitable media to optimise production of pure cultures
5. Perform procedures that can assist in the identification of microorganisms
   • Select staining techniques to demonstrate required cellular characteristics
   • Stain prepared films to demonstrate diagnostically useful characteristics
   • Inoculate and incubate media with pure cultures to assist in the biochemical and immunological identification of microorganisms
   • Perform tests on pure cultures to assist in the biochemical and immunological identification of microorganisms
   • Perform antibiotic sensitivity testing, if required
6. Estimate the number and/or size of micro-organisms in samples
   • Count cells in undiluted samples to indicate the dilution necessary to reliably count organisms in culture
   • Prepare serial dilutions of samples aseptically for culture and colony counting
   • Count colonies for calculating number of viable organisms per unit volume
   • Count microorganisms in samples and cultures using spectrometric and electronic methodologies, where relevant
   • Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with workplace procedures, where relevant
7. Maintain records of laboratory work
   • Make entries on report forms or into computer systems, accurately calculating, recording or transcribing data as required
   • Maintain instrument logs as required by accreditation checklists
   • Maintain security and confidentiality of all clinical information, laboratory data and 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, guidelines and codes covering laboratory safety; competence of testing and calibration laboratories; occupational protective equipment; labelling of workplace substances; storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods; environmental management; physical containment levels and facility types; and safety cabinets national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, and national measurement regulations and guidelines specific codes, guidelines and methods covering microbiological procedures, and small scale genetic manipulation work in accordance with gene technology regulations workplace documents, such as SOPs; quality procedures; equipment manuals; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; waste minimisation, containment and safe disposal procedures; cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements instructions to comply with new legislation, standards, guidelines and codes sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal) test procedures (validated and authorised) schematics, work flows and laboratory layouts
Communication	Communication includes interactions with one or more of: supervisors and managers (laboratory, quality and customer service) personnel in other laboratories in the workplace or in other workplaces to which work may be referred customers, patients and clients external auditors and accreditation agencies (e.g. National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA))
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 personal protective equipment (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
WHS and environmental management requirements	WHS and environmental management requirements include: applying standard precautions relating to the potential infectivity of samples and materials presented for laboratory processing 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 performing at least five (5) microbiological tests/procedures for the culturing, isolating, identifying and counting microorganisms

consistently and accurately describing different bacterial colony forms on common media

preparing and staining thin smears and preparing liquid films

estimating the number and size of microorganisms in samples

selecting, inoculating and incubating culture media

performing biochemical and immunological identification tests on pure cultures to assist in the of microorganisms

not contaminating self, other people, the work area, equipment or the samples or materials under test

not contaminating media or reagents during manipulations involving the transfer of cultures

identifying artefacts or image aberrations attributable to misalignment or obstruction of light paths or condensers used in microscopy, or with other steps in microscopic examinations

consistently and accurately performing Gram staining of bacteria

accurately and concisely preparing data and documentation that is in accordance with workplace requirements

reporting all incidents or accidents

disinfecting any spillages and safely disposing of all contaminated materials

decontaminating the work area upon completion of work.

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

microbiological terminology, including bacteriology, parasitology, virology and mycology

disinfection and sterilisation as applied to practical aspects of microbiology

microbial diversity

microorganisms of importance in medicine, in production of foods and other manufactured goods, and in assessment of the natural environment

cell biology and chemistry related to laboratory phenomena, such as growth and isolation of organisms for identification

microbial genetics

rationale for sample dilution when preparing materials for enumerating organisms and other pure culture work (e.g. Most Probable Number (MPN) technique)

need for accurate identification of sample source (e.g. body, specimen, process line and field location)

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

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