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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Establish client needs and schedule analysis
  2. Prepare samples and standards
  3. Set up and optimise instrument
  4. Perform analysis
  5. Process and analyse 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 design and construction, physical containment levels and facility types, laboratory safety, and quality and environmental management

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

Australian and international standards, guidelines and methods for electrophoretic analysis, accuracy of measurement methods and results, expression of uncertainty and quantifying uncertainty

specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as the Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

workplace documents, such as 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; cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements; stock records and inventory

sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal)

test procedures (validated and authorised)

Electrophoretic methods for both analytical and preparative procedures

Electrophoretic methods, for both analytical and preparative procedures, include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

vertical or horizontal apparatus

support materials, such as cellulose acetate

gels, such as agarose and polyacrylamide

buffer solutions

denaturing electrophoresis, such as SDS-PAGE

blot transfer procedures in conjunction with electrophoresis, such as Western and Southern Blot transfers, agarose and polyacrylamide DNA gels

capillary electrophoresis

Tests

Tests include, but are not limited to, methods for one or more of:

control of starting materials, in-process materials and finished products (e.g. food and manufacturing)

therapeutic drug analysis

forensic testing

diagnostic pathology tests

determination of chemical analytes

special conditions for handling minute sample volumes

environmental monitoring

problem-solving techniques for non-routine samples

troubleshooting workplace processes

Sample preparation

Sample preparation includes one or more of:

identification of any hazardous properties associated with the samples and/or analytical chemicals

processes, such as grinding, dissolving, extraction, centrifuging, refluxing, evaporation, washing and drying

determination of and, if appropriate, removal of any contaminants, impurities or interfering substances

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/wastewater, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates, to appropriate personnel

WHS and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements:

· 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:

analysing samples using electrophoretic techniques on at least three (3) occasions to obtain valid and reliable data

establishing client needs for routine and non-routine samples

accurately interpreting client requests, test methods and procedures

safely setting up, operating and shutting down equipment using workplace procedures

checking the calibration and qualification status of equipment

preparing samples using at least three (3) different processes

preparing standards

choosing and optimising procedures and equipment settings to suit sample/test requirements

making approved adjustments to procedures for non-routine samples

interpreting data, recognising atypical test data and results and making relevant conclusions

troubleshooting common analytical procedure and equipment problems

preparing and using calibration charts and standards

identifying and calculating potential sources of uncertainty

calculating results using appropriate equations, units, uncertainties and precision

recording and reporting data and results in accordance with workplace procedures

maintaining security, integrity and traceability of samples and documentation

following safe working procedures.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

electrophoretic principles and concepts related to instrumentation operation, material preparation and testing

details of electrophoresis techniques used to analyse samples relevant to job role

handling of unstable or hazardous chemicals or samples and/or the fragile/labile nature of biological material

sample preparation procedures

function of key components of the equipment and effects on results of modifying instrumental variables, such as field strength, constant current and constant power

procedures for optimising separation through changing operation parameters, such as buffers, pH and detection methods

common analytical procedure and equipment problems, including:

interfering substances

inappropriate support material or operating procedures

toxic or hazardous materials, including impurities in samples

lack of suitable or high purity reference standards

changes in operating variables, such as field strength, constant current, constant power, buffers and pH

obtaining adequate sample volume

basic procedure and equipment troubleshooting techniques

calculation steps to give results in appropriate accuracy, precision, uncertainty and units

workplace and/or legal traceability requirements

basic equipment maintenance procedures

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