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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Interpret and schedule test requirements
  2. Receive and handle samples
  3. Prepare equipment and reagents
  4. Extract, verify and manipulate biomolecules
  5. Process data
  6. Maintain a safe work environment
  7. Report and communicate results

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, and quality and environmental management

Australian Standards covering the requirements for safety cabinets; cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment and maintenance of associated environments in health care facilities; and verification and use of volumetric apparatus

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

specific codes, guidelines and procedures, such as National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) requirements, principles of good laboratory practice (GLP), Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), Therapeutic Goods Regulations, National Registration Authority (NRA), Australian Dangerous Goods Code, Guide to physical containment levels and facility types, and Guidelines for small scale genetic manipulation work from the gene technology regulations

workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); quality and equipment manuals; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements; material, client and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures

sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal), and validated and authorised test methods and procedures

Molecular biology tests and procedures

Molecular biology tests and procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

generic techniques, such as:

sample digestion, extraction, filtration, separation, dialysis, precipitation and centrifugation

accurate and reliable use of micropipettes

application of aseptic techniques

labelling (e.g. digoxin, fluorescence, enzymes, radioactivity and antibodies)

production, labelling and use of DNA probes

preparation of competent bacterial cells

preservation and storage of samples (e.g. freezing)

extraction of nucleic acids, such as:

isolation of genomic and plasmid DNA and RNA from samples, such as plants, bacterial suspensions, white blood cells, cheek cells, animal and plant tissue, cultured cells and forensic specimens

mini-prep and rapid method isolation of plasmid DNA

purification of nucleic acids and proteins:

purification of DNA using cesium gradients, commercial purification buffer kits and columns

purification of recombinant protein by chromatography

production of nucleic acids, such as:

amplification of DNA by polymerase chain reaction

transformation with recombinant DNA

identification of transformed organisms with appropriate selection and analytical techniques, such as selective media and insertional inactivation

use of enzymes, such as:

storage and handling of enzymes taking into account segregation, temperature, buffers and labelling to avoid wastage, denaturation and contamination

ligation

analysis of nucleic acids and proteins, such as:

sequencing DNA

assaying of DNA purity and concentration using spectrometric analysis

electrophoresis of restriction enzyme digests of plasmid and genomic DNA using agarose gel

DNA sequencing by Sanger method

testing using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), probes and microsatellites

detection of protein products by measuring activity, including a range of immunological assays

hybridisations, such as:

hybridisation to screen cDNA libraries

blotting (southern blots for DNA and Western blots for protein)

cloning such as:

cloning and sub-cloning of genes and fragments of DNA

applications of techniques:

polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

methods to detect gene expression, such as RNA hybridisation, immunological techniques and radioactive labelling

testing DNA for sequence variation that is either causative of, or associated with, human disease

testing blood for the presence of viruses using the PCR

identification of species, such as bacterial contaminants

generating data for taxonomic and ecological investigations

Corrective action

Corrective action includes:

purification

dilution

additional extraction steps

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, gowns, body suits and respirators

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

applying at least five (5) molecular biology tests and procedures (including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligation and restriction enzyme digestion with appropriate controls) to provide valid, reliable results

isolating, purifying, verifying and manipulating biomolecules and their products using small volumes and multiple-step procedures

interpreting and applying test methods consistently and accurately

safely operating test equipment in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer specifications

preventing and minimising DNA/RNA contamination

identifying atypical results as out-of-normal range or an artefact

tracing and sourcing obvious causes of artefacts

communicating identified problems to a supervisor

maintaining security, integrity, traceability and identity of samples, sub-samples and work records

conducting work practices in an ethical and professional manner and in accordance with relevant legislation, regulation and codes of practice

recording and reporting results in accordance with workplace procedures

following workplace safety procedures.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

common biotechnology terms

molecular biology principles and concepts underpinning tests and procedures relevant to job role, including:

DNA and RNA structure and function

protein structure and function

the relationship between chemical and physical properties of nucleic acids and proteins and the techniques used for sampling, preparation and testing

replication

transcription, translation and gene regulation

relationship between structure, organisation and function of biomolecules to the storage of information in cells, chromatin, circular and linear chromosomes, RNA, genes and plasmids

molecular genetics (molecular nature, organisation and function of genes)

molecular mechanisms of DNA mutation and variation

DNA transfer in prokaryotes (transformation, conjugation and transduction)

restriction enzyme and ligase structure, nomenclature, function, specificity and stability, and cohesive versus blunt ends

ethical issues associated with biotechnology, such as:

use of animals for research

genetic modification of organisms and food

use of gene therapy, cloning and stem cells

in vitro fertilisation

forensic testing of populations

importance of commercial confidentiality, protection of intellectual property (IP) and patents

genetic screening of humans

sex determination and parentage testing of embryos/humans

importance and appropriate use of validation methods, controls and certified reference materials

workplace and/or legal traceability requirements

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