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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 and sub-systems
  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 and guidelines covering specialised spectrometric and chromatographic 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 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; waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures; cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements; and stock records and inventory

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

test procedures (validated and authorised)

Specialised analytical instruments

Specialised analytical instruments include one or more of, but are not limited to:

spectrometric instruments:

electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)

vapour generation AAS

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and diffraction (XRD)

nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

mass spectrometry (MS)

neutron activation analysis (NAA)

inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

chromatographic instruments:

gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS)

GC sampling devices (e.g. headspace and thermal desorption)

specialised GC detection devices (e.g. electron capture detector (ECD), flame photometric detector (FPD) and nitrogen phosphorous detection (NPD))

specialised GC detection devices (e.g. fluorescent, diode array and electrochemical)

liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), electro-spray MS

gas chromatography Fourier transform infrared (GC-FTIR)

electrometric instruments, such as anodic stripping voltammetry

flow injection analytical equipment

Tests requiring specialised analytical instruments

Tests requiring specialised analytical instruments include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

trace analysis

non-destructive testing

multi-analyte determination

analysis involving high sample throughput

Instrument sub-systems

Instrument sub-systems include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

sample introduction units and auto sampling equipment

detectors and signal conditioning units

temperature control devices, such as cryostats, ovens and thermostat baths

software control/interface

Sample preparation

Sample preparation includes one or more of:

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

techniques, such as grinding, mulling, preparation of disks, digestion, dissolving, ashing, refluxing, extraction, filtration, evaporation, flocculation, precipitation, washing, drying and centrifugation

solid-phase micro-extraction

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

ultra-trace procedures requiring high purity solvents, clean rooms, ultra clean glassware and specialised glassware

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

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:

using a specialised analytical instrument to analyse complex samples and obtain valid and reliable data on at least three (3) occasions

accurately interpreting client requests and test methods/procedures

establishing client needs for routine and non-routine samples

safely setting up, operating and shutting down equipment

checking calibration and qualification status of equipment

preparing samples and standards

assembling and optimising instrument sub-systems

optimising a specialised analytical instrument and/or procedures for specific 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 analyte concentrations using appropriate equations, units, uncertainties and precision

recording and reporting data and results using workplace procedures

maintaining security, integrity and traceability of samples and documentation

following workplace safety procedures.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

principles and concepts associated with a specialised analytical instrument’s operation and analytical procedure or test method

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

sample preparation procedures

functions of key components and sub-systems of the instrument and the effects on outputs and results of modifying instrumental variables

procedures for optimising instrument performance

basic procedure and equipment troubleshooting techniques

common analytical procedure and equipment problems, such as:

sample introduction blockages

incomplete atomisation of analyte

poor resolution of peaks

poor sensitivity

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

basic equipment maintenance procedures

workplace and legal traceability requirements

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