Required skills

Required skills include

establishing enterprise requirements for a specific analytical instrument from a consideration of client test requests routine and nonroutine samples applicable test methods and costbenefits

locating interpreting and comparing information about analytical instruments used by the enterprise

recommending suitable instruments by analysing factors such as

scope of intended use fixedportable and laboratoryfield and robustness

range of appropriate analytes and test methods and limitations

detection method detection limit accuracy precisionreproducibility sensitivity linearity and response time

software applications

ease of use

purchase price operating costs and level of supplier support

facility to upgrade and add accessories

generation of waste

conducting preuse and calibration checks troubleshooting common faults conducting basic repairs and maintaining analytical instruments used in job role

safely operating analytical instruments used in job role to obtain reliable data

processing and analysing measurement data quantifying analytes and applying established corrections

interpreting manuals and writing operating instructions for analytical instruments used in enterprise

seeking advice and further directions when faced with unforeseen circumstances or situations that may require decisions or response actions beyond technical competence

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

concepts and principles such as

absorption reflection emission fluorescence reflectance scattering refraction polarisation diffraction dispersion and spectra

ionisation recombination photoelectric effect and interaction of ions with electric and magnetic fields

electromagnetic induction and generation of electromagnetic radiation and plasmas

common instrument layout sample introduction energy source singlemultibeam dispersiveanalyte separation components and path detection signal conditioning computer control data processing and display power supply vacuum and pump systems

terms and concepts such as operating voltage accuracy response time sensitivity detection limit linearity resolution and spectral bandwidth

characteristics capabilities advantageslimitations function of key components and operating principles for analytical instruments used in enterprise such as

gas chromatographs GC GCMS

liquid chromatographs LC LCMS

instruments using inductively coupled plasma ICP linked to atomic AES or optical OES emission spectrometers or mass spectrometers MS

fourier transform infra red spectrophotometers IRFTIR and attachments eg microscope and reflectance

ultravioletvisiblenear infra red spectrophotometers UVVISNIR and attachments eg microscope and reflectance

atomic absorption spectrometers AAS including vapour generation and electrothermal atomisation accessories

role and importance of regular calibration and preuse checks and maintenance

common instrument faults troubleshooting recommended remedial actions and repairs

common instrument operator errors

guidelines and safety procedures for working with non ionising radiation high voltages radio frequency RF fields hazardous samples chemicals and waste

health safety and workplace emergency response procedures relevant to job role

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors should ensure that candidates can

select analytical instruments that will satisfy enterprise needs and specifications

confirm that an analytical instrument is performing to specification

develop operating procedures usage logs and maintenance schedules for analytical instruments

keep accurate and complete records relevant to job role

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

Resources may include

laboratory with specialised analytical instruments

laboratory reagents and equipment

SOPs and test methods

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

oralwritten tests and calculations involving analytical quantities setup calibration operation and basic maintenance of analytical instruments

review of records of instrument selection use and maintenance generated by the candidate

review of instrument training materialsrecords generated by the candidate

observation of the candidate checking using and maintaining analytical instruments

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting

Laboratory operations

A technician has been requested by the laboratory manager to help develop the laboratorys capability to conduct testing for trace metals in water samples Heshe searches for relevant Australian standards technical publications and suppliers brochures on the Internet and identifies two techniques that appear to suit the laboratorys testing requirements and constraints The two techniques involve inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ICPMS and anodic stripping voltammetry ASV The technician carefully assesses of the performance of each type of instrument the services and operating environment required the purchase price and operating costs and the level of support that each supplier is prepared to provide The technician decides that the ASV instrument is probably the most appropriate choice Heshe then provides a boiler water sample to several suppliers for analysis by ASV and discusses the results obtained in each case with hisher manager The manager agrees with the technicians recommendation and notes that the ASV instrument will provide a much more favourable return on investment that the ICPMS The technician then contacts the supplier to confirm the purchase and arranges for the utilities services and accommodation arrangements to be completed prior to instrument delivery

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Analytical instruments

Specifications and features of instruments

Hazards

Addressing hazards

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements