Required skills

Required skills include

interpreting samplingtesting procedures manuals and guidelines

using protective clothing and biological safety cabinets

setting up using and maintaining samplingtesting equipment

performing tasks for the culture isolation identification and use of microorganisms

preventing contamination of oneself other people the work area equipment or the samples and materials under test

preventing contamination of media or reagents during manipulationstransfer of cultures

identifying artefacts or image aberrations attributable to misalignment or obstruction of light paths or condensers used in bright field dark ground phase and fluorescent microscopy or with other steps in microscopic examinations

identifying Gram reactions

describing bacterial colony forms on common media used in environmental investigations

using numeracy skills for enumerating microorganisms

preparing documentation that is accurate concise and in accordance with enterprise andor legislative requirements

seeking advice when issuesproblems are beyond scope of competenceresponsibility

reporting incidents or accidents

disinfecting spillage and safely disposing of all contaminated materials

decontaminating the work area upon completion of work

working safely

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

relevant microbiological terminology in the areas of bacteriology parasitology and mycology

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

microbial genetics

microbial diversity

microorganisms of importance in assessment of the natural environment

diseases associated with air water and soilborne microorganisms

transmission and infection mechanisms and vectors

population growth curves for microorganisms

antimicrobial agents and their suitabilityefficacy in a variety of situations

relevant disinfection and sterilisation procedures

rationale for sample dilution when preparing materials for enumerating organisms and other pure culture work eg most probable number MPN technique

need for accurate identification of sample source eg field location

sampling procedures for the microbiological testing of drinking water which should conform to the guidelines published by the National Health and Medical Research Council NHMRC the Australian Water Resources Council

testing procedures for the microbiological content of air water and soil which should be guided by advice of relevant national and stateterritory environment protection agencies

identification of indicator microorganisms to assist in determining the cause time or nature of pollution

use of microorganisms in wastewater treatment

use of microorganisms in toxic spill recovery

use of microorganisms in site remediation

collection and disposal of waste waste minimisation principles

relevant health safety and environment requirements

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include

safely performing tasks for the culture isolation identification enumeration and use of microorganisms

not contaminating self other people the work area equipment or the samples or materials under test or media or reagents during manipulations involving transfer of cultures

identifying artefacts or image aberrations attributable to misalignment or obstruction of light paths or condensers used in bright field dark ground phase and fluorescent microscopy or with other steps in microscopic examinations

identifying Gram reactions accurately

accurately describing bacterial colony forms on common media used in bacteriological investigations

comparing microbiological data with relevant assessment criteria and drawing logical conclusions

preparing data and documentation that is accurate concise and in accordance with enterprise requirements

disinfecting any spillage and safely disposing of all contaminated materials

decontaminating the work area upon completion of work

working safely and reporting all incidents or accidents

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidates workplace

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSSA Assist with assessing site environmental indicators

MSS025001A Assist with assessing site environmental indicators

MSSA Assess the environmental risk or impact of a project activity or process

MSS025002A Assess the environmental risk or impact of a project activity or process.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team

Resources may include

a standard microbiology laboratory with relevant equipment samples and reagents

enterprise procedures test methods and equipment manuals

Under duty of care requirements offthejob training providers will only use samples and organisms of a risk category compatible with their laboratory as defined in ASNZS Safety in laboratories Microbiological aspects and containment facilities

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of resultsdatarecords generated by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors about the candidates ability to consistently apply enterprise procedures and work safely

oral andor written questions associated with testing of environmentally significant microorganisms and record keeping

integrated assessment with a case study focus such as the isolation and identification of bacterial species in a specimen containing two or more species by relating sample cultural morphological and biochemical data and such from other relevant tests and procedures

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

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

Guidance information for assessment

Codes of practice

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Environmental microbiological tests

Equipment, materials and systems

Legislative compliance

Use of microorganisms in bioremediation, agriculture and industrial processes

OHS and environmental management requirements