Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MSL973004 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Perform aseptic techniques

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL973004 - Perform aseptic techniques
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency covers the ability to perform aseptic techniques to maintain the integrity of both the sample source and the sample. It applies to sampling techniques in tissue culture and to generic microbiological procedures.This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory assistants and technicians working in the field or laboratory in the biomedical, biological, food processing and environmental industry sectors.While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL943002 Participate in laboratory or field workplace safety

MSL973003 Prepare culture media

Holistic assessment methods include:

observation of the candidate aseptically transferring a range of samples

review of quality assurance results and examination of samples transferred by the candidate

written and/or oral questioning about aseptic transfer techniques, typical quality problems, common hazards and safe work practices.

Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:

a standard laboratory

appropriate equipment, such as:

transfer equipment, such as inoculating loops, pipettes (quantitative and qualitative), flasks, tubes and spatulas

Bunsen burners and bench incinerators

anaerobic jars

incubators, water baths, refrigerators, freezers and dry ice and liquid nitrogen cylinders, if required

laminar flow units and biohazard cabinets

autoclave or pressure cooker

swabs

a continuous culture system

appropriate materials, such as:

solid and/or liquid media

supplied media, such as media manufactured in the workplace or raw material supplies for media

disinfecting and sterilising agents and materials, such as methylated spirits, ethanol and ether

disposable equipment and clothing

tissue culture media

growth media in broths, plates, deeps or slopes

receptacles for safe disposal of wastes and for processing of reusable materials

bar coding material and labels

workplace schedules, procedures and standard methods, MSDS and documented safe work practices.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience.

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR

having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Testing
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for aseptic sampling or transfer
  • Ensure that any sampling procedure conforms with the requirements of the sampling plan
  • Use specified personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Prepare the work area for safe and effective sample transfer
  • Select equipment and materials specified by the procedure
  • Organise equipment to minimise contamination during manipulations
  • Label containers for clear identification
  • Record details in relevant log or database
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for aseptic sampling or transfer

1.1

Ensure that any sampling procedure conforms with the requirements of the sampling plan

1.2

Use specified personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.3

Prepare the work area for safe and effective sample transfer

1.4

Select equipment and materials specified by the procedure

1.5

Organise equipment to minimise contamination during manipulations

1.6

Label containers for clear identification

1.7

Record details in relevant log or database

2

Transfer materials aseptically

2.1

Protect the integrity of the sample source by sterilising the sampling site and the mouth of transport or culture vessel

2.2

Sterilise inoculating loops and/or pipette where used to prevent contamination

2.3

Perform transfer while minimising opportunities for contamination and cross-infection

2.4

After transfer, and before sealing the transport or culture vessel, flame the vessel mouth to maintain sterility

2.5

Re-sterilise inoculating loops, minimising the generation of aerosols

2.6

Perform quality control checks as required

2.7

Label transport or culture vessels for clear identification

3

Maintain work area and equipment to prevent cross-infection and contamination

3.1

Place disposable and reusable items into relevant receptacles

3.2

Clean and disinfect work area and equipment after use

3.3

Transport disposable and reusable contaminated materials to relevant areas for disinfection, sterilisation and cleaning or disposal

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

safely performing aseptic techniques that maintain the integrity of both the sample source and the sample on at least three (3) occasions using different samples

preventing cross-contamination of sample source and sample

manipulating laboratory equipment and glassware to prevent contamination of culture medium during transfer

cleaning and disinfecting work surfaces and equipment to prevent cross-contamination of work area, personnel and environment

performing quality control checks, including streaking out of cultures to a single colony and lawn cultures

labelling and storing culture media according to workplace procedures

recognising and reporting non-compliance, anomalies or out-of-specification results

accurately recording data, labelling samples and completing workplace documentation

consistently using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and workplace procedures for aseptic transfer

following workplace procedures for the sorting, collecting, treating, recycling and/or disposing of waste.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

growth requirements of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoans, viruses and multi-cellular parasites) and tissue in terms of their laboratory culture

relationship between sterile practices, hygiene procedures and the ability to obtain growth free of contamination

importance of pure culture techniques and aseptic transfer to the successful microbiological investigation and correct interpretation of laboratory results

cleaning and sanitising requirements of equipment and work area, and effects of physical and chemical agents on microbial growth and death

disinfection and sterilisation procedures used in the collection, processing and safe disposal of samples and materials

principles of infection control related to work health and safety (WHS), and sampling and transfer of materials in microbiological investigations

relevant hazards, such as accessing the sample from difficult or dangerous areas; injuries from sharps, burners, molten agar, dry ice and liquid nitrogen vapour; ultraviolet (UV) light sources; and exposure to hazardous substances and/or infectious agents

relevant WHS and environment requirements.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for aseptic sampling or transfer

1.1

Ensure that any sampling procedure conforms with the requirements of the sampling plan

1.2

Use specified personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.3

Prepare the work area for safe and effective sample transfer

1.4

Select equipment and materials specified by the procedure

1.5

Organise equipment to minimise contamination during manipulations

1.6

Label containers for clear identification

1.7

Record details in relevant log or database

2

Transfer materials aseptically

2.1

Protect the integrity of the sample source by sterilising the sampling site and the mouth of transport or culture vessel

2.2

Sterilise inoculating loops and/or pipette where used to prevent contamination

2.3

Perform transfer while minimising opportunities for contamination and cross-infection

2.4

After transfer, and before sealing the transport or culture vessel, flame the vessel mouth to maintain sterility

2.5

Re-sterilise inoculating loops, minimising the generation of aerosols

2.6

Perform quality control checks as required

2.7

Label transport or culture vessels for clear identification

3

Maintain work area and equipment to prevent cross-infection and contamination

3.1

Place disposable and reusable items into relevant receptacles

3.2

Clean and disinfect work area and equipment after use

3.3

Transport disposable and reusable contaminated materials to relevant areas for disinfection, sterilisation and cleaning or disposal

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, quality management and environmental management

Australian standards covering the requirements for occupational personal protection; cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment; and maintenance of associated environments in health care facilities

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, principles of good laboratory practice (GLP), Australia New Zealand Food Standards (ANZFS) Code, Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), Australian Dangerous Goods Code and labelling of workplace substances

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

workplace procedures and standard methods for preparing culture media, and operation and maintenance manuals for automated media preparation equipment

PPE

PPE includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, gowns, body suits and respirators

biohazard containers and laminar flow cabinets

Sample pot and transfer media and the subculturing and/or passaging of culture

Sample pot and transfer media and the subculturing and/or passaging of culture to include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

sterile broth

media for isolation of colony

tissue culture media

media for continuous culture systems

Samples

Samples include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

body fluids and liquids

water and soil

sterile pharmaceuticals

yeasts and moulds

milk and yoghurt

swabs and smears

propagation tissue

plant material

fermented foods and beverages

Sterilisation techniques

Sterilisation techniques include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

flaming

high temperature, high pressure steam, boiling and autoclaving

steam and membrane filtration

microwave, radiation, gas and/or chemical treatments

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

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Ensure that any sampling procedure conforms with the requirements of the sampling plan 
Use specified personal protective equipment (PPE) 
Prepare the work area for safe and effective sample transfer 
Select equipment and materials specified by the procedure 
Organise equipment to minimise contamination during manipulations 
Label containers for clear identification 
Record details in relevant log or database 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL973004 - Perform aseptic techniques
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSL973004 - Perform aseptic techniques

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: