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

MSL976003 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Evaluate and select appropriate test methods and/or procedures

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL976003 - Evaluate and select appropriate test methods and/or procedures
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency covers the ability to evaluate and select test methods and/or procedures that are relevant to the current and evolving scope of the laboratory's operations. Selection of test methods and/or procedures may involve the appraisal of new and emerging technologies and may inform decision making about possible extension of the laboratory's scope. Alternatively, it may relate to existing testing requirements, 'one-off' tests, client's special requirements or new tests required to satisfy new legislative, accreditation, licensing or regulatory requirements.This unit of competency is applicable to senior technical officers, technical specialists and laboratory supervisors working in all industry sectors. They are required to demonstrate wide ranging, highly specialised technical skills. They are expected to execute sound judgement in the selection of appropriate methodology under the broad guidance of scientists/medical staff/engineers. All operations must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or workplace requirements.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.

Judgment 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:

MSL925002 Analyse measurements and estimate uncertainties

MSL916003 Supervise laboratory operations in work or functional area

Holistic assessment methods include:

review of selection briefs and/or selection proficiency tests completed by candidate

review of records completed by the candidate over a period of time to confirm consistency in method selection

feedback from peers and supervisors about the candidate’s ability to evaluate and select appropriate test methods and/or procedures in accordance with relevant standards and/or workplace requirements

oral or written questioning to establish basis of selection of test methods and/or procedures.

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

a standard laboratory equipped with appropriate equipment, analytical instruments and reagents, SOPs and test methods

Australian and international regulatory standards relevant to scope of laboratory operations.

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: Determine sample characteristics and testing requirements
  • Confirm drivers for evaluation and selection of test methods and/or procedures
  • Examine sample documentation and/or consult with sample supplier to determine nature of samples
  • Identify sample characteristics which may affect testing requirements
  • Determine testing requirements and their compatibility with existing standard operating procedures (SOPs)
       
Element: Evaluate possible test methods and/or procedures
  • Identify appropriate standards, reference materials, test methods and/or procedures which may be applicable
  • Assess suitability of available standards, reference materials, test methods and/or procedures against testing requirements
  • Identify environmental and work health and safety (WHS) risks
  • Identify the need for specific equipment, instrumentation and/or specialised facilities
  • Estimate materials, personnel and possible training requirements
       
Element: Recommend appropriate test methods and/or procedures
  • Select appropriate test methodology consistent with testing requirements and resource availability
  • Identify any changes to SOPs required prior to implementation of selected method and/or procedure
  • Recommend selected method and/or procedure to appropriate personnel and seek authorisation to proceed
       
Element: Confirm and document selected methods and/or procedures
  • Obtain standards and/or reference materials for the method and/or procedure
  • Conduct tests to verify the performance of the method and/or procedure, standards and reference materials
  • Analyse the measurements and estimate uncertainties
  • Determine if legal traceability is required and develop appropriate chain of custody procedures
  • Document all safety, sample preparation, testing, data handling and reporting procedures
  • Submit all documentation to appropriate personnel for review and approval
       


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

Determine sample characteristics and testing requirements

1.1

Confirm drivers for evaluation and selection of test methods and/or procedures

1.2

Examine sample documentation and/or consult with sample supplier to determine nature of samples

1.3

Identify sample characteristics which may affect testing requirements

1.4

Determine testing requirements and their compatibility with existing standard operating procedures (SOPs)

2

Evaluate possible test methods and/or procedures

2.1

Identify appropriate standards, reference materials, test methods and/or procedures which may be applicable

2.2

Assess suitability of available standards, reference materials, test methods and/or procedures against testing requirements

2.3

Identify environmental and work health and safety (WHS) risks

2.4

Identify the need for specific equipment, instrumentation and/or specialised facilities

2.5

Estimate materials, personnel and possible training requirements

3

Recommend appropriate test methods and/or procedures

3.1

Select appropriate test methodology consistent with testing requirements and resource availability

3.2

Identify any changes to SOPs required prior to implementation of selected method and/or procedure

3.3

Recommend selected method and/or procedure to appropriate personnel and seek authorisation to proceed

4

Confirm and document selected methods and/or procedures

4.1

Obtain standards and/or reference materials for the method and/or procedure

4.2

Conduct tests to verify the performance of the method and/or procedure, standards and reference materials

4.3

Analyse the measurements and estimate uncertainties

4.4

Determine if legal traceability is required and develop appropriate chain of custody procedures

4.5

Document all safety, sample preparation, testing, data handling and reporting procedures

4.6

Submit all documentation to appropriate personnel for review and approval

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

evaluating and selecting test methods and procedures on at least two (2) different occasions

appraising new and emerging technologies relevant to scope of laboratory operations and/or job role

identifying reference standards or standard operating procedures (SOPs) appropriate to testing requirements of the laboratory

identifying standards that support compliance with regulatory and licensing requirements

applying workplace procedures to select appropriate standards

estimating materials, personnel and possible training requirements

conducting tests to verify the performance of the method and procedure, standards and reference materials

using method performance measures, such as accuracy, precision, uncertainty, linearity, selectivity, range, limit of detection and matrix characteristics in method selection

clearly documenting method selection procedures

maintaining records of published methods

following workplace safety procedures and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP).

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

principles, concepts and workplace and regulatory requirements related to method selection

regulatory and licensing requirements related to selected test methods

relative advantages and disadvantages of test methods for a range of testing situations

cost advantages and disadvantages of workplace test methods

scientific and technical principles underpinning test method and their application to selection of testing methods for different materials

calculation steps for data analysis and estimation of uncertainties for selected test methods

significance of normal, physiological or reference ranges

workplace and legal requirements for traceability

workplace and regulatory requirements regarding recording and reporting of testing

relevant hazards, work health and safety (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

Determine sample characteristics and testing requirements

1.1

Confirm drivers for evaluation and selection of test methods and/or procedures

1.2

Examine sample documentation and/or consult with sample supplier to determine nature of samples

1.3

Identify sample characteristics which may affect testing requirements

1.4

Determine testing requirements and their compatibility with existing standard operating procedures (SOPs)

2

Evaluate possible test methods and/or procedures

2.1

Identify appropriate standards, reference materials, test methods and/or procedures which may be applicable

2.2

Assess suitability of available standards, reference materials, test methods and/or procedures against testing requirements

2.3

Identify environmental and work health and safety (WHS) risks

2.4

Identify the need for specific equipment, instrumentation and/or specialised facilities

2.5

Estimate materials, personnel and possible training requirements

3

Recommend appropriate test methods and/or procedures

3.1

Select appropriate test methodology consistent with testing requirements and resource availability

3.2

Identify any changes to SOPs required prior to implementation of selected method and/or procedure

3.3

Recommend selected method and/or procedure to appropriate personnel and seek authorisation to proceed

4

Confirm and document selected methods and/or procedures

4.1

Obtain standards and/or reference materials for the method and/or procedure

4.2

Conduct tests to verify the performance of the method and/or procedure, standards and reference materials

4.3

Analyse the measurements and estimate uncertainties

4.4

Determine if legal traceability is required and develop appropriate chain of custody procedures

4.5

Document all safety, sample preparation, testing, data handling and reporting procedures

4.6

Submit all documentation to appropriate personnel for review and approval

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, quality and environmental management systems, and measurement management systems

national WHS standards and codes of practice, national measurement regulations and guidelines, and intellectual property (IP) and copyright legislation

Australian and international standards and guidelines covering specialised analysis, accuracy of measurement methods and results, expression of uncertainty and quantifying uncertainty

specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation programs requirements, Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), principles of good laboratory practice (GLP), Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Code, Australian Dangerous Goods Code, gene technology regulations, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines, and Therapeutic Goods Regulations

workplace documents, such as 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; stock records and inventory

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

test procedures (validated and authorised)

Tests and procedures

Tests and procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

routine

infrequent and 'one-off'

quantitative or qualitative

identification or quantification of biological, chemical or physical activity

gross characteristics of a sample, including in vitro and in vivo

detection of chemical, physical or biological characteristics, features, markers or responses

Drivers for the evaluation and selection of test methods and/or procedures

Drivers for the evaluation and selection of test methods and procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

new or amended legislation, regulation and licensing, accreditation requirements

public, political and commercial pressures

'one-off' testing of potentially hazardous or contaminated materials following an environmental emergency or incident

introduction of new reference standards, new or modified equipment and instruments

introduction of commercial products that are potentially hazardous

control of new, or changed, starting materials, in-process materials and products

troubleshooting of production, environmental and public health issues

environmental monitoring of new sites

investigation of customer's complaints

specialised testing of forensic, medical or veterinary samples

need to meet customer specific or changed requirements

development of new products

Factors which may influence method evaluation and selection

Factors which influence method evaluation and selection include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

quantity and nature of sample available for testing

levels of detection required

type of matrix, possible contaminants and resulting interference

safety

availability of suitable equipment, instruments and availability of trained staff

cost

selectivity of method, range, accuracy, precision and acceptable uncertainty

whether it is appropriate/ethical to perform the test

balancing customer, workplace and/or regulatory/licensing requirements

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
Confirm drivers for evaluation and selection of test methods and/or procedures 
Examine sample documentation and/or consult with sample supplier to determine nature of samples 
Identify sample characteristics which may affect testing requirements 
Determine testing requirements and their compatibility with existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) 
Identify appropriate standards, reference materials, test methods and/or procedures which may be applicable 
Assess suitability of available standards, reference materials, test methods and/or procedures against testing requirements 
Identify environmental and work health and safety (WHS) risks 
Identify the need for specific equipment, instrumentation and/or specialised facilities 
Estimate materials, personnel and possible training requirements 
Select appropriate test methodology consistent with testing requirements and resource availability 
Identify any changes to SOPs required prior to implementation of selected method and/or procedure 
Recommend selected method and/or procedure to appropriate personnel and seek authorisation to proceed 
Obtain standards and/or reference materials for the method and/or procedure 
Conduct tests to verify the performance of the method and/or procedure, standards and reference materials 
Analyse the measurements and estimate uncertainties 
Determine if legal traceability is required and develop appropriate chain of custody procedures 
Document all safety, sample preparation, testing, data handling and reporting procedures 
Submit all documentation to appropriate personnel for review and approval 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL976003 - Evaluate and select appropriate test methods and/or procedures
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

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Assessor name:

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Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSL976003 - Evaluate and select appropriate test methods and/or procedures

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:

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