The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence.
Critical aspects of competency
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. In particular, assessors should look to see that the candidate:
receives and logs samples in accordance with enterprise procedures
checks samples for history and acceptable transport conditions
applies standard precautions when dealing with hazardous materials
applies knowledge of relationship(s) between specific sample preparation and associated tests
promptly clarifies specific client requirements with appropriate personnel, as necessary
performs sample preparation and sub-sampling in accordance with enterprise procedures
labels and stores samples following enterprise procedures and maintains sample integrity, and traceability
follows required sample disposal procedures
maintains all equipment and workspace in accordance with enterprise procedures.
Underpinning knowledge
Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:
enterprise procedures for the receipt, documentation, distribution and storage of samples
potentially hazardous and unstable nature of samples
requirement of specified sample types for specific tests
importance of accurate and complete labelling of samples
importance of maintaining effective customer relations
sample storage and transport requirements.
relevant health, safety and environment requirements.
Specific industry
Additional knowledge requirements may apply for different industry sectors. For example, in biomedical laboratories:
potentially infective nature of all biological materials
nature of unstable solutions, such as anticoagulated whole blood
non-conformance of clotted samples for procedures, such as routine haematological tests.
Assessment context and methods
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of sample receipt and preparation records prepared by the candidate
feedback from supervisors and peers
direct observation of sample receipt and preparation
questioning to assess knowledge of procedures where direct observation is difficult (such as sample receipt and preparation in the field).
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. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.
Interdependent assessment of unit
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
PMLCOM300B Communicate with other people
PMLOHS302B Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety.
Resource implications
Resources may include:
a selection of sample containers, tubes, request forms, sample documentation
simulated samples when an authentic sample is unavailable or inappropriate.
This competency in practice
Environmental
A laboratory assistant at a hazardous liquid waste recycling plant is required to log in all samples, match all samples with the in-house profile of the source of the waste, label them and activate the tracking procedure. He/she then prepares a sample for a series of standard tests which are determined by the profile of the waste material (acid or alkali, organic or heavy metal, etc). Given the hazardous nature of the waste, the laboratory assistant must use appropriate safety equipment at all times and ensure the safe disposal of all hazardous material. The assistant must work efficiently as these procedures are activated upon arrival of a road tanker and when the hazardous waste has been verified and judged acceptable for treatment at the plant by the laboratory supervisor. The laboratory assistant also liaises with the truck driver, or the referring client, should the samples (and/or subsequent tests) not comply with enterprise conditions for receiving the hazardous waste.
Construction materials and mineral assay
A laboratory assistant has received a consignment of disturbed soil samples from a client for classification testing. A test request and field logs have been sent by mail. Each sample is bagged and labelled, with the label showing the name of the client, project, date and sampling location, and a field description of the material. The laboratory policy is that samples weighing more than 20 kg must be bagged so that the individual bags do not exceed this limit and labelled as bag 1 of ..., bag 2 of ..., etc. The assistant checks to ensure all component bags of such samples are present. He/she is careful to handle the samples using safe manual handling techniques. The assistant arranges the samples in order of location and reconciles them with the test request and logs. Two samples have been shown on the request but have not been received. The assistant e-mails the technician who despatched them and subsequently is advised that they were overlooked during despatch and will be forwarded as soon as possible.
The assistant compares the samples with the field descriptions and finds that they match. Samples that are not designated for testing immediately are set aside in the laboratory store. The remainder are placed in trays for drying in the 50°C oven. The tray numbers are carefully written on the respective worksheets. When the samples have dried and cooled they are split out sufficiently for sieve analysis and plasticity testing, making allowance for the maximum particle size of each sample. The assistant is careful to avoid raising dust during the process.
Biomedical
A laboratory assistant has just started a shift in specimen reception and puts on a coat and gloves before touching any samples. There is a pile of samples and forms in the sample box. In some cases, the samples and forms are enclosed in a plastic bag. In other cases, they are seemingly unconnected. The assistant notices that one of the samples has a bloodstained label. She/he quickly examines the samples, isolates the leaking sample in a lockable plastic bag and places the related request form in the bag's separate compartment. The assistant then disposes of her/his dirty gloves. The assistant now logs all samples into the computer, placing to one side a sample and request form that is inadequately labelled. She/he makes a note to call the referring doctor as soon as possible. The assistant places the haematology samples in the colour-coded tray and calls the laboratory for their pickup. She/he then calls the doctor of the patient whose sample is inadequately labelled. She/he records the missing date of birth on the request form, and then barcode/labels tubes for the samples' testing. Within 30 minutes, she/he has cleared the first rush of samples. She/he takes the time to carefully empty the bin of wastes.
Key Competencies
The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation. The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit. These are stand-alone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Level (1) represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively
Level (2) represents the competence to manage tasks
Level (3) represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Collecting, analysing and organising information | Communicating ideas and information | Planning and organising activities | Working with others and in teams | Using mathematical ideas and techniques | Solving problems | Using technology |
Level 1 | Level 1 | Level 1 | Level 1 | Level 1 | Level 1 | Level 1 |