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

PMLTEST409A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Capture and manage scientific images

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PMLTEST409A - Capture and manage scientific images
Description This unit of competency covers the ability to capture accurate and reproducible images of scientific (environmental, medical and technical) subjects using a scientific approach and enterprise procedures/protocols to ensure the integrity of the image. It also includes the ability to generate and maintain pre and post image capture records to ensure that images can be reproduced if required in the future. The unit has no prerequisites.This unit of competency is applicable to personnel in all industry sectors who capture images as part of their main job role. Personnel who capture images, as a substantial part of their job role, should consider accessing the following units of competency from the CUV40403 Certificate IV in Photoimaging from the Visual Arts, Crafts and Design Training Package CUV03:CUVPHI04A Apply photoimaging lighting techniquesCUVPHI05A Use a 35mm SLR camera or digital equipmentCUVPHI06A Plan and carry out image capture in response to briefCUVPHI207A Process photoimages to work print/file stage.Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These are found at the end of this unit of competency under the section This competency in practice.
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
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: Establish requirements for image capture
  • Define requirements and purpose of the work and create a brief
  • Choose an imaging technique that maintains the integrity and veracity of the subject and fulfils the work requirements
  • Plan the work using technical knowledge to ensure an effective and efficient result
       
Element: Plan and set up the shoot
  • Select and assemble the required equipment
  • Follow ethical and legal work practices at all times
  • Assess risks or hazards and implement safety procedures
  • Prepare the subject to achieve the brief
       
Element: Capture and reproduce the required image
  • Expose media or film and accurately document the work in progress
  • Review the image against the work requirements and repeat if necessary
  • Reproduce the image to specification
       
Element: Keep records and deliver images
  • Accurately and retrievably record the request, technical specifications and images so that they are retrievable
  • Store records safely and securely to archival standards
  • Follow copyright and crediting policies and procedures
  • Make the images available to the client, discuss the results and ensure that requirements have been met.
       


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.

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:

can create and interpret a brief

can apply an imaging technique that best meets the specifications and purpose of the job, consistent with enterprise procedures

provides a back up system of image capture when shooting images

produces consistent high quality, cost effective outcomes for clients

keeps accurate records that allow future replication of images

works safely and in an ethical manner consistent with legislation, regulations and Codes of Practice.

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:

repercussions of manipulation of images and differences between adjustment and manipulation

scientific approach and protocols to ensure integrity of images

veracity of different types of storage media

relevant copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues and legislation

relevant health, safety and environment requirements

enterprise policies and procedures for capturing and managing scientific images.

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 portfolio of work completed by candidate

feedback from clients and supervisor

oral or written questions to assess underpinning knowledge

case studies to assess the candidate's approach to different subjects and use of a variety of imaging techniques.

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:

PMLTEST519A Prepare animal and plant material for display.

Resource implications

Resources may include:

appropriate facilities, equipment and materials for photoimaging

enterprise procedures, equipment manuals, industry catalogues and journals.

This competency in practice

Biomedical, biotechnology, environmental

It's Friday afternoon and a technical officer in a university biology faculty is asked, at short notice, to assist a postgraduate student to obtain images to support a presentation of her work at an international conference. She's flying out of the country to the conference on Sunday. The officer discusses the requirements with the student and determines that the images are needed for a poster presentation to show the differences between sizes of fungal spores. It is agreed that colour prints of four different sized spores are to be produced using a camera coupled to a stereomicroscope. Given the time constraints, a decision is made to use a digital image that can be reproduced on site. The images are produced on Friday evening and the student produces her poster on Saturday. The details of the subject, conditions and the images themselves are carefully stored for later use in the student's thesis.

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 2

Level 2

Level 2

Level 2

Level 2

Level 2

Level 2

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.

The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.

Scientific images may include photographic, digital, X-ray and video images, and prints or transparencies of subjects, such as:

building sites, environmental survey and monitoring sites

accident or incident sites, injuries

forensic evidence

biological specimens

histological sections

live animals

chromatography gels.

Other imaging techniques may include:

direct transformation from images to data, such as reading of DNA sequencing gels

autoradiations

micrographs

other non visible light sources, such as ultraviolet light, fluorescence and phosphorescence

electron micrographs.

Job requirements and brief may include:

description and specification of work, including constraints, due date

purpose of the image

specifications, such as size, purpose, audience, medium and style

interviewing and collecting information from the client

keeping records, request forms, notes.

Purposes of the image may include:

publication as a thesis, presentation or on the web

temporal serial recording of changes over time

display as a poster, diorama, print or projection

preview, snapshot or proof of an image for production at a later stage

records of data for inclusion in databases

use in forensic investigation or court proceedings.

Planning of the job may include:

choice of type of image, media, site and conditions

preparation of the subject, such as: make-up, choice of whole or part, staining, dissection, mounting, animal handling, setting up a light path for a microscope, appropriate magnification

technical requirements, such as: resolution, film type, tripods, shutter speed, lens type, colour differential

back up method and equipment for image capture

specification of final product, size, delivery, number, cost

position of subject.

Equipment may include:

lighting

backdrops

camera systems and accessories.

Hazards may include:

microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, human or animal tissue and fluids

solar radiation, dust, noise

chemicals and radioisotopes

X rays and other sources of electromagnetic radiation (laser, UV)

manual handling of heavy objects

slips, trips and falls, falling objects, moving machinery (for example, on building sites)

pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Safety procedures may include:

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, gown, body suits, respirators and safety boots

following required containment procedures through the use of appropriate equipment, such as biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets and Class PCII, PCIII, and PCIV physical containment facilities

use of material safety data sheets (MSDS)

handling and storage of all hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, materials safety data sheets and manufacturer's instructions

following established manual handling procedures.

Ethical and legal work practices include consideration of:

industry Codes of Practice, contracts, permits, intellectual property, crediting, plagiarism and copyright

moral rights, model release, etiquette, decorum and sensitivity towards the subject, use of a chaperone and confidentiality.

Production of images may include sending images for processing, processing the images or use of commercial software.

Storage of records may include the brief, technical specifications and images. It may include file management (back ups, data retrieval, storage) and can be paper based, electronic or digital.

Health, safety and environment

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

All operations assume the potential hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.
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
Define requirements and purpose of the work and create a brief 
Choose an imaging technique that maintains the integrity and veracity of the subject and fulfils the work requirements 
Plan the work using technical knowledge to ensure an effective and efficient result 
Select and assemble the required equipment 
Follow ethical and legal work practices at all times 
Assess risks or hazards and implement safety procedures 
Prepare the subject to achieve the brief 
Expose media or film and accurately document the work in progress 
Review the image against the work requirements and repeat if necessary 
Reproduce the image to specification 
Accurately and retrievably record the request, technical specifications and images so that they are retrievable 
Store records safely and securely to archival standards 
Follow copyright and crediting policies and procedures 
Make the images available to the client, discuss the results and ensure that requirements have been met. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PMLTEST409A - Capture and manage scientific images
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

PMLTEST409A - Capture and manage scientific images

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: