Application
This unit of competency covers the ability to respond to both internal and external inquiries of a specialised technical nature. The advice and information requested will require the gathering of information, such as trend analysis, collection of data and samples, confirmation of validity of results, and revision of plans or product advice additional to that on data sheets.
This unit of competency is applicable to technical assistants and officers in all industry sectors. All personnel that conduct sampling and testing are required to communicate appropriately with internal and external customers in order to respond effectively to requests of a specialised technical nature.
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Assess the request for information and/or advice | 1.1 | Clarify and confirm the source, nature and priority of the request |
1.2 | Redirect the request to the relevant section, department or person, if appropriate | ||
1.3 | Record the receipt of the request in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
2 | Prepare response | 2.1 | Locate and obtain required information if available |
2.2 | If not available, decide whether to obtain or generate the required information given the priority and costs involved | ||
2.3 | Seek required approval/authority to release information before proceeding | ||
3 | Provide information and/or advice | 3.1 | Ensure that information is accurate, relevant and complies with workplace/statutory requirements |
3.2 | Keep the customer informed of progress when it is not possible to answer immediately | ||
3.3 | Notify other relevant personnel of request and response in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
3.4 | Use most appropriate communication method given priority, cost and customer facilities | ||
3.5 | Provide information in a format suitable to customer | ||
3.6 | Check that the response met the customer's needs and take appropriate actions if required | ||
3.7 | Deal with customers politely, efficiently and appropriately, and in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
4 | Record details of the request and response | 4.1 | Record all information details accurately in accordance with workplace procedures |
4.2 | Ensure that all written information is accurate and/or legible | ||
4.3 | File all records in the designated place and in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:
responding to both internal and external inquiries of a specialised technical nature
correctly assessing and prioritising requests for information
gathering information and data, such as trend analysis
confirming the validity of results
providing authorised information that is accurate, relevant and in the required format
using technical terminology appropriate to the customer and avoiding jargon
communicating in an efficient and polite manner, taking into account the needs of the customer
maintaining security and confidentiality of information
recording and filing records of the request and information provided as required by workplace procedures.
Evidence of Knowledge
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:
workplace procedures relating to:
customer service
communication protocols, including security and confidentiality, cultural and social contexts
work health and safety (WHS) and environmental regulations
workplace business goals and key performance indicators as a basis for dealing with customers
customer information about workplace products and services
technical details of methods, data and sample collection and key features of laboratory results.
Assessment Conditions
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:
MSL935003 Authorise the release of test results
Holistic assessment methods include:
examination of written records of advice and information provided by the candidate to a range of internal and external customers
feedback from customers that information/advice provided by the candidate was accurate, timely and in an appropriate format
feedback from supervisors that workplace procedures for responding to requests for information are followed
Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:
information directories and databases
workplace documents
information technology, including telephone and computer equipment, email and online information systems.
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 competency 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.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
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 and codes relevant to the laboratory’s operations and scope of testing, safety in laboratories, and quality and environmental management registration/licensing and/or National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements work health and safety (WHS) national standards and codes of practice workplace documents, such as equipment manuals, laboratory records, certified laboratory reports, and analysis report sheets (past and present) workplace procedures governing: receipt of requests release of information and results and confidentiality needs of clients and customers sample collection protocols and techniques for preserving sample integrity handling and collection of native fauna and flora (based on animal welfare legislation and codes of practice) filing systems, databases and laboratory records |
Items of equipment or systems | Items of equipment or systems include one or more of: telephone, email, intranet, internet and computer software applications (databases and spreadsheets) |
Information sources | Information sources include one or more of: personnel, such as scientists, engineers, technical experts, quality managers, laboratory and production personnel, and customers online technical information systems, databases and CD-ROMs organisational charts and information directories for staff access (personnel and telephone) |
Customers | Customers include one or more of: internal and external customers members of the public other workplaces, such as regulatory authorities |
Information provided | Information of a specialised technical nature includes one or more of: material classification and characteristics technical and/or manufacturing knowledge of procedures analysis and/or test results and their interpretation where authority permits risk assessment, monitoring and minimisation cost, quantity and time estimation contractual variations and claims site assessment and problems data analysis and statistical interpretation |
Manufacturing and food processing sector variables | Manufacturing and food processing sector variables include: assessing requests for changes to formulations and alterations to production processes determining variations and their significance for compliance with relevant standards |
Biomedical and environmental sector variables | Biomedical and environmental sector variables include: providing responses to inquiries regarding sample collection and protocols from patients, doctors, nurses and environmental health officers, collection staff and/or couriers |
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 |
Sectors
Competency Field
Communication/organisation