Application
This unit of competency covers the development of a working knowledge of quality principles and their application in laboratory/field work.
This unit of competency is applicable to samplers/testers, production operators and laboratory/field assistants working in all industry sectors. These personnel have defined roles and responsibilities within the workplace's quality system which are set out in quality manuals and workplace procedures.
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 | Apply quality control procedures | 1.1 | Record data for quality control purposes |
1.2 | Recognise and report non-conformances in keeping with job role and quality procedures | ||
2 | Contribute to quality improvements | 2.1 | Review own work practices for opportunities to continuously improve performance |
2.2 | Identify and report opportunities for improvements in procedures, processes and equipment in work area | ||
3 | Maintain commitment to workplace quality standards in own work | 3.1 | Maintain an objective of 'right first time' |
3.2 | Conduct work in accordance with sustainability work practices | ||
3.3 | Minimise waste and rework in accordance with workplace guidelines | ||
3.4 | Demonstrate 'job ownership' for whole tasks through a commitment to finish and follow-up | ||
3.5 | Ensure that personal actions conform with the code of ethics relevant to the workplace | ||
4 | Assist in maintaining customer relationships | 4.1 | Demonstrate an understanding of the business goals, products and services of the workplace when dealing with customers in relation to own function |
4.2 | Communicate appropriately with customers in keeping with knowledge and authority limitations and quality requirements | ||
5 | Update knowledge and skills as required | 5.1 | Recognise own strengths and limitations and take advantage of opportunities for skill development |
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:
applying workplace quality control principles and procedures to laboratory/field work
contributing to improvements in productivity and quality through teamwork and commitment to personal work standards
maintaining personal commitment and compliance to quality objectives
providing quality products and services to customers consistent with the job role
resolving simple customer inquiries
minimising waste and rework.
Evidence of Knowledge
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:
quality requirements of the candidate's job role and functions
workplace procedures associated with the candidate's routine technical duties
layout of the workplace, divisions and laboratory
lines of communication
organisational structure of the workplace
products and services provided by the workplace
role of laboratory services to the workplace and customers
scheduling of tests and procedures to meet customer requirements
role of internal and external audits
recording, reporting and document control requirements
continuous improvement and waste minimisation principles
work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.
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:
MSL913001 Communicate with other people
technical units of competency dealing with sampling and testing.
Holistic assessment methods include:
review of quality control data collected by the candidate
review of quality improvements suggested by the candidate
feedback from supervisors and peers
flow charts or diagrams prepared by the candidate to describe workflows and workplace layout (alternatively, the candidate could explain existing charts or diagrams)
oral or written questions about quality concepts and workplace procedures.
Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:
workplace quality system as set out in quality manuals and workplace procedures
standard operating procedures (SOPs).
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 covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and quality management National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation program requirements national measurement regulations and guidelines specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as Australia New Zealand Food Standards (ANZFS) Code, Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (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 customer specific requirements/standards |
Quality control procedures | Quality control procedures include one or more of: standards imposed by regulatory and licensing bodies workplace quality procedures working to a customer brief and associated quality procedures checklists to monitor job progress against agreed time, costs and quality standards the use of hold points to evaluate conformance the use of inspection and test plans to check compliance |
Sustainable work practices | Sustainable work practices include, but not limited to, one or more of: examining work practices that use excessive electricity switching off equipment when not in use regularly cleaning filters insulating rooms and buildings to reduce energy use recycling and reusing materials wherever practicable minimising process waste |
Reporting | Reporting involves one or more of: verbal responses data entry into laboratory information management system (LIMS) or workplace databases brief written reports using workplace proformas |
Quality improvement opportunities | Quality improvement opportunities that relate to the work of laboratory assistants include one or more of: improved methods for sampling, testing and recording data improved hygiene and sanitation procedures minimisation of waste and rework improved laboratory layout and work flow |
Work health and safety (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
Quality