MSL974008A
Capture and manage scientific images

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.

Application

This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory technicians in all industry sectors. 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 CUV03 Visual Arts, Crafts and Design Training Package:

CUVPHI04B Apply photoimaging lighting techniques

CUVPHI05B Use a 35mm SLR camera or digital equivalent

CUVPHI06B Plan and carry out image capture in response to a brief

CUVPHI07B Process photoimages to work print/file stage

CUVPHI511A Produce technical photoimages.

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'.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Establish requirements for image capture

1.1. Define requirements and purpose of the work and create a brief

1.2. Choose an imaging technique that maintains the integrity and veracity of the subject and fulfils the work requirements

1.3. Plan the work using technical knowledge to ensure an effective and efficient result

2. Plan and set up the shoot

2.1. Select and assemble the required equipment

2.2. Follow ethical and legal work practices at all times

2.3. Assess risks or hazards and implement safety procedures

2.4. Prepare the subject to achieve the brief

3. Capture and reproduce the required image

3.1. Expose media or film and accurately document the work in progress

3.2. Review the image against the work requirements and repeat if necessary

3.3. Reproduce the image to specification

4. Keep records and deliver images

4.1. Accurately and retrievably record the request, technical specifications and images so that they are retrievable

4.2. Store records safely and securely to archival standards

4.3. Follow copyright and crediting policies and procedures

4.4. Make the images available to the client, discuss the results and ensure that requirements have been met

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include:

creating and interpreting a brief

applying an imaging technique that best meets the specifications and purpose of the job

using a back-up system of image capture when shooting images

producing consistent high quality, cost effective outcomes for clients

keeping accurate records that allow future replication of images

working safely and in an ethical manner

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

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

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

create and interpret a brief

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

provide a back-up system of image capture when shooting images

produce consistent high quality, cost effective outcomes for clients

keep accurate records that allow future replication of images

work safely and in an ethical manner consistent with legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL975015A Prepare animal and plant material for display.

Resources may include:

appropriate facilities, equipment and materials for image capture

enterprise procedures, equipment manuals, industry catalogues and journals.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of portfolio of work completed by the 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.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment.

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case study below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting.

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.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Codes of practice

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

Scientific images may include the following types of imaging techniques:

photographic

digital

X-ray

video

prints

transparencies

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

auto-radiations

micrographs

other non-visible light sources, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, fluorescence and phosphorescence

electron micrographs

Scientific subjects

Scientific subjects may include:

building sites, environmental survey and monitoring sites

accident or incident sites, and injuries

forensic evidence

biological specimens

histological sections

live animals

chromatography gels

Job requirements and brief

Job requirements and brief may include:

description and specification of work, including constraints and 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 and notes

Purposes of the image

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

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 and appropriate magnification

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

back-up method and equipment for image capture

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

position of subject

Equipment

Equipment may include:

lighting

backdrops

camera systems and accessories

Hazards

Hazards may include:

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

solar radiation, dust and noise

chemicals and radioisotopes

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

manual handling of heavy objects

slips, trips and falls, falling objects and moving machinery (e.g. on building sites)

pedestrian and vehicular traffic

Safety procedures

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, gowns, 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, MSDS and manufacturer's instructions

following established manual handling procedures

Ethical and legal work practices

Ethical and legal work practices may 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

Production of images may include:

sending images for processing

processing the images

use of commercial software

Storage of records

Storage of records may include:

the brief, technical specifications and images

file management (back-ups, data retrieval and storage)

paper-based, electronic or digital

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health


Sectors

Unit sector

Testing


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.