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Evidence Guide: MSL975019A - Apply complex instrumental techniques

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

MSL975019A - Apply complex instrumental techniques

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Establish client needs and schedule analysis

  1. Liaise with client or sample provider to determine client needs and sample history
  2. Record sample description, compare with specification and record and report discrepancies
  3. Identify non-routine samples and the possible need to vary enterprise procedures
  4. Seek advice from supervisor about any proposed variations and document all approved changes.
  5. Schedule analysis using enterprise procedures
Liaise with client or sample provider to determine client needs and sample history

Completed
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Teacher:
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Record sample description, compare with specification and record and report discrepancies

Completed
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Identify non-routine samples and the possible need to vary enterprise procedures

Completed
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Seek advice from supervisor about any proposed variations and document all approved changes.

Completed
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Schedule analysis using enterprise procedures

Completed
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Prepare samples and standards

  1. Obtain a representative analytical portion of the laboratory sample
  2. Prepare sample in accordance with testing requirements
  3. Prepare validation checks and/or calibration standards for analytical portions
  4. Use specialised procedures for ultra-trace sample and standard preparation as required
Obtain a representative analytical portion of the laboratory sample

Completed
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Prepare sample in accordance with testing requirements

Completed
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Prepare validation checks and/or calibration standards for analytical portions

Completed
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Use specialised procedures for ultra-trace sample and standard preparation as required

Completed
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Setup, optimise instrument and sub-systems

  1. Perform pre-use and safety checks using enterprise procedures
  2. Assemble appropriate instrument sub-systems to construct the required analytical path
  3. Start up and condition the instrument using enterprise procedures
  4. Check and optimise each instrument sub-system
  5. Optimise instrumental parameters to suit sample and test requirements
  6. Check calibration status of instrument and perform calibration using specified standards and procedures, if applicable
Perform pre-use and safety checks using enterprise procedures

Completed
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Assemble appropriate instrument sub-systems to construct the required analytical path

Completed
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Start up and condition the instrument using enterprise procedures

Completed
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Check and optimise each instrument sub-system

Completed
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Optimise instrumental parameters to suit sample and test requirements

Completed
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Check calibration status of instrument and perform calibration using specified standards and procedures, if applicable

Completed
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Perform analysis

  1. Measure analyte response for standards, validation checks and samples
  2. Conduct sufficient measurements to obtain reliable data
  3. Return instruments to standby or shutdown condition as required
Measure analyte response for standards, validation checks and samples

Completed
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Conduct sufficient measurements to obtain reliable data

Completed
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Return instruments to standby or shutdown condition as required

Completed
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Process and analyse data

  1. Confirm data is the result of valid measurements
  2. Perform required calculations and ensure results are consistent with standards or estimations and expectations
  3. Record results with the appropriate accuracy, precision, uncertainty and units
  4. Analyse trends in data and/or results and report out of specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel
  5. Troubleshoot analytical procedure or equipment problems which have led to atypical data or results
Confirm data is the result of valid measurements

Completed
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Perform required calculations and ensure results are consistent with standards or estimations and expectations

Completed
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Record results with the appropriate accuracy, precision, uncertainty and units

Completed
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Analyse trends in data and/or results and report out of specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel

Completed
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Troubleshoot analytical procedure or equipment problems which have led to atypical data or results

Completed
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Maintain a safe work environment

  1. Identify risks, hazards, safety equipment and control measures associated with sample handling, preparation and analytical method
  2. Use personal protective equipment and safety procedures specified for test method and materials to be tested
  3. Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts
  4. Ensure the safe disposal of laboratory wastes
  5. Clean, care for and store equipment and consumables in accordance with enterprise procedures
Identify risks, hazards, safety equipment and control measures associated with sample handling, preparation and analytical method

Completed
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Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use personal protective equipment and safety procedures specified for test method and materials to be tested

Completed
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Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts

Completed
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Ensure the safe disposal of laboratory wastes

Completed
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Clean, care for and store equipment and consumables in accordance with enterprise procedures

Completed
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Maintain laboratory records

  1. Enter approved data and results into laboratory information management system (LIMS)
  2. Maintain equipment logs in accordance with enterprise procedures
  3. Maintain security, integrity and traceability of samples and documentation
  4. Communicate results to appropriate personnel
Enter approved data and results into laboratory information management system (LIMS)

Completed
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Maintain equipment logs in accordance with enterprise procedures

Completed
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Maintain security, integrity and traceability of samples and documentation

Completed
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Communicate results to appropriate personnel

Completed
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Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

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:

interpret client request, test methods and procedures accurately

safely set up, start up and shut down equipment using enterprise procedures

assemble checks and optimise instrument sub-systems

check calibration/qualification status of equipment

prepare samples and standards appropriately

optimise procedures and equipment to suit sample/test requirements

operate equipment to obtain valid and reliable data

calculate analyte concentrations with appropriate accuracy, precision and units

recognise atypical data/results

troubleshoot common analytical procedure and equipment problems

apply theoretical knowledge to interpret data and make relevant conclusions

record and report data/results using enterprise procedures

maintain security, integrity and traceability of samples and documentation

follow OHS procedures and principles of GLP.

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:

MSL925001 Analyse data and report results.

Resources may include:

standard laboratory with specialised analytical instruments

laboratory reagents and equipment

SOPs and test methods.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of test data/results obtained by the candidate over time to ensure accuracy, consistency and timeliness of results

inspection of test records and enterprise documentation completed by the candidate

observation of candidate using specialised instruments to measure analytes

feedback from clients, peers and supervisors

oral or written questioning of relevant chemical principles, concepts, analytical techniques and enterprise procedures.

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 studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting.

Environmental (1)

If oysters and other shellfish accumulate significant levels of heavy metals, they can represent a public health risk when consumed by humans. Analysis of heavy metal residues requires digestion of the sample in a concentrated acid, typically nitric. The digest is diluted in ultra pure water and analysed by standard addition and electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) using a phosphate modifier to reduce lead volatility. The technician must pay careful attention to the digestion process and to the widely varying absorbances that will result from oysters of having accumulated different concentrations of residue.

Manufacturing (1)

Electrothermal atomic absorption (AA) spectrophotometers are one of the more common instruments for the analysis of microgram/litre levels of metals. Setting up the instrument requires more skill and care than a normal flame AAS instrument. Firstly, the technician must check the graphite tube for wear, replace it if necessary, and re-align it. The auto sampler delivery tube must also be checked for its alignment so that delivery of the micro-litre aliquots of solution is accurate and precise. The technician must also make the standards with great attention to avoid contamination from glassware and reagents.

Manufacturing (2)

The physical and mechanical properties of metal alloys are crucially dependent on their composition. Therefore, the composition of alloys must be checked carefully. While acid dissolution and analysis by flame AAS or ICP emission spectroscopy is possible, one of the most common techniques used is X-ray fluorescence (XRF) because it does not have the same demanding sample preparation requirements. XRF samples, after polishing to remove any surface defects, can be analysed directly against reference standards of the same alloy. Control of instrument variables is critical in obtaining accurate results. This requires the technician to carefully optimise a number of components within the overall instrument before conducting the analysis.

Environmental (2)

An insurance company contracted a consulting laboratory to conduct tests on an accelerant residue that may have been used in a recent arson attack on a local school building. The residue was run through a column chromatograph and compared with reference standards (such as petrol, kerosene, 50% mixtures, evaporated petrol) to establish the identity of the sample. Confirmation of these results was obtained by using a GC-MS instrument to establish the identity of the sample beyond reasonable doubt along with additional tests for heavy metals such as lead.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Required skills

Required skills include:

establishing client needs for routine and non-routine samples

interpreting client request, test methods and procedures accurately

preparing samples and standards optimise procedures and equipment to suit sample/test requirements

safely setting up, starting up and shutting down equipment

obtaining valid and reliable data

troubleshooting common analytical procedure and equipment problems

assembling checks and optimising instrument sub-systems

checking the calibration/qualification status of equipment

operating equipment to obtain valid and reliable data

calculating analyte concentrations with appropriate accuracy, precision, uncertainty and units

recognising atypical data/results

applying theoretical knowledge to interpret data and make relevant conclusions

recording and reporting data/results using enterprise procedures

maintaining security, integrity and traceability of samples and documentation

followingoccupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

principles and concepts related to instrument operation, material preparation and testing, such as:

mechanisms for absorption/emission

distinction between selective ion monitoring (SIM) and total ion current (TIC) mode in gas chromatographic mass spectroscopy (GC-MS)

sequence of steps required for successful anode stripping voltameter (ASV)

function of key components and sub-system of the instrument

handling of hazardous chemicals and samples and/or the fragile/labile nature of biological material

sample preparation procedures

effects on outputs and results of modifying instrumental variables

procedures for optimising instrument performance

basic procedure and equipment troubleshooting techniques

preparation and use of calibration charts and/or standards

calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision

basic equipment maintenance procedures

enterprise and/or legal traceability requirements

relevant health, safety and environment requirements

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

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS 2252 Biological safety cabinets

AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

AS/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set

AS/NZS 2982.1:1997 Laboratory design and construction-General requirements

AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set

AS/NZS ISO 9000 Set:2008 Quality management systems set

AS 2830.1 Good laboratory practice - Chemical analysis

AS 2162.1 General - Volumetric glassware

AS 2134.1 Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy

ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 Uncertainty of measurement - Part 3 Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM)

Eurachem/CITAC Guide CG4 Quantifying uncertainty in analytical measurement

Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP)

calibration and maintenance schedules

cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements

data quality procedures

enterprise procedures, SOPs and operating manuals

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

incident and accident/injury reports

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

material, production and product specifications

national measurement regulations and guidelines

principles of GLP

production and laboratory schedules

quality manuals, equipment and procedure manuals

quality system and continued improvement processes

safety requirements for equipment, materials or products

sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal)

schematics, work flows and laboratory layouts

statutory and enterprise OHS requirements

stock records and inventory

test procedures (validated and authorised)

training program contents

waste minimisation, containment, processing and disposal procedures

Specialised analytical instruments

Specialised analytical instruments may include:

spectrometric instruments such as:

electrothermal (AAS)

vapour generation (AAS)

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and diffraction (XRD)

nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

mass spectrometry (MS)

neutron activation analysis (NAA)

inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

chromatographic instruments such as:

GC-MS

GC sampling devices (e.g. headspace and thermal desorption)

specialised GC detection devices (e.g. electron capture detector (ECD), flame photometric detector (FPD) and nitrogen phosphorous detection (NPD))

specialised GC detection devices (e.g. fluorescent, diode array and electrochemical)

liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), electro-spray MS

gas chromatography fourier transform infra red (GC-FTIR)

electrometric instruments, such as anodic stripping voltammetry

flow injection analytical equipment

Tests requiring specialised instruments

Tests requiring specialised instruments may include:

trace analysis

non-destructive testing

multi-analyte determination

analysis involving high sample throughput

Instrument sub-systems

Instrument sub-systems may include:

sample introduction units and auto sampling equipment

detectors and signal conditioning units

temperature control devices such as cryostats, ovens, and thermostat baths

software control/interface

Sample preparation

Sample preparation may include:

identification of any hazards associated with the samples and/or analytical chemicals

grinding, mulling, preparation of disks, digestion, dissolving, ashing, refluxing, extraction, filtration, evaporation, flocculation, precipitation, washing, drying and centrifugation

solid-phase micro-extraction

determination of, and if appropriate, removal of any contaminants or impurities

ultra-trace procedures requiring high purity solvents, clean rooms, ultra clean glassware and specialised glassware

Common analytical procedure and equipment problems

Common analytical procedure and equipment problems may include:

sample introduction blockages

incomplete atomisation of analyte

poor resolution of peaks

poor sensitivity

Hazards

Hazards may include:

electric shock

biohazards:

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

mycotoxins

chemicals:

acids (e.g. sulphuric, perchloric and hydrofluoric)

heavy metals and pesticides

anions (e.g. fluoride)

hydrocarbons (e.g. mono-aromatics)

radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray and neutron)

sharps and broken glassware

aerosols from broken centrifuge tubes and pipetting

flammable liquids and gases

cryogenics such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen

fluids under pressure such as hydrogen in gas liquid chromatography and acetylene in atomic absorption spectrometry

sources of ignition

high temperature ashing processes

disturbance or interruption of services

Addressing hazards

Addressing hazards may include:

use of MSDS

labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials

personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and coveralls

use of fumehoods, direct extraction of vapours, gases

use of appropriate equipment such as biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets

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

minimising exposure to radiation ionising such as lasers, electromagnetic and ultraviolet (UV) radiation

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