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Evidence Guide: MSS025012A - Perform environmental microbiological tests

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

 

MSS025012A - Perform environmental microbiological tests

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

Receive microbiological samples

  1. Check samples and accompanying documentation in accordance with enterprise procedures
  2. Log samples and record sufficient details to enable accurate tracking and chain of custody
  3. Distribute samples for local testing or dispatch samples to other testing facilities, as necessary
  4. Store samples appropriately where testing or transport is to be delayed
Check samples and accompanying documentation in accordance with enterprise procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Log samples and record sufficient details to enable accurate tracking and chain of custody

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribute samples for local testing or dispatch samples to other testing facilities, as necessary

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Store samples appropriately where testing or transport is to be delayed

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare for safe microbiological work and aseptic applications

  1. Select work area and equipment required for the safe handling of materials that may contain microorganisms of specified risk groups
  2. Wear protective clothing, replacing it when contamination is suspected
  3. Apply correct disinfection procedures to work areas before and after use
  4. Locate relevant emergency equipment for timely response to microbiological accidents
  5. Apply standard precautions when handling biological materials
  6. Minimise the production and release of aerosols, using biological safety cabinets, where necessary
  7. Clean up spills, and report all spills and suspected incidents to supervisor
  8. Wash hands before and after laboratory work and when contamination is suspected
  9. Ensure the safe collection and disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes in accordance with enterprise procedures
Select work area and equipment required for the safe handling of materials that may contain microorganisms of specified risk groups

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wear protective clothing, replacing it when contamination is suspected

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply correct disinfection procedures to work areas before and after use

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Locate relevant emergency equipment for timely response to microbiological accidents

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply standard precautions when handling biological materials

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimise the production and release of aerosols, using biological safety cabinets, where necessary

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean up spills, and report all spills and suspected incidents to supervisor

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wash hands before and after laboratory work and when contamination is suspected

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure the safe collection and disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes in accordance with enterprise procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Process samples for direct examination

  1. Prepare thin smears of samples for subsequent staining to enable microscopic identification of cells
  2. Prepare liquid films of specimens for direct observation of cell structure
  3. Prepare samples to concentrate material for subsequent staining or microscopy
Prepare thin smears of samples for subsequent staining to enable microscopic identification of cells

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare liquid films of specimens for direct observation of cell structure

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare samples to concentrate material for subsequent staining or microscopy

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare pure cultures for microbiological work and aseptic applications

  1. Select culture media to maximise growth of microorganisms and cells
  2. Inoculate media aseptically, applying techniques suitable for purpose of culture
  3. Incubate inoculated media in conditions to optimise growth of organisms and cells
  4. Subculture on suitable media to optimise production of pure cultures
Select culture media to maximise growth of microorganisms and cells

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inoculate media aseptically, applying techniques suitable for purpose of culture

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incubate inoculated media in conditions to optimise growth of organisms and cells

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subculture on suitable media to optimise production of pure cultures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perform environmental microbiological analyses

  1. Identify major microorganisms and groups of microorganisms in air, water and soil samples
  2. Count cells in undiluted samples to indicate the dilution necessary to reliably count organisms in culture
  3. Prepare serial dilutions of samples aseptically for culture and colony counting
  4. Count colonies for calculating number of viable organisms per unit volume
  5. Count microorganisms in samples and cultures using spectrometric and electronic methodologies, where relevant
  6. Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with enterprise procedures, where relevant
  7. Use rapid detection techniques to monitor the presence of microorganisms in water
  8. Use indicator organisms to estimate the likely presence of other pathogenic species
Identify major microorganisms and groups of microorganisms in air, water and soil samples

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Count cells in undiluted samples to indicate the dilution necessary to reliably count organisms in culture

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare serial dilutions of samples aseptically for culture and colony counting

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Count colonies for calculating number of viable organisms per unit volume

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Count microorganisms in samples and cultures using spectrometric and electronic methodologies, where relevant

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with enterprise procedures, where relevant

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use rapid detection techniques to monitor the presence of microorganisms in water

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use indicator organisms to estimate the likely presence of other pathogenic species

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examine test data for legislative compliance

  1. Confirm data are the result of valid measurements
  2. Report details of sampling/testing procedures and quality assurance in accordance with legislative requirements
  3. Report data in the required format with the appropriate accuracy, precision, statistic type and units
  4. Compare data with specified assessment criteria
  5. Comment on any significant data trends and identify the possible causes or implications
  6. Identify atypical or out-of-range results and the risk and/or instances of potential/actual non-compliance
  7. Confirm all unexpected findings with supervisor
Confirm data are the result of valid measurements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report details of sampling/testing procedures and quality assurance in accordance with legislative requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report data in the required format with the appropriate accuracy, precision, statistic type and units

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compare data with specified assessment criteria

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comment on any significant data trends and identify the possible causes or implications

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify atypical or out-of-range results and the risk and/or instances of potential/actual non-compliance

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confirm all unexpected findings with supervisor

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain records

  1. Enter approved data and results into enterprise information management system
  2. Maintain instrument logs as required by accreditation checklists
  3. Maintain security and confidentiality of all client information, data, test results and records
Enter approved data and results into enterprise information management system

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain instrument logs as required by accreditation checklists

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain security and confidentiality of all client information, data, test results and records

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:

safely performing tasks for the culture, isolation, identification, enumeration and use of microorganisms

not contaminating self, other people, the work area, equipment or the samples or materials under test, or media or reagents during manipulations involving transfer of cultures

identifying artefacts or image aberrations attributable to misalignment or obstruction of light paths or condensers used in bright field, dark ground, phase and fluorescent microscopy, or with other steps in microscopic examinations

identifying Gram reactions accurately

accurately describing bacterial colony forms on common media used in bacteriological investigations

comparing microbiological data with relevant assessment criteria and drawing logical conclusions

preparing data and documentation that is accurate, concise and in accordance with enterprise requirements

disinfecting any spillage and safely disposing of all contaminated materials

decontaminating the work area upon completion of work

working safely and reporting all incidents or accidents.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSS025001A Assist with assessing site environmental indicators

MSS025002A Assess the environmental risk or impact of a project activity or process.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Resources may include:

a standard microbiology laboratory with relevant equipment, samples and reagents

enterprise procedures, test methods and equipment manuals.

Under duty of care requirements, off-the-job training providers will only use samples and organisms of a risk category compatible with their laboratory as defined in AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Safety in laboratories - Microbiological aspects and containment facilities.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of results/data/records generated by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors about the candidate’s ability to consistently apply enterprise procedures and work safely

oral and/or written questions associated with testing of environmentally significant microorganisms and record keeping

integrated assessment with a case study focus, such as the isolation and identification of bacterial species in a specimen containing two or more species, by relating sample, cultural, morphological and biochemical data, and such from other relevant tests and 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.

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.

Guidance information for assessment

Required Skills and Knowledge

Required skills

Required skills include:

interpreting sampling/testing procedures, manuals and guidelines

using protective clothing and biological safety cabinets

setting up, using and maintaining sampling/testing equipment

performing tasks for the culture, isolation, identification and use of microorganisms

preventing contamination of oneself, other people, the work area, equipment or the samples and materials under test

preventing contamination of media or reagents during manipulations/transfer of cultures

identifying artefacts or image aberrations attributable to misalignment or obstruction of light paths or condensers used in bright field, dark ground, phase and fluorescent microscopy, or with other steps in microscopic examinations

identifying Gram reactions

describing bacterial colony forms on common media used in environmental investigations

using numeracy skills for enumerating microorganisms

preparing documentation that is accurate, concise and in accordance with enterprise and/or legislative requirements

seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility

reporting incidents or accidents

disinfecting spillage and safely disposing of all contaminated materials

decontaminating the work area upon completion of work

working safely

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

relevant microbiological terminology in the areas of bacteriology, parasitology and mycology

cell biology and chemistry related to laboratory phenomena, such as growth and isolation of organisms for identification

microbial genetics

microbial diversity

microorganisms of importance in assessment of the natural environment

diseases associated with air, water, and soil-borne microorganisms

transmission and infection mechanisms and vectors

population growth curves for microorganisms

anti-microbial agents and their suitability/efficacy in a variety of situations

relevant disinfection and sterilisation procedures

rationale for sample dilution when preparing materials for enumerating organisms and other pure culture work (e.g. most probable number (MPN) technique)

need for accurate identification of sample source (e.g. field location)

sampling procedures for the microbiological testing of drinking water which should conform to the guidelines published by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the Australian Water Resources Council

testing procedures for the microbiological content of air, water and soil which should be guided by advice of relevant national and state/territory environment protection agencies

identification of indicator microorganisms to assist in determining the cause, time or nature of pollution

use of microorganisms in wastewater treatment

use of microorganisms in toxic spill recovery

use of microorganisms in site remediation

collection and disposal of waste, waste minimisation principles

relevant health, safety and environment requirements

Range Statement

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

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

federal legislation, such as:

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with:

land use, acquisition, planning and protection

environmental protection

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS/NZS 4276 series Water microbiology

AS/NZS 3896:2008 Waters - Examination for legionellae spp. including Legionella pneumophila

Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council & Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand 2000, Australian guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting, National Water Quality Management Strategy No. 7, ANZECC & ARMCANZ, Canberra

AS/NZS 2031:2001 Selection of containers and preservation of water samples for microbiological analysis

AS/NZS 3666 series Air-handling and water systems of buildings - microbial control

NOHSC:1003 Adopted national exposure standards for atmospheric contaminants in the occupational environment

American Public Health Association (APHA) Handbook - Water and wastewater analysis

data quality procedures

enterprise sampling and monitoring protocols

equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

occupational health and safety (OHS) national standards and codes of practice

Environmental microbiological tests

Environmental microbiological tests may include:

identification of major groups of environmentally significant organisms, such as:

bacteria, Cyanobacteria, Corynebacteria, Legionella pneumophila, Lactobacillus, Rhizobia, hydrocarbon utilising bacteria, and sulfite reducing bacteria

Total Coliforms, Faecal Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococci andFaecal Streptococci

Archaea

Aspergillus

micro-algae, blue-green algae

anaerobic protozoa

indicator microorganisms and their role in predicting likely infectious agents

enumeration of organisms, and use of counting chambers

use of selective and enriched media and their role in identification and enumeration of microorganisms, such as:

MacConkey’s agar (Coliforms)

BG11 (Cyanobacteria)

yeast mannitol agar (Rhizobium)

lactose broth

ammonium salts

nutrient agars

tryptic soy agar

biochemical tests, such as IMViC (indole, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer and citrate)

use of antibiotics, such as cycloheximide (detection of bacteria in presence of yeasts and mould)

micro-toxicity testing

microbial activity in soils

Equipment, materials and systems

Equipment, materials and systems may include:

protective and physical containment facilities and equipment for safe handling of microorganisms personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks and safety glasses, and gloves for working with extremes of heat and cold

carbon dioxide cabinets and incubators

transfer equipment, such as inoculating loops, pipettes (quantitative and qualitative), flasks, tubes and spatulas

liquid nitrogen containers for cell storage

filtration membranes

microscopes with bright field and other relevant illumination systems and stereomicroscopes

counting chambers for micro-enumeration

colony counting devices

Bunsen burners and bench incinerators

incubators and water baths

anaerobic jars, fermentation chambers, continuous culture systems and other devices for controlling growth environments of microorganisms

laboratory information management systems (LIMS), databases, record and filing systems

stains, media, reagents and biological materials necessary for laboratory testing

laboratory glassware and measuring equipment

disinfecting and sterilising solutions and equipment, such as ultraviolet (UV) lamps

materials suitable for the safe containment, collection, processing and disposal of biological and non-biological wastes

autoclaves

Legislative compliance

Legislative compliance may involve:

comparison and interpretation of data in comparison with assessment criteria, limits and other regulatory requirements, such as:

exposure standards for atmospheric contaminants in the occupational environment

guidelines for drinking water

allowable pollution index for public recreation areas

discharge of sewage and allowable contamination levels

drawing conclusions about air quality, water quality, and the condition of ecosystems

Use of microorganisms in bioremediation, agriculture and industrial processes

Use of microorganisms in bioremediation, agriculture and industrial processes may include:

treatment of wastewater (especially in sewage)

sulphite reducing bacteria

remediation of oil spills using microorganisms, such as HCB, pseudomonas

production of eco-friendly fuels, such as ethanol

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