Modification History
Release 5 - ISC upgrade
- Publishing errors corrected
- Prerequisite units now marked with an asterisk
- Elective unit updated to latest version
Release 4 - ISC upgrade
- Correction of data error in core units – MSAENV472B reinstated as per original release.
Release 3 - ISC upgrade
- Correction of wrong MSAENV unit listed in core and elective units in release 2
- Prerequisite listed for HLTPAT419A removed – unit has no prerequisite
- HLTPAT units updated to current versions - equivalent
- Incorrect elective units listed in Group 2 in Release 2
Release 2 - inclusion of new electives for forensic testing
Description
This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to apply a range of laboratory technologies to conduct scientific-technical tests and sampling in most industry sectors.
Job roles/employment outcomes
The Diploma of Laboratory Technology offers broad or specialised technical training in a range of laboratory technologies. Employment outcomes targeted by this qualification include technical officers, laboratory technicians, analysts and similar personnel.
Technical officers conduct a wide range of sampling and testing that requires the application of broad scientific-technical knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas. Although technical officers generally work in a laboratory, they often work closely with personnel in other teams within a section of the workplace.
They may liaise with suppliers to troubleshoot product non-conformance at the direction of laboratory supervisors or managers. They gather information on non-conformance and events that may lead to the modification of workplace procedures. They may also demonstrate methods to others and train them to collect samples and conduct basic tests reliably.
The work of technical officers involves frequent peak periods and interruptions. They:
- work according to established procedures in a structured environment
- collect and prepare samples and communicate sample requirements to other personnel
- conduct a wide range of routine and specialised tests where atypical samples may be involved and the instrumentation used has a wide range of operating variables
- contribute to the modification of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and enterprise methods when necessary
- define and solve problems where alternatives are not obvious and where investigations and trials may be required and the implications of various solutions considered
- work under the direction and supervision of senior technical staff, laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical professionals
- generally work as part of a team and may have a role in the planning of schedules and monitoring of resources in their work area.
Examples of the work of technical officers are given below.
- Technical officers who work in a pathology laboratory perform a range of tests on body tissues and fluids to measure quantities such as:
- the amount of biological substances, (for example, cholesterol or creatine)
- biological function (for example, clotting)
- the presence of drugs (for example, heparin or alcohol).
They also prepare cultures, stained tissue sections and thin films to count and classify cells, bacteria and parasites.
They also perform routine calibration and maintenance of instruments.
- A technical officer who works in a major food processing plant conducts a range of tests on the company products to measure:
- the concentration of nutrients and food additives, such as dyes and flavourings
- the concentration of contaminants, such as heavy metals and microbial toxins
- pH, salt, moisture and fat content.
The officer also conducts a range of tests on the packaging material used for the company’s products.
Application
This qualification is typically used to prepare new employees or develop the skills of existing workers performing specialised scientific-technical tests and sampling in most industry sectors.
Training programs for this qualification are suitable to be undertaken as part of a formal training contract with an employer under an Australian Traineeship or Apprenticeship arrangement.
Pathways Information
Pathways into the qualification
This qualification may be accessed by direct entry. Credit may be granted towards this qualification by those who have completed the MSL40109 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques. Credit for this qualification may include units contained within relevant skill sets.
Pathways from the qualification
Further training pathways from this qualification include MSL60109 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations.
Career paths for senior technicians, technical specialists and laboratory supervisors are becoming increasingly constrained unless technicians undertake university study. With this in mind, particular attention has been given to stating the critical aspects of competency and essential knowledge required for each unit of competency in sufficient detail to maximise articulation and credit transfer arrangements between the vocational education and training (VET) and higher education sectors.
Additional qualification advice
Because specialisation is an industry requirement for the Diploma, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) may choose to issue a generic:
- Diploma of Laboratory Technology
or, where elective units of competency are packaged to suit a particular industry sector or specialisation, RTOs might issue a:
- Diploma of Laboratory Technology
(specialising in xxxxxxx)
Industry sector/specialisations could include, but are not limited to:
- biological testing
- biological and environmental testing
- biotechnology
- calibration
- chemical testing
- construction materials testing
- environmental monitoring
- forensic testing
- food testing
- manufacturing testing
- mineral assay
- pathology testing
- scientific glassblowing.
It should be noted that a qualification with a specialisation does not change the title of the qualification, although RTOs may choose to record the specialisation. The AQTF requirements must be complied with and the qualification or Statement of Attainment should clearly specify the units of competency achieved and where appropriate, the specialisation.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
There are no specific licences that relate to this qualification. However, some units in this qualification may have licensing or regulatory requirements. Local regulations should be checked for details.
Entry Requirements
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Summary
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS QUALIFICATION SUMMARY |
|
Employability Skill |
Industry /enterprise requirements for this qualification include : |
Communication |
|
Teamwork |
|
Problem solving |
|
Initiative and enterprise |
|
Planning and organising |
|
Self-management |
|
Learning |
|
Technology |
|
Packaging Rules
To be awarded a Diploma of Laboratory Technology competency must be achieved in a total of twenty one (21) units of competency, consisting of:
Units listed under core are considered essential for all technical officers. The units listed as electives may only apply to some personnel according to the size and scope of the particular enterprise and laboratory. Note : Units marked with an asterisk have one or more prerequisite requirements and must be considered in the total number of units. Please refer to individual units for details. Core units of competency
|
||
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSAENV472B |
Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices |
|
MSL913001A |
Communicate with other people |
|
MSL913002A |
Plan and conduct laboratory/field work |
|
MSL915001A |
Provide information to customers |
|
MSL924001A |
Process and interpret data |
|
MSL924002A |
Use laboratory application software |
|
MSL925001A |
Analyse data and report results |
* |
MSL934002A |
Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes |
|
MSL944001A |
Maintain laboratory/field workplace safety |
|
Elective units of competency Select twelve (12) elective units from Groups A, B, C and D as specified below:
Note that four (4) of the elective units may be chosen from this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses, where those units are available at Diploma. |
||
Group A |
||
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL905001A |
Perform non-standard calibrations |
* |
MSL905002A |
Create or modify calibration procedures |
* |
MSL905003A |
Create or modify automated calibration procedures |
* |
MSL915002A |
Schedule laboratory work for a small team |
|
MSL925002A |
Analyse measurements and estimate uncertainties |
* |
MSL935001A |
Monitor the quality of test results and data |
* |
MSL935002A |
Assist in the maintenance of reference materials |
|
MSL935003A |
Authorise the issue of test results |
* |
MSL935004A |
Maintain instruments and equipment |
|
MSL955001A |
Supervise a robotic sample preparation system |
* |
MSL965001A |
Design and manufacture glass apparatus and glass systems |
* |
MSL965002A |
Perform glass coating, grinding and finishing operations |
* |
MSL965003A |
Construct, modify and maintain high vacuum systems |
* |
MSL975001A |
Perform microbiological tests |
* |
MSL975002A |
Perform haematological tests |
* |
MSL975003A |
Perform histological tests |
* |
MSL975004A |
Perform chemical pathology tests |
* |
MSL975005A |
Conduct sensory analysis |
|
MSL975006A |
Perform immunohaematological tests |
* |
MSL975007A |
Supervise sampling, inspections and testing at construction sites |
* |
MSL975008A |
Apply electrophoretic techniques |
* |
MSL975009A |
Apply routine chromatographic techniques |
* |
MSL975010A |
Perform fire assay techniques |
* |
MSL975011A |
Design and supervise complex environmental field surveys |
* |
MSL975012A |
Provide input to production trials |
* |
MSL975013A |
Perform tissue and cell culture techniques |
* |
MSL975014A |
Perform molecular biology tests and procedures |
* |
MSL975015A |
Prepare animal and plant material for display |
* |
MSL975016A |
Perform complex tests to measure engineering properties of materials |
* |
MSL975017A |
Perform laboratory-based ecological techniques |
* |
MSL975018A |
Perform complex tests to measure chemical properties of materials |
* |
MSL975019A |
Apply complex instrumental techniques |
* |
MSL975020A |
Apply routine spectrometric techniques |
* |
MSL975021A |
Apply routine electrometric techniques |
* |
MSL975022A |
Perform food analyses |
* |
MSL975023A |
Supervise geotechnical site investigations |
* |
MSL975024A |
Locate record and collect forensic samples |
|
MSL975025A |
Perform complex laboratory testing of forensic samples |
|
MSL975026A |
Perform physical examination of forensic samples |
|
Group B |
||
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL933001A |
Maintain the laboratory/field workplace fit for purpose |
|
MSL933003A |
Apply critical control point requirements |
|
MSL933004A |
Perform calibration checks on equipment and assist with its maintenance |
|
MSL943001A |
Work safely with instruments that emit ionising radiation |
|
MSL943002A |
Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety |
|
MSL953001A |
Receive and prepare samples for testing |
|
MSL953002A |
Operate a robotic sample preparation system |
|
MSL963001A |
Operate basic handblowing equipment |
|
MSL963002A |
Repair glass apparatus using simple glassblowing equipment |
* |
MSL973001A |
Perform basic tests |
|
MSL973002A |
Prepare working solutions |
|
MSL973003A |
Prepare culture media |
|
MSL973004A |
Perform aseptic techniques |
|
MSL973005A |
Assist with fieldwork |
|
MSL973006A |
Prepare trial batches for evaluation |
|
MSL973007A |
Perform microscopic examination |
|
MSL973008A |
Perform histological procedures |
|
MSL973009A |
Conduct field-based acceptance tests for construction materials |
|
MSL973010A |
Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials |
|
MSL973011A |
Perform fire pouring techniques |
|
MSL973012A |
Assist with geotechnical site investigations |
|
HLTPAT317C |
Operate effectively within a pathology testing environment |
|
TAEDEL301A |
Provide work skill instruction |
|
Group C |
||
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL904001A |
Perform standard calibrations |
|
MSL914001A |
Prepare practical science classes and demonstrations |
|
MSL934001A |
Contribute to the ongoing development of HACCP plans |
|
MSL934003A |
Maintain and control stocks |
|
MSL954001A |
Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan |
|
MSL954002A |
Prepare mineral samples for analysis |
|
MSL974001A |
Prepare, standardise and use solutions |
|
MSL974002A |
Conduct geotechnical site investigations |
* |
MSL974003A |
Perform chemical tests and procedures |
|
MSL974004A |
Perform food tests |
|
MSL974005A |
Perform physical tests |
|
MSL974006A |
Perform biological procedures |
* |
MSL974007A |
Undertake environmental field-based monitoring |
|
MSL974008A |
Capture and manage scientific images |
|
MSL974009A |
Undertake field-based, remote-sensing monitoring |
|
MSL974010A |
Perform mechanical tests |
|
MSL974011A |
Prepare tissue and cell cultures |
* |
MSL974012A |
Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials |
* |
MSL974013A |
Monitor performance of structures |
* |
HLTPAT419C |
Perform pathology tests |
|
Group D |
||
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL916001A |
Develop and maintain laboratory documentation |
|
MSL916002A |
Manage and develop teams |
|
MSL916003A |
Supervise laboratory operations in work/functional area |
|
MSL916004A |
Maintain registration and statutory or legal compliance in work/functional area |
|
MSL916005A |
Manage complex projects |
|
MSL936001A |
Maintain quality system and continuous improvement processes within work/functional area |
|
MSL936002A |
Conduct an internal audit of the quality system |
|
MSL946001A |
Implement and monitor OHS and environmental management systems |
|
MSL976001A |
Classify building sites |
* |
MSL976002A |
Prepare plans and quality assurance procedures for environmental field activities |
* |
MSL976003A |
Evaluate and select appropriate test methods and/or procedures |
|
MSL977001A |
Contribute to the development of products and applications |
* |
MSL977002A |
Troubleshoot equipment and/or production processes |
* |
MSL977003A |
Contribute to the validation of test methods |
* |
MSL977004A |
Develop or adapt analyses and procedures |
* |
MSL977005A |
Integrate data acquisition and interfacing systems |
* |
MSAENV672B |
Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability |