Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to plan and complete tasks individually or in a team context. The tasks involve established routines and procedures using allocated resources with access to readily available guidelines and advice. Work plans may need to be modified with supervisor agreement to suit changing conditions and priorities. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to instrument operators, laboratory assistants and technical assistants working in all industry sectors. 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'. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and organise daily work activities |
1.1. Clarify allocated work activities and required resources if necessary 1.2. Prioritise work activities as directed 1.3. Break down work activities into small achievable components and efficient sequences 1.4. Review work plan in response to new information, urgent requests, changed situations or instructions from appropriate personnel 1.5. Update work plan and communicate changes to appropriate personnel |
2. Complete allocated work |
2.1. Locate relevant workplace procedures for required tasks 2.2. Undertake tasks following prescribed and routine work related sequences 2.3. Seek assistance from relevant personnel when difficulties cannot be handled 2.4. Record completion of activities to confirm outputs in accordance with plan |
3. Identify and resolve work problems |
3.1. Recognise problems or opportunities for improved work performance 3.2. Apply agreed problem solving strategies to consider possible causes and solutions 3.3. Identify and access appropriate sources of help 3.4. Consider available alternatives and keep them open before agreeing on the most appropriate action |
4. Work in a team environment |
4.1. Cooperate with team members to negotiate and achieve agreed outcomes, timelines and priorities 4.2. Recognise personal abilities and limitations when undertaking team tasks 4.3. Confirm personal role and responsibility within the team for particular outputs 4.4. Demonstrate sensitivity to the diversity of other team members' backgrounds and beliefs |
5. Update knowledge and skills as required |
5.1. Recognise own strengths and weaknesses and take advantage of skill development opportunities |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Required skills include:
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Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
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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:
Resources may include:
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Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
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 show its relevance in a workplace setting. Manufacturing A plastic processing plant had to halt production because of a suspect raw material. The plant manager immediately requested the polymer testing laboratory to test and identify all batches of polypropylene additives and colouring agents. The laboratory team of three assistants and one technical officer allocated the workload amongst themselves to conduct the twelve different tests within a period of four hours to identify the 'out of specification' materials and report them to the production supervisor. All laboratory assistants had to reschedule their workplan, perform the required tests and assist each other to solve the production problem. Biomedical As part of a routine sequence, a technical officer is required to perform a series of tasks, including the calibration of instruments required for testing of blood samples. These tasks are to be completed within a specified timeframe to meet the output requirements of the enterprise. During the calibration of one of the instruments, the technician experiences difficulties that require expert technical assistance. The problem is referred to the appropriate person and is quickly resolved. Consequently, the officer is able to complete all necessary tasks within the prescribed timeframe and the required output is maintained. Food processing Each of the technical assistants working in the laboratory of a food processing company was dedicated to performing specific analyses. As a result, they often alternated between periods of inactivity and excessive workload (the latter case had the potential to compromise their health and safety and the accuracy of their food analyses). One of the contributing factors to the periods of intense activity was the need to quickly prepare standard solutions and reagents. The team discussed this problem and agreed that while it was not appropriate for each assistant to become competent to perform every analytical procedure, it was feasible for each person to be able to prepare solutions and reagents used by others. The team developed a central register in which impending shortages of these materials was noted. Each assistant referred to this register when no other work was due and prepared the materials on a 'first in, first out' basis unless a task was given a priority rating. The team found that this strategy more evenly distributed the workload over their shift, improved safety in the laboratory and reduced the risk of error. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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. |
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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:
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Ethical and professional work performance |
Ethical and professional work performance includes:
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Workplace activities |
Workplace activities may include:
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Workplace procedures |
Workplace procedures may include:
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Problem solving |
Problem solving may include:
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Teams |
Teams may:
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Team operation |
Team operation may occur within:
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Team tasks |
Team tasks may vary according to:
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Strategies to maintain work flow |
Strategies to maintain work flow may include:
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Occupational health and safety (OHS ) and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements:
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Communication/organisation |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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