Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL936001A Maintain quality system and continuous improvement processes within work/functional area

Application

This unit of competency covers responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the work or functional area and ensuring that quality system requirements are met and continuous improvements are initiated.

This unit of competency is applicable to senior technical officers and laboratory supervisors working in all industry sectors. Quality audits and evaluations for the work area may be undertaken as an individual or as part of a team under broad direction from scientists/medical staff/engineers.

While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Quality

Unit Sector

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL936001A Maintain quality system and continuous improvement processes within work/functional area

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c63a03b-4a6b-4ae5-9560-1e3c5f462baa

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL936001A Maintain quality system and continuous improvement processes within work/functional area

Performance Evidence

• Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:
• ensuring that the quality system requirements of day-to-day operations in the work area are met
• implementing, monitoring and evaluating quality system requirements and initiating continuous improvements within the work area
• applying effective problem identification, problem solving and quality improvement techniques
• gaining commitment of individuals and teams to apply quality principles and practices
• using quality improvement techniques to enhance internal and external customer service
• encouraging ideas and feedback from team members when developing and refining techniques and processes
• analysing training needs and implementing coaching and/or training programs to enhance the performance of individuals and teams
• communicating effectively with supervisors, managers, laboratory and/or production personnel and customers about quality requirements

preparing and maintaining quality and audit documentation.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

• workplace business goals and key performance indicators (KPIs)
• workplace organisational structure, delegations and responsibilities, and information management systems
• relevant sections of national and international quality standards, codes and protocols that apply in work area
• workplace quality system, plans and documentation
• continuous/quality improvement techniques, such as Pareto charts; strengths, weakness, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis; and plan, do, check, act (PDCA)
• standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the technical work performed in work area
• workplace policy and procedure development processes
• workplace communication, recording and reporting procedures
• work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

Assessment Conditions

• Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.
• This unit of competency must be assessed in a laboratory environment that either meets Australian standards for working laboratories or is accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) or the Royal College of Pathology, as appropriate.
• Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
• Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
• Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).
• This unit of competency may be assessed with:

• MSL915001 Provide information to customers
• MSL916004 Maintain registration and statutory or legal compliance in work or functional area
• MSL916001 Develop and maintain laboratory documentation

• Holistic assessment methods include:

• review of quality documentation prepared and maintained by the candidate
• review of verified reports of improvement initiatives and/or projects conducted by the candidate
• review of audit processes and outcomes generated by the candidate
• review of information and training resources prepared by the candidate for personnel in the work area
• feedback from peers and team members about the candidates ability to encourage participation and provide useful information, coaching and training
• feedback from supervisors, managers and/or customers that the quality system requirements of day-to-day operations are met in the work area
• observation of the candidate leading a quality improvement team
• questions to assess required knowledge of quality systems, documentation, quality tools, continuous improvement processes and relevant workplace procedures.

• Access is required to all instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:

• documentation, such as sampling plans, workplace quality manual, quality (certification or registration) requirements, quality and customer data, audit documents, performance plans and reports, and training records and/or plans
• workplace procedures relating to WHS, equal opportunity, environmental legislative requirements, and industrial awards and workplace agreements.

• Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
• The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.
• Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

• relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR
• relevant workplace experience.

• Currency can be demonstrated through:

• performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR
• having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c63a03b-4a6b-4ae5-9560-1e3c5f462baa