MSL50109 Diploma of Laboratory Technology

Release 5

MSL50109 Diploma of Laboratory Technology

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	Communicate appropriately with internal and external customers in order to respond effectively to requests of a specialised technical nature Write procedures using an unambiguous, logical sequence of instructions that meet statutory and regulatory requirements Record and store data, perform calculations of scientific quantities and present information in tables and graphs Report using verbal responses, data entry into laboratory information management system (LIMS) and brief written reports
Teamwork	Work effectively with team members who may have diverse work styles, cultures and perspectives when reporting problems, hazards and incidents and results or contributing to productivity improvements Promote cooperation and good relations in the team Liaise with peers and technical staff from other laboratories
Problem solving	Modify and revise existing procedures or substitute alternative instruments and measurement standards Detect potential or actual non-conformances, assess their significance and recommend preventative or corrective actions Apply specialised technical knowledge to critically analyse and resolve complex problems and non-conformances where solutions are not obvious or readily available
Initiative and enterprise	Recommend appropriate preventative/corrective actions to improve sampling, testing and/or calibration activities Identify hazards associated with samples, preparation methods, reagents and equipment and implement enterprise control measures Research current, alternative methods and equipment Suggest improvements in productivity and quality
Planning and organising	Modify work plans to suit changing conditions and priorities Assemble, organise, check and optimise specified laboratory/ filed equipment and materials Plan/adjust maintenance schedules in accordance with operational requirements Plan work sequences to optimise throughput of multiple samples
Self-management	Communicates in an efficient and polite manner, taking into account cultural diversity and disabilities Follow enterprise procedures which reflect equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and non-harassment legislative requirements Conduct work based on ethical values and principles and ensure quality and integrity of own work Review own strengths, weaknesses and work practices for opportunities to continuously improve performance Maintain security and confidentiality of all client/enterprise data and information Use appropriate personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety when sampling, processing, transferring or disposing of samples
Learning	Review feedback from other laboratories to assess acceptance of newly created calibration procedures Update knowledge and skills and take advantage of skill development opportunities Coach others in participating in occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management issues
Technology	Create, edit, test and document computer controlled calibration procedures for test and measurement instruments Select and use computers and software to collect and report information Select, use and optimise laboratory/filed equipment, such as calibration equipment, autoanalysers, containment facilities and spectrometers

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: nine (9) core units of competency twelve (12) elective units of competency. 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 Select all nine (9) units of competency listed below.
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: a minimum of five (5) units must be selected from Group A. the remainder may be chosen from Groups A, B, C and D, with a maximum of three (3) units from Group B, a maximum of five (5) units from Group C and a maximum of two (2) units from Group D, to bring the total electives to twelve (12). 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