Modification History
Not applicable.
Description
This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to perform a limited range of laboratory operations across all industry sectors.
Job roles /employment outcomes
The Certificate III in Laboratory Skills offers entry level technical training in laboratory skills across a range of industries. Employment outcomes targeted by this qualification include laboratory technicians, instrument operators and similar personnel.
Laboratory technicians perform straightforward laboratory work. They follow set procedures and recipes, and apply well developed technical skills and basic scientific knowledge. They generally work inside a laboratory but may also perform technical tasks in the field or within production plants. They may also perform a range of laboratory maintenance and office tasks.
The majority of their work involves a predictable flow of parallel or similar tasks within one scientific discipline. They:
- perform straightforward technical tasks to prepare and test samples using relevant procedures, Australian standards and readily available advice. These tasks generally require close attention to detail and to the accuracy and precision of measurements. They may require the use of manual or semi-automated techniques
- operate test equipment and instruments and make limited adjustments to their controls
- process and record data and recognise trends and out of control conditions
- solve predictable problems using clear information or known solutions. Where alternatives exist, they are limited and apparent
- work under close and regular supervision, although they may have autonomy for specific tasks and responsibility for their own outputs
- take decisions within defined limits of responsibility
- work as part of a team.
Examples of the work of laboratory technician are given below.
- A laboratory technician working at a dairy factory may gather samples from the milk tankers, vats and the processing line, and perform routine chemical and bacteriological tests on the samples.
- A laboratory technician in a pathology laboratory may receive and prepares tissue samples.
- A school laboratory technician may set up for classes, prepare chemicals and instruments for students to undertake practical work.
Application
This qualification is typically used to prepare new employees or develop the skills of existing workers performing a laboratory technician or instrument operator role across all industry sectors.
MSL30109 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills is designed to maximise the portability of this qualification, which is the entry level required for laboratory personnel across all 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 into the qualification
This qualification may be accessed by direct entry. Credit for this qualification may include units contained within relevant skill sets.
Pathways from the qualification
Further training pathways from this qualification include MSL40109 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques or MSA40108 Certificate IV in Manufacturing Technology (Laboratory Operations Stream).
Additional qualification advice
Because specialisation is a requirement in some industry sectors for the Certificate III in Laboratory Skills, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) may choose to issue a generic:
- Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
or, where elective units of competency are packaged to suit a particular industry sector or specialisation, RTOs might issue a:
- Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
(specialising in xxxxxxx)
Industry sector/specialisations could include, but are not limited to:
- construction materials testing
- environmental monitoring
- food testing
- pathology testing
- mineral assay
- scientific glassblowing
- wine testing.
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 considerations
There are no specific licences that relate to this qualification. However depending on the jurisdiction, licensing or regulatory requirements may apply to the use of some units in this qualification. Local regulations should be checked for details.
Pathways Information
Not applicable.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Entry Requirements
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Summary
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS QUALIFICATION SUMMARY |
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Employability Skill |
Industry /enterprise requirements for this qualification include : |
Communication |
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Teamwork |
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Problem solving |
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Initiative and enterprise |
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Planning and organising |
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Self-management |
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Learning |
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Technology |
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Packaging Rules
Packaging Rules
To be awarded a Certificate III in Laboratory Skills, competency must be achieved in a total of thirteen (13 ) units of competency, consisting of:
- six (6 ) core units
- seven (7 ) elective units from Groups A and B, chosen as specified below.
Units listed under core are considered essential for all laboratory assistants. The units of competency listed as electives may only apply to some personnel according to the size and scope of the particular enterprise and laboratory.
Note : Prerequisite units are listed and must be included in the total number of units chosen.
Core units of competency
Select all six (6 ) units of competency from this list.
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSAENV272B |
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices |
|
MSL913001A |
Communicate with other people |
|
MSL913002A |
Plan and conduct laboratory/field work |
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MSL922001A |
Record and present data |
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MSL933002A |
Contribute to the achievement of quality objectives |
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MSL943002A |
Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety |
Elective units of competency
Select seven (7 ) elective units from Groups A and B, as specified below:
- a minimum of four (4 ) units must be chosen from Group A.
- the remainder may be chosen from Groups A and B, to bring the total number of electives to seven (7 ).
Note that two (2 ) of the electives units may be chosen from this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses, where those units are available at Certificate III.
Group A
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL933001A |
Maintain the laboratory/field workplace fit for purpose |
|
MSL933003A |
Apply critical control point requirements |
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MSL933004A |
Perform calibration checks on equipment and assist with its maintenance |
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MSL943001A |
Work safely with instruments that emit ionising radiation |
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MSL953001A |
Receive and prepare samples for testing |
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MSL953002A |
Operate a robotic sample preparation system |
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MSL963001A |
Operate basic handblowing equipment |
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MSL963002A |
Repair glass apparatus using simple glassblowing equipment |
MSL963001A |
MSL973001A |
Perform basic tests |
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MSL973002A |
Prepare working solutions |
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MSL973003A |
Prepare culture media |
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MSL973004A |
Perform aseptic techniques |
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MSL973005A |
Assist with fieldwork |
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MSL973006A |
Prepare trial batches for evaluation |
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MSL973007A |
Perform microscopic examination |
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MSL973008A |
Perform histological procedures |
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MSL973009A |
Conduct field-based acceptance tests for construction materials |
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MSL973010A |
Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials |
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MSL973011A |
Perform fire pouring techniques |
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MSL973012A |
Assist with geotechnical site investigations |
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HLTPAT317A |
Operate effectively within a pathology testing environment |
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TAADEL301C |
Provide training through instruction and demonstration of work skills |
Group B
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL912001A |
Work within a laboratory/field workplace (induction) |
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MSL952001A |
Collect routine site samples |
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MSL952002A |
Handle and transport samples or equipment |
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MSL972001A |
Conduct routine site measurements |
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MSL904001A |
Perform standard calibrations |
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MSL914001A |
Prepare practical science classes and demonstrations |
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MSL924001A |
Process and interpret data |
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MSL924002A |
Use laboratory application software |
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MSL934001A |
Contribute to the ongoing development of HACCP plans |
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MSL934002A |
Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes |
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MSL934003A |
Maintain and control stocks |
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MSL944001A |
Maintain laboratory/field workplace safety |
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MSL954001A |
Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan |
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MSL954002A |
Prepare mineral samples for analysis |
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MSL974001A |
Prepare, standardise and use solutions |
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MSL974002A |
Conduct geotechnical site investigations |
MSL973012A |
MSL974003A |
Perform chemical tests and procedures |
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MSL974004A |
Perform food tests |
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MSL974005A |
Perform physical tests |
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MSL974006A |
Perform biological procedures |
MSL973004A, MSL973007A |
MSL974007A |
Undertake environmental field-based monitoring |
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MSL974008A |
Capture and manage scientific images |
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MSL974009A |
Undertake field-based, remote-sensing monitoring |
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MSL974010A |
Perform mechanical tests |
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MSL974011A |
Prepare tissue and cell cultures |
MSL973004A |
MSL974012A |
Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials |
MSL973001A OR MSL973010A |
MSL974013A |
Monitor performance of structures |
MSL973009A |
MSAENV472B |
Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices |
|
HLTPAT419A |
Perform pathology tests |
HLTPAT317A |