Modification History
Release 5 - ISC upgrade
- Publishing errors corrected
- Prerequisites now marked with an asterisk
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
Release 2 - inclusion of new electives for forensic testing
Description
This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to supervise laboratory operations within a work area or project team.
Job roles/employment outcomes
The Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations offers training in the coordination of day-to-day laboratory operations. Employment outcomes targeted by this qualification include laboratory supervisors, senior technical officers and similar personnel.
Senior technicians or laboratory supervisors are generally responsible for the planning, allocation of tasks, coordination, quality assurance, recording and reporting of laboratory outputs within their section. This requires significant judgement about work sequences, choice of appropriate technology and procedures to ensure that products and services meet customer expectations and are provided safely and efficiently in keeping with enterprise business plan. Under broad direction from scientists/medical staff/engineers the senior technician/supervisor accepts responsibility for the day-to-day operation of his/her work/functional area.
They are often responsible for the effective implementation of operational policies and the technical training of personnel in their work area. They also contribute significantly to the development of these policies through the application of specialised technical knowledge.
The work of laboratory supervisors involves frequent peak periods, multiple and competing demands and frequent interruptions. Immediate decisions are often required. They must be adaptable to deal with the demands brought about by any of a number of causes. For example:
- a range of demanding clients, suppliers or contractors
- changes in technology
- regularly changing priorities.
In the course of their normal work, they:
- plan, allocate and monitor resources for their work area and are responsible for their work group’s outputs
- apply in-depth technical knowledge and skills to deliver the variety of products and services associated with the work area
- explain complex instructions and procedures to others
- define and solve complex problems by investigating, developing and testing alternatives in response to vague or ill-defined information which is not readily accessible and requires selective analysis
- make significant contributions to the development of technical and operational policy and procedures within a function or work area
- liaise with outside organisations, customers, suppliers and contractors on technical matters
- provide technical information to internal and external customers
- often provide workplace training and assessment
- implement, maintain and promote OHS, quality and other compliance requirements and conduct audits
- work under the general direction of laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical personnel.
They may also undertake a range of complex technical tasks. For example:
- conduct a wide range of complex and specialised tests
- exercise considerable analytical and judgemental skills to determine appropriate methods and procedures from a range of alternatives
- modify methods to cope with non-routine tests and analyses where unusual samples could be involved and/or where the instrumental controls require optimisation
- develop or adapt methods and procedures.
An example of the work of a laboratory supervisor is given below.
- A laboratory supervisor in a large water and sewerage utility company has been a senior technical officer for more than five years. The officer supervises technical personnel in the environmental testing section, monitors the quality of their work, oversees their training and ensures that regulatory and NATA requirements are met. The officer assists with the planning of the section’s work program and advises management and customers about test schedules, results and methodology.
Application
This qualification is typically used to develop existing workers to coordinate day-to-day laboratory operations.
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
To enter the Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations, entrants must have completed a Diploma of Laboratory Technology or be able to demonstrate equivalent competency. It is also recommended that entrants have had an appropriate period of employment at an occupational level commensurate with the Diploma of Laboratory Technology prior to entry to this Advanced Diploma qualification.
Pathways from the qualification
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.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
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.
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 an Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations competency must be achieved in a total of thirteen (13) units of competency, consisting of:
Units listed under core are considered essential for all laboratory supervisors. 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 |
|
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 |
|
MSL936001A |
Maintain quality system and continuous improvement processes within work/functional area |
|
MSL946001A |
Implement and monitor OHS and environmental management systems |
Elective units of competency Select six (6) elective units of competency from Groups A and B, as specified below:
Note that three (3) of the elective may be chosen from this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses where those units are available for inclusion at Advanced Diploma level. |
||
Group A |
||
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL916005A |
Manage complex projects |
|
MSL936002A |
Conduct an internal audit of the quality system |
|
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 |
|
Group B |
||
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL905001A |
Perform non-standard calibrations |
* |
MSL905002A |
Create or modify calibration procedures |
* |
MSL905003A |
Create or modify automated calibration procedures |
* |
MSL915001A |
Provide information to customers |
|
MSL915002A |
Schedule laboratory work for a small team |
|
MSL925001A |
Analyse data and report results |
* |
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 |