Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL916003A Supervise laboratory operations in work/functional area

Application

This unit of competency covers planning, allocation of tasks, coordination, quality assurance, monitoring resource usage and recording and reporting of laboratory operations. This requires using significant judgement about work sequences, choosing appropriate technology and procedures to ensure that products and services meet customer expectations, and ensuring that operations are conducted safely and efficiently in keeping with the workplace business plan.

This unit of competency is applicable to senior technical officers and laboratory supervisors working in all industry sectors. Responsibility is undertaken for the day-to-day operation of the work or functional area under broad direction from more senior staff, such as scientists, medical staff and 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

Communication/organisation

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 MSL916003A Supervise laboratory operations in 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 MSL916003A Supervise laboratory operations in 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:
• supervising day-to-day laboratory operations of a work/functional area
• ensuring that legislation, statutory and workplace requirements are met in work operations
• collecting and analysing information to develop/revise operating plans and budget
• achieving planned outcomes within agreed resource and budget parameters without compromising safety, quality and ethics
• coordinating stocktakes, selecting and purchasing materials and equipment
• programing and arranging for maintenance of plant and equipment
• making decisions within limits of responsibility and authority
• monitoring outputs, analysing processes and introducing ways to improve operations
• solving a range of non-routine problems
• motivating and mentoring personnel to improve performance.

Knowledge Evidence

• Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:
• laboratory services and/or products and customers in work/functional area
• legislation, codes, standards and registration criteria relevant to the work area or function
• business operational plans and key performance indicators (KPIs) for work/functional area
• principles of budgeting, operational planning and efficient resource use
• workplace industrial agreements and regulations dealing with hygiene, dress and behaviour of employees
• standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the technical details of sampling, testing, equipment and instrumentation within the work area
• problem-solving techniques and contingency planning
• auditing procedures in work/functional area
• team leadership, mentoring and coaching techniques

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. The assessment timeframe must allow for adequate assessment over a planning cycle.
• This unit of competency must be assessed in a laboratory environment that meets Australian standards for working laboratories or is accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) or the Royal College of Pathology.
• 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:

• MSL916002 Manage and develop teams
• MSL916004 Maintain registration and statutory or legal compliance in work or functional area
• MSL946001 Implement and monitor WHS and environmental management systems

• Holistic assessment methods include:

• direct observation of the candidate's interactions with personnel
• review of reports from the candidate’s subordinates, peers, managers and/or customers
• review of reports, operational budgets and plans generated by the candidate
• review of performance reports for the candidate's work area
• review of documented examples of quality performance improvements achieved by the candidate and examples of significant problems solved
• observation of simulations/role plays to assess situations which are critical but did not arise during the negotiated assessment period.

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

• laboratory equipped with appropriate services, equipment, instruments and consumables
• relevant workplace policies, procedures, operational reports, financial reports and stock records
• technical manuals, SOPs and quality manuals.

• 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 competency 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