Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to set up a light microscope for optimum resolution, to prepare routine samples and to observe, identify and report sample characteristics. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory or technical assistants in all industry sectors. The unit of competency covers limited interpretation and analysis of results. Troubleshooting of equipment and procedures is not required. Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These are found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Interpret test requirements |
1.1. Review test request to identify samples to be tested, test method and equipment involved 1.2. Identify hazards associated with the sample, preparation methods and equipment and implement enterprise control measures |
2. Set up work area for preparation and examination of samples |
2.1. Collect equipment and arrange the workspace so that equipment can be used safely and efficiently 2.2. Perform pre-use and safety checks to ensure equipment is fit for purpose and report faulty or unsafe equipment to appropriate personnel |
3. Prepare samples for examination |
3.1. Log and label samples according to enterprise procedures to ensure traceability 3.2. Check suitability of the original and prepared sample for the examination and report unsuitable samples to appropriate personnel 3.3. Prepare and store the sample for examination following enterprise methods |
4. Set up and use a light microscope |
4.1. Set up the light path to optimise resolution 4.2. Select the appropriate objectives and filter for the sample being examined 4.3. Ensure that the lenses are clean 4.4. Adjust settings and alignment of the light path to optimise performance 4.5. Place sample correctly on the stage |
5. Observe, identify and report sample characteristics |
5.1. Recognise and identify significant sample characteristics 5.2. Perform required calculations accurately 5.3. Prepare and view control samples and check that results are consistent with expected values 5.4. Identify and report out of specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel 5.5. Record and report data in accordance with enterprise procedures |
6. Maintain a safe work environment |
6.1. Ensure safety and minimise cross-contamination through the use of personal protective clothing and safety equipment 6.2. Handle all samples and equipment in accordance with enterprise safety protocols 6.3. Clean up spills using appropriate techniques to protect personnel, work area and environment 6.4. Minimise generation of waste and environmental impacts 6.5. Collect and dispose of all wastes safely 6.6. Report hazards and incidents to designated personnel using enterprise procedures |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Required skills include:
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Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
Specific industry Additional knowledge requirements may apply for different industry sectors. For example: Biological industry:
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment. This unit of competency may be assessed with:
Resources may include:
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Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment. |
This competency in practice |
Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and show its relevance in a workplace setting. Construction materials testing The supply of river sand is running out and quarries are accessing alternative sources of sand for use in concrete mixes in construction. The sand should not be an aggregate that is likely to break down into smaller particles. A technician in a quarry company is required to analyse samples of crushed rock using a light microscope. The technician looks for characteristics of the sample, such as angularities, roundness, sharpness, cracks, presence of organic matter, mineral structure and whether the particles are a conglomerate. If the sample does not meet the characteristics, the company will need to treat it to make it suitable for use in concrete mixes (for example by washing, crushing and sieving). Food processing A customer complaint is received about the baking properties of a flour delivery. The laboratory assistant at the flour mill is given the task of testing the starch content of the suspect flour. He/she prepares iodine stained samples of the returned flour and a range of baked and partially baked products prepared from it. First, the assistant makes up fresh iodine staining solution and then prepares slides of each sample for microscopic examination. He/she identifies the characteristic starch granules of the flour sample and records the degree of gelatinisation in the starch granules in the baked samples. He/she discusses the results with the supervisor and prepares a report for the customer. Biomedical A laboratory assistant works in the microbiology laboratory of a public hospital and is responsible for preparing and staining sputum smears from patients for micro and culture. The assistant puts on a clean gown and gloves before collecting the specimens from the reception area of the laboratory. The assistant prepares cultures of the sputum specimens on simple and selective media before preparing, fixing and staining smears for microscopic examination. The results are checked by the supervisor, entered into the laboratory information management system (LIMS) and sent to the appropriate section of the hospital. Environmental A laboratory assistant prepares media for plant tissue culture. There has been some contamination of Gram-positive bacteria in the last two batches and the supervisor has initiated an overhaul of the preparation and aliquotting procedure. The laboratory assistant has been asked to follow the new procedure exactly and to remove samples at each stage of ingredient addition for microscopic examination. The laboratory assistant records the exact addition amounts, batch numbers and brands of the reagents, the location of the addition (which biohazard cabinet), the equipment used and the pre-sterilisation records of all equipment. The laboratory assistant then prepares slides, fixes them and performs a Gram stain on each of the aliquots removed from the new preparation run. Microscopic analysis of each aliquot reveals nil contamination. The supervisor decides that there has been a breach in the old procedure and the laboratory assistant is asked to follow the new procedure and to perform a routine microscopic check on all batches for the next month. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
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Codes of practice |
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used |
Standards , codes , procedures and /or enterprise requirements |
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
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Preparation of samples |
Preparation of samples may include:
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Checking sample condition |
Checking sample condition may include:
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Pre-use checks |
Pre-use checks may include:
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Equipment |
Equipment may include:
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Light microscopes |
Light microscopes may include:
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Biological samples |
Biological samples may include:
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Physical samples |
Physical samples may include:
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Checking prepared samples |
Checking prepared samples may include looking for:
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Sample characteristics |
Sample characteristics are restricted to what can be viewed by bright light microscopy and may include:
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Calculations |
Calculations may include:
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Hazards |
Hazards may include:
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Safety practices and personal protective equipment |
Safety practices and personal protective equipment may include:
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Occupational health and safety (OHS ) and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements:
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Testing |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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