Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to analyse samples using routine chromatographic techniques. The unit also includes establishing client needs for routine and non-routine samples, optimising enterprise procedures and instruments for specific samples, obtaining valid and reliable data and reporting test results. Personnel are required to recognise atypical test data/results and troubleshoot common analytical procedure and equipment problems. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory technical officers working in all industry sectors. All operations and analytical methods must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or enterprise requirements. Although a supervisor may not always be present, the technician will follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) that clearly describe the scope of permitted practice including varying enterprise/test procedures and communicating results to people outside the laboratory. 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, 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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MSL974003A |
Perform chemical tests and procedures |
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OR |
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MSL974004A |
Perform food tests |
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OR |
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MSL974006A |
Perform biological procedures |
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MSL973007A |
Perform microscopic examination |
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MSL973004A |
Perform aseptic techniques |
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AND |
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MSL973002A |
Prepare working solutions |
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OR |
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MSL974001A |
Prepare , standardise and use solutions |
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. Establish client needs and schedule analysis |
1.1. Liaise with client or sample provider to determine client needs and sample history 1.2. Record sample description, compare with specification and record and report discrepancies 1.3. Identify non-routine samples and the possible need to vary enterprise procedures 1.4. Seek advice from supervisor about any proposed variations and document all approved changes 1.5. Schedule analysis using enterprise procedures |
2. Prepare samples and standards |
2.1. Obtain a representative analytical portion of the laboratory sample 2.2. Prepare sample in accordance with testing requirements 2.3. Prepare validation checks for analytical portion |
3. Set up and optimise instrument |
3.1. Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with enterprise procedures 3.2. Start up and condition the instrument using enterprise procedures 3.3. Optimise instrumental parameters to suit sample and test requirements 3.4. Check calibration status of instrument and perform calibration using specified standards and procedures, if applicable |
4. Perform analysis |
4.1. Measure analyte response for standards, validation checks and samples 4.2. Conduct sufficient measurements to obtain reliable data 4.3. Return instruments to standby or shutdown condition, as required |
5. Process and analyse data |
5.1. Confirm data is the result of valid measurements 5.2. Perform required calculations and ensure results are consistent with standards or estimations and expectations 5.3. Record results with the appropriate accuracy, precision and units 5.4. Analyse trends in data and/or results and report out of specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel 5.5. Troubleshoot analytical procedure or equipment problems which have led to atypical data or results |
6. Maintain a safe work environment |
6.1. Identify risks, hazards, safety equipment and control measures associated with sample handling, preparation and analytical method 6.2. Use personal protective equipment and safety procedures specified for test method and materials to be tested 6.3. Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts 6.4. Ensure the safe disposal of laboratory wastes 6.5. Clean, care for and store equipment and consumables in accordance with enterprise procedures |
7. Maintain laboratory records |
7.1. Enter approved data and results into laboratory information management system (LIMS) 7.2. Maintain equipment logs in accordance with enterprise procedures 7.3. Maintain security and confidentiality of laboratory data and enterprise information 7.4. Communicate results to appropriate personnel |
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: Biomedical and environmental services:
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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 to show its relevance in a workplace setting. Manufacturing Technicians who conduct chemical synthesis frequently use chromatographic methods such as thin-layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and other instrumental techniques to check the identity and purity of the material they have produced. For example, a technician reacted an amine with acetic anhydride to form the acylated amine to prepare a pilot batch of material for a new application. After completing the reaction, the technician collected the product in a Buchner funnel using vacuum assisted filtration, and used chromatographic techniques to purify the material. The product was then analysed by HPLC using a number of stationary phases and solvent systems. In each case, a reference standard was run. These tests confirmed the identity and purity of the material. Biotechnology Technicians in research facilities often prepare a protein by extracting it from tissue. This extraction process introduces impurities that must be removed before the purified protein is ready for use or the characterisation of its purity and molecular weight. Impurities such as salt, detergents and other proteins are sequentially removed by passing the protein extract through gel filtration columns of differing grades of chromatographic gel. For antibodies, the final column used is an affinity chromatography column. Demonstration of the purity of the protein is by the presence of one single band on an SDS-PAGE gel. The molecular weight of the protein can also be determined from the SDS gel. Environment An environmental protection authority was required to sample an oil slick off Australia's coast and to take oil samples from all ships which docked in Australian ports in the 48 hours after the discovery of the oil slick. The samples were analysed by column chromatography and compared with the oil slick 'finger print' of the oil samples from all ships which may have been in the area of the oil slick. Given that the analysis involved unknown oil samples and the results would be used in court proceedings, the analysts were careful to optimise the chromatographic system for the unknown samples, ensure that appropriate quality and control procedures were employed and that the sample and analyses were performed quickly before potentially polluting ships left Australian waters. The analysts were careful to ensure that all record keeping procedures would be able to stand up to court scrutiny. |
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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Routine chromatographic techniques |
Routine chromatographic techniques include both analytical and preparative procedures, and may include:
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Tests |
Tests may include methods for:
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Sample preparation |
Sample preparation may include:
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Common procedure and equipment problems |
Common procedure and equipment problems may include:
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Hazards |
Hazards may include:
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Addressing hazards |
Addressing hazards may involve:
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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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