Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to evaluate and select test methods and/or procedures that are relevant to the current and evolving scope of the laboratory's operations. Selection of test methods and/or procedures may involve the appraisal of new and emerging technologies and may inform decision making about possible extension of the laboratory's scope. Alternatively, it may relate to existing testing requirements, 'one-off' tests, client's special requirements or new tests required to satisfy new legislative, accreditation, licensing or regulatory requirements.

This unit applies to senior technical officers, technical specialists and laboratory supervisors working in all industry sectors. They are required to demonstrate wide ranging, highly specialised technical skills. They are expected to execute sound judgement in the selection of appropriate methodology under the broad guidance of scientists/medical staff/engineers. All operations must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or workplace requirements.

No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. However, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements for laboratory operations exist, so local requirements should be checked. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must also be applied.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Testing

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

• Learning skills to appraise new and emerging technologies relevant to scope of laboratory operations and/or job role
• Numeracy skills to use method performance measures, such as accuracy, precision, uncertainty, linearity, selectivity, range, limit of detection and matrix characteristics in method selection.

Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL976003 Evaluate and select appropriate test methods and/or procedures.

Links

Training Package Companion Volumes - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c63a03b-4a6b-4ae5-9560-1e3c5f462baa

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has completed the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and:

• evaluated and selected test methods and procedures for at least 2 different items or laboratory processes.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

• principles, concepts and workplace and regulatory requirements related to method selection
• regulatory and licensing requirements related to selected test methods
• scientific and technical principles underpinning test method and their application to selection of testing methods for different materials
• calculation steps for data analysis and estimation of uncertainties for selected test methods
• significance of normal, physiological or reference ranges
• common types of tests and procedures:

• routine
• infrequent and 'one-off'
• quantitative or qualitative
• identification or quantification of biological, chemical or physical activity
• gross characteristics of a sample, including in vitro and in vivo
• detection of chemical, physical or biological characteristics, features, markers or responses

• drivers for the evaluation and selection of test methods and procedures
• factors that typically influence method evaluation and selection:

• quantity and nature of sample available for testing
• levels of detection required
• type of matrix, possible contaminants and resulting interference
• safety
• availability of suitable equipment, instruments and availability of trained staff
• cost
• selectivity of method, range, accuracy, precision and acceptable uncertainty
• whether it is appropriate/ethical to perform the test
• balancing customer, workplace and/or regulatory/licensing requirements

• workplace and/or legal traceability requirements
• awareness of environmental sustainability issues as they relate to the work task
• legal, ethical and work health and safety (WHS) requirements specific to the work task.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

• a standard laboratory equipped with appropriate equipment, analytical instruments and reagents, SOPs and test methods
• Australian and international regulatory standards relevant to scope of laboratory operations.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Links

Training Package Companion Volumes - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c63a03b-4a6b-4ae5-9560-1e3c5f462baa