Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to perform set-up, pre-use and in-house calibration/validation checks on laboratory equipment and assist with laboratory equipment maintenance.

This unit of competency applies to laboratory assistants working in all industry sectors.

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

Calibration

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.

Unit Mapping Information

Equivalent to MSL933004 Perform calibration checks on equipment and assist with its maintenance, Release 1.

Links

MSL Laboratory Operations Companion Volume Implementation Guide is available from VETNet - 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:

• accurately performed set-up, pre-use and calibration checks for at least 2 different items of laboratory equipment using standard procedures
• performed appropriate cleaning and maintenance tasks for at least 2 different items of laboratory equipment.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

• role and importance of regular calibration checks and maintenance of laboratory equipment
• function of key components of the laboratory equipment and details of the pre-use, calibration and safety checks and operating procedures for items of equipment used
• sources of uncertainty in laboratory equipment operation and their control
• basic equipment used for cleaning and maintaining laboratory equipment
• common sources of faults in the instruments or equipment used and details of their repair
• basic cleaning, maintenance and storage procedures for items of equipment used
• workplace procedures for recording calibration data and reporting results, communicating with service agents and suppliers and ordering stocks
• relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environmental management, and control measures
• good laboratory practice (GLP)
• legal and ethical 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:

• standard laboratory equipped with appropriate equipment and reference materials; cleaning, decontamination and/or disinfection agents and equipment; and personal protective equipment (PPE)
• workplace procedures, equipment manuals and information/records management system.

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

Links

MSL Laboratory Operations Companion Volume Implementation Guide is available from VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c63a03b-4a6b-4ae5-9560-1e3c5f462baa