Modification History
Release |
Comments |
Release 2 |
Six low use units removed from elective bank as determined at December 2020 AISC meeting in response skills ministers objectives. |
Release 1 |
This version was released in MSL Laboratory Operations Training Package Release 2.0. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL60116 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations. Unit codes updated |
Qualification Description
This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to supervise laboratory operations within a work area or project team.
Employment outcomes targeted by this qualification include laboratory supervisors, senior technical officers and similar personnel.
Senior technicians or laboratory supervisors are generally responsible for the planning, allocation of tasks, coordination, quality assurance, recording and reporting of laboratory outputs within their section. This requires significant judgement about work sequences, and choice of appropriate technology and procedures to ensure that products and services meet customer expectations and are provided safely and efficiently in keeping with the enterprise business plan. Under broad direction from scientists/medical staff/engineers, the senior technician/supervisor accepts responsibility for the day-to-day operation of his/her work/functional area.
They are often responsible for the effective implementation of operational policies and the technical training of personnel in their work area. They also contribute significantly to the development of these policies through the application of specialised technical knowledge.
The work of laboratory supervisors involves frequent peak periods, multiple and competing demands and frequent interruptions. Immediate decisions are often required. They must be adaptable to deal with the demands brought about by any of a number of causes. For example:
- a range of demanding clients, suppliers or contractors
- changes in technology
- regularly changing priorities.
In the course of their normal work, they:
- plan, allocate and monitor resources for their work area and are responsible for their work group’s outputs
- apply in-depth technical knowledge and skills to deliver the variety of products and services associated with the work area
- explain complex instructions and procedures to others
- define and solve complex problems by investigating, developing and testing alternatives in response to vague or ill-defined information that is not readily accessible and requires selective analysis
- make significant contributions to the development of technical and operational policy and procedures within a function or work area
- liaise with outside organisations, customers, suppliers and contractors on technical matters
- provide technical information to internal and external customers
- often provide workplace training and assessment
- implement, maintain and promote work health and safety (WHS), quality and other compliance requirements and conduct audits
- work under the general direction of laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical personnel.
They may also undertake a range of complex technical tasks. For example:
- conduct a wide range of complex and specialised tests
- exercise considerable analytical skills and judgement to determine appropriate methods and procedures from a range of alternatives
- modify methods to cope with non-routine tests and analyses where unusual samples could be involved and/or where the instrumental controls require optimisation
- develop or adapt methods and procedures.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
Entry Requirements
Entrants must have been awarded a Diploma of Laboratory Technology or be able to demonstrate equivalent competency, and have had an appropriate period of relevant employment at an occupational level commensurate with the Diploma of Laboratory Technology.
Packaging Rules
To be awarded the MSL60118 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations competency must be achieved in a total of thirteen (13) units of competency, consisting of:
- seven (7) core units of competency
- six (6) elective units of competency.
Note : Units marked with an asterisk have one or more prerequisite requirements and must be considered in the total number of units. Please refer to individual units for details.
Core units of competency
Select all seven (7) of the following units of competency.
Unit code |
Unit title |
MSL916006 |
Develop and maintain laboratory documentation |
MSL916007 |
Manage and develop teams |
MSL916008 |
Supervise laboratory operations in work or functional area |
MSL916009 |
Maintain registration and statutory or legal compliance in work or functional area |
MSL936003 |
Maintain quality system and continuous improvement processes within work or functional area |
MSL946002 |
Implement and monitor WHS and environmental management systems |
MSMENV472 |
Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices |
ELECTIVE UNITS
Select six (6) elective units of competency from Groups A and B, as specified below:
- a minimum of three (3) units must be chosen from Group A
- the remainder may be chosen from Groups A and B, to bring the total number of electives to six (6) .
Note that three (3) of the elective may be chosen from this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses where those units are available for inclusion at Advanced Diploma level.
Group A Elective units
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL916010 |
Manage complex projects |
|
MSL936004 |
Conduct an internal audit of the quality system |
|
MSL976005 |
Evaluate and select appropriate test methods and/or procedures |
|
MSL977005 |
Validate test methods |
|
MSL977006 |
Contribute to the development of products and applications |
MSL976005 Evaluate and select appropriate test methods and/or procedures |
MSL977007 |
Troubleshoot equipment and/or production processes |
|
MSL977008 |
Develop or adapt analyses and procedures |
MSL976005 Evaluate and select appropriate test methods and/or procedures |
MSMENV672 |
Develop workplace policy and procedures for environmental sustainability |
Group B Elective units
Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL904002 |
Perform standard calibrations |
|
MSL905004 |
Perform non-standard calibrations |
MSL904002 Perform standard calibrations |
MSL905005 |
Create or modify calibration procedures |
MSL905004 Perform non-standard calibrations |
MSL915003 |
Provide information to customers |
|
MSL915004 |
Schedule laboratory work for a small team |
|
MSL924003 |
Process and interpret data |
|
MSL925004 |
Analyse data and report results |
MSL924003 Process and interpret data |
MSL925003 |
Determine measurements of uncertainty |
|
MSL934004 |
Maintain and calibrate instruments and equipment |
|
MSL935005 |
Authorise the issue of test results |
MSL925004 Analyse data and report results |
MSL935006 |
Assist in the maintenance of reference materials |
|
MSL935007 |
Monitor the quality of test results and data |
MSL924003 Process and interpret data |
MSL953004 |
Operate a robotic sample preparation system |
|
MSL954004 |
Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan |
|
MSL954005 |
Prepare mineral samples for analysis |
|
MSL973016 |
Perform aseptic techniques |
|
MSL973019 |
Perform microscopic examination |
|
MSL973021 |
Conduct field-based acceptance tests for construction materials |
|
MSL973022 |
Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials |
|
MSL973023 |
Perform fire pouring techniques |
|
MSL974016 |
Perform physical and mechanical tests |
|
MSL974018 |
Conduct geotechnical site investigations |
|
MSL974019 |
Perform chemical tests and procedures |
|
MSL974020 |
Perform food tests |
|
MSL974021 |
Perform biological procedures |
|
MSL974022 |
Undertake environmental field-based monitoring |
|
MSL974026 |
Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials |
MSL973022 Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials |
MSL974028 |
Classify soils |
MSL973021 Conduct field-based acceptance tests for construction materials MSL973022 Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials |
MSL975029 |
Perform histological tests |
MSL973019 Perform microscopic examination MSL954003 Relate anatomical and physiological features to laboratory samples |
MSL975030 |
Perform immunohaematological tests |
|
MSL975031 |
Supervise sampling, inspections and testing at construction sites |
MSL954004 Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan MSL973021 Conduct field based acceptance tests for construction materials |
MSL975032 |
Provide input to production trials |
|
MSL975033 |
Perform tissue and cell culture techniques |
MSL973016 Perform aseptic techniques |
MSL975034 |
Perform molecular biology tests and procedures |
MSL973016 Perform aseptic techniques MSL974021 Perform biological procedures |
MSL975035 |
Perform microbiological tests |
MSL973019 Perform microscopic examination MSL973016 Perform aseptic techniques |
MSL975036 |
Perform haematological tests |
MSL973019 Perform microscopic examination |
MSL975037 |
Perform chemical pathology tests |
MSL974021 Perform biological procedures |
MSL975038 |
Conduct sensory analysis |
|
MSL975039 |
Apply electrophoretic techniques |
MSL974019 Perform chemical tests and procedures |
MSL975040 |
Apply routine chromatographic techniques |
MSL974019 Perform chemical tests and procedures |
MSL975041 |
Perform fire assay techniques |
MSL973023 Perform fire pouring techniques |
MSL975042 |
Design and supervise complex environmental field surveys |
MSL974022 Undertake environmental field-based monitoring |
MSL975044 |
Perform complex tests to measure engineering properties of materials |
MSL973022 Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials MSL974026 Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials |
MSL975045 |
Perform laboratory-based ecological techniques |
MSL974021 Perform biological procedures |
MSL975046 |
Perform complex tests to measure chemical properties of materials |
MSL974019 Perform chemical tests and procedures |
MSL975047 |
Apply complex instrumental techniques |
MSL974019 Perform chemical tests and procedures |
MSL975048 |
Apply routine spectrometric techniques |
MSL974019 Perform chemical tests and procedures |
MSL975049 |
Apply routine electrometric techniques |
MSL974019 Perform chemical tests and procedures |
MSL975050 |
Perform food analyses |
MSL974020 Perform food tests |
MSL975051 |
Supervise geotechnical site investigations |
MSL974018 Conduct geotechnical site investigations |
MSL975052 |
Locate, record and collect forensic samples |
|
MSL975055 |
Classify building sites |
MSL974028 Classify soils |
Qualification Mapping Information
Release 2. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL60118 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations (Release 1).
Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL60116 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations
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