This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to prepare culture media which is free of contamination to facilitate optimal growth of organisms and cells. It includes the ability to organise the materials, equipment and work environment and follow standard methods. Media may be prepared from formulated powders obtained from microbiological companies or by first principles under supervision of a technical officer or scientist.

This unit of competency applies to laboratory assistants in the biomedical, biological, environmental, food processing and pharmaceutical 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.

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List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

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Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice	Yes	No	Comments/feedback
Prepare mixture of media and solvent to ensure solution and even settling of heat soluble materials
Label media to allow tracking in subsequent processes
Use a vessel large enough to endure adequate mixing and heating of the media
Check pH of media where pH is critical
Dispense media into vessels for sterilisation, leaving room for expansion during heating and cooling
Load the steriliser in keeping with maximum permitted loads and appropriate positioning of materials
Ensure a sterilisation indicator is correctly placed with the load to monitor sterilisation process
Operate sterilisation cycle in accordance with manufacturer requirements to achieve sterilisation at the required settings
Cool media to the temperature specified in the media formulation procedures
Sterilise media and/or media additives using membrane filtration techniques
Date batch media to ensure correct batch rotation
Label media to allow for selection, avoiding areas of the culture vessel required for examination of colony growth
Maintain records of batches of media
Load the steriliser in keeping with maximum permitted loads and appropriate positioning of materials
Add labile constituents where necessary, under conditions that will not lead to their denaturation or contamination of media
Date batch media to ensure correct batch rotation
Incubate control plates as a sterility check
Inspect media for any evidence of possible contamination or problems with structure or sterilisation
Use personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe work practices to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL973015 - Prepare culture media

Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

MSL973015 - Prepare culture media

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: