Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare solutions
   • Select appropriate procedure for solution preparation
   • Select equipment, materials and solvent of specified purity
   • Measure appropriate quantities of reagents for solution preparation and record data.
   • Select and assemble specified laboratory equipment and appropriate grade of glassware
   • Perform specified dilutions
   • Prepare solutions to achieve homogeneous mix of the specified concentration
   • Label and store solutions to maintain identity and stability
2. Standardise and use volumetric solutions
   • Assemble appropriate laboratory equipment
   • Perform serial dilutions as required
   • Standardise the solution to the required specified range and precision
   • Label and store solutions to maintain identity and stability
   • Use standard volumetric solutions to determine concentration of unknown solutions
3. Calculate and record data
   • Calculate specified concentrations
   • Use authorised procedure if data is to be modified
   • Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with workplace procedures, as required
   • Record all relevant details according to laboratory procedures and report results
   • Report concentration with appropriate units
4. Monitor the quality of laboratory solutions
   • Check solutions for visual deterioration and expiry date
   • Re-standardise or dispose of dated or deteriorated solutions
   • Record details and label solutions according to laboratory procedures
5. Maintain a safe work environment
   • Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel
   • Clean up spills using appropriate techniques to protect personnel, work area and environment
   • Minimise generation of waste and environmental impacts
   • Ensure the safe collection of laboratory and hazardous waste for subsequent disposal
   • Store equipment and reagents as required

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.
Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements	Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of: Australian and international standards covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, laboratory safety, quality management, laboratory glassware and international system of units (SI) national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, national environmental protection measures, and national measurement regulations and guidelines specific codes, guidelines and procedures, such as National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements, principles of good laboratory practice (GLP), and Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP) workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); quality and equipment manuals; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures workplace procedures and standard methods for preparing working solutions
Solutions		Solutions may include, but are not limited to, one or more of: solutions of strong/weak acids and bases oxidising/reducing agents solutions used for complexometric or precipitation titrations stains for cells and tissues, enzymes, buffers and antibodies diluents for maintaining isotonicity organic solutions and histological fixatives
Checking useability of solutions		Checking useability of solutions includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: examining stained samples for correct staining reactions performing pH checks confirming enzyme activity checking red cell suspensions for haemolysis ferric chloride for phenolic solutions isotonicity for saline
Established safe work practices		Established safe work practices include, but are not limited to, one or more of: use of PPE, such as safety glasses, gloves and coveralls correctly labelling reagents and hazardous materials handling and storing hazardous material and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer instructions, and workplace procedures and regulations regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment and work areas prompt clean-up of spills in accordance workplace procedures
WHS and environmental management requirements		WHS and environmental management requirements · complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time · applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples · accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

---

Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

preparing and standardising at least three (3) different solutions in accordance workplace procedures and/or standard methods

using balances and volumetric glassware accurately

selecting and using primary and secondary standards and indicators

performing titrations using laboratory procedures with required accuracy and precision and within required timelines

determining equivalence points using indicators and graphical methods

calculating the concentration of the solution with appropriate units and uncertainties given the chemical reaction for the titration

performing quality assurance checks for solution performance

recognising control results that are not within acceptable range

recording and reporting results in accordance with workplace procedures

labelling and storing solutions, safely cleaning up spills and collecting and disposing of waste in accordance with workplace procedures

working safely at all times by following established safe work practices and using safety information and safety equipment.

---

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

solution terminology

the chemistry of acids, bases, buffers and redox reactions

Moles and Molarity

scientific terminology for different types of solutions

chemical symbols and Atomic Mass

formulae for calculating concentration

concepts of metrology, including:

all measurements are estimates

measurements belong to a population of measurements of the measured parameters

precision, accuracy and significant figures

sources of error, uncertainty and repeatability

traceability

international system of units (SI)

grades of glassware, reagents and their use

reactions used for standardisation and desirable characteristics

workplace procedures, standard methods and calculations used for preparing, standardising and monitoring the quality of solutions used in job role

workplace communication and reporting procedures

relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

---