Elements and Performance Criteria
- Process specimens and associated request forms
- Check and match specimens and request forms before they are accepted
- Identify specimens and request forms that do not comply with requirements, record any discrepancies and indicate what action is required
- Log acceptable specimens into a laboratory information management system (LIMS) accurately and efficiently, applying required document tracking mechanisms
- Store specimens appropriately until required for testing
- Prepare specimens for cut-up
- Process tissue
- Embed tissue
- Check that temperature of embedding medium is suitable for embedding process
- Check that volume of embedding medium is sufficient for uninterrupted embedding of processor load
- Embed tissue types in correct orientation and characteristics that minimise tissue loss during microtomy
- Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between tissues
- Inspect blocks, reject and re-embed items that do not meet quality control standards
- Cut tissue sections
- Check that flotation bath is ready and satisfactory for use
- Prepare and adjust all external parts of a microtome and associated equipment to accommodate requirements of tissue batch
- Secure block in microtome following specified safety directions
- Orientate the block correctly for each specific tissue to ensure tissue conservation and maintain sample integrity
- Label required number of microscope slides in accordance with workplace traceability requirements
- Cut thin tissue sections (4-5μm), according to needs of subsequent procedures, maintaining sample integrity and conserving tissue for further testing
- Float sections onto water bath to flatten tissues
- Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring patient identification on slides matches that on block
- Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between patient tissues
- Maintain tissue sections in conditions compatible with intended subsequent procedures
- Compare the blocks and sections ensuring the tissue on slides matches that in the blocks
- Inspect sections and reject any that do not meet quality control standards
- Identify, troubleshoot and resolve common section quality control issues
- Stain tissue sections
- Apply staining procedures to demonstrate required morphological features
- Prepare labile reagents for immediate use
- Select reagents for specified technique, ensuring reagent sequence matches standard procedure
- Stain sections according to method using the required quality control section and accommodating any authorised variations
- Mount slides using medium compatible with staining technique
- Examine control sections microscopically to ensure expected staining outcomes are achieved and procedural artefacts are detected
- Confirm macroscopically or microscopically that tissues on all slides conform with the expected characteristics of that case
- Participate in final check to establish that the number of slides tallies with the worksheet
- Attach permanent label giving specimen details as required by workplace
- Confirm microscopically that the type/disease is appropriate and still present in the control sections for each stain
- Maintain a safe environment
- Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel
- Handle non-fixed tissues safely to minimise cross-infection and contamination of personnel and environment
- Store fixed tissues as specified to minimise exposure of personnel to dangerous fumes and vapours
- Clean up spills using appropriate techniques to protect personnel, work area and environment from contamination
- Minimise the generation of wastes
- Ensure the safe disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes in accordance with workplace procedures
- Maintain laboratory records
- Make entries on report forms or into computer systems, accurately calculating, recording or transcribing data as required
- Complete control stain quality assessment forms to report quality control outcomes
- File and store tissue sections to facilitate efficient retrieval as required
- Maintain instrument logs as required by accreditation checks
- Maintain confidentiality and security of all clinical information, and laboratory data and records