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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Receive samples and process associated request forms
   • Identify specimens and request forms that do not comply with minimum industry requirements for labelling, identification and test requests
2. Record any discrepancies and indicate what action is required
3. Log samples, recording details that allow accurate tracking and chain of custody
4. Prepare for safe microbiological work and aseptic applications
   • Apply principles of aseptic techniques to ensure sample and reagent integrity are maintained
5. Apply principles of aseptic techniques to ensure personal and environmental safety
6. Minimise the production and release of aerosols, using biological safety cabinets where necessary
7. Safely dispose of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes in accordance with workplace procedures
8. Process samples for direct examination
   • Prepare thin smears of samples for subsequent staining to enable microscopic identification of cells
9. Prepare liquid films of specimens for direct observation for motility or cell structure
10. Prepare samples to concentrate material for subsequent staining or microscopy
11. Prepare pure cultures for microbiological work and aseptic applications
    • Select culture media to maximise growth and optimise production of pure microbial cultures
12. Inoculate media aseptically, applying techniques suitable for purpose of culture
13. Incubate inoculated media in conditions to optimise growth of organisms and cells
14. Perform procedures that can assist in the identification of microorganisms
    • Select staining techniques to demonstrate required cellular characteristics
15. Stain prepared films to demonstrate diagnostically useful characteristics
16. Inoculate and incubate media with pure cultures to assist in the biochemical and immunological identification of microorganisms
17. Microscopic differentiation between, red blood cells, white blood cells, micro-organisms and epithelial cells
18. Select and perform tests on pure cultures to determine the biochemical and immunological identification of microorganisms
19. Perform antibiotic sensitivity testing
20. Estimate the number and/or size of micro-organisms in samples
    • Count cells in samples
21. Prepare serial dilutions of samples aseptically for culture and colony counting
22. Indicate the appropriate dilution necessary to reliably count organisms in a serially diluted sample
23. Count colonies for calculating number of viable organisms per unit volume
24. Maintain records of laboratory work
    • Record entries on report forms or into a laboratory information management system accurately calculating, recording or transcribing data as required
25. Ensure traceability of sample from receipt to reporting of results