Elements and Performance Criteria
- Receive microbiological samples
- Check samples and accompanying documentation in accordance with workplace procedures.
- Log samples and record sufficient details to enable accurate tracking and chain of custody.
- Distribute samples for local testing or dispatch samples to other testing facilities, as necessary.
- Store samples appropriately where testing or transport is to be delayed.
- Prepare for safe microbiological work and aseptic applications
- Select work area and equipment required for the safe handling of materials that may contain microorganisms of specified risk groups.
- Wear protective clothing, replacing it when contamination is suspected.
- Apply correct disinfection procedures to work areas before and after use.
- Locate relevant emergency equipment for timely response to microbiological accidents.
- Apply standard precautions when handling biological materials.
- Minimise the production and release of aerosols, using biological safety cabinets, where necessary.
- Clean up spills, and report all spills and suspected incidents to supervisor.
- Wash hands before and after laboratory work and when contamination is suspected.
- Ensure the safe collection and disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes in accordance with workplace procedures.
- Process samples for direct examination
- Prepare pure cultures for microbiological work and aseptic applications
- Select culture media to maximise growth of microorganisms and cells.
- Inoculate media aseptically, applying techniques suitable for purpose of culture.
- Incubate inoculated media in conditions to optimise growth of organisms and cells.
- Subculture on suitable media to optimise production of pure cultures.
- Perform environmental microbiological analyses
- Identify major microorganisms and groups of microorganisms in air, water and soil samples.
- Count cells in undiluted samples to indicate the dilution necessary to reliably count organisms in culture.
- Prepare serial dilutions of samples aseptically for culture and colony counting.
- Count colonies for calculating number of viable organisms per unit volume.
- Count microorganisms in samples and cultures using spectrometric and electronic methodologies, where relevant.
- Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with workplace procedures, where relevant.
- Use rapid detection techniques to monitor the presence of microorganisms in water.
- Use indicator organisms to estimate the likely presence of other pathogenic species.
- Examine test data for legislative compliance
- Confirm data are the result of valid measurements.
- Report details of sampling/testing procedures and quality assurance in accordance with legislative requirements.
- Report data in the required format with the appropriate accuracy, precision, statistic type and units.
- Compare data with specified assessment criteria.
- Comment on any significant data trends and identify the possible causes or implications.
- Identify atypical or out-of-range results and the risk and/or instances of potential/actual non-compliance.
- Confirm all unexpected findings with supervisor.
- Maintain records