Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MSL973020 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Perform histological procedures

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL973020 - Perform histological procedures
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to perform straightforward histological procedures involving processing and sectioning (by hand or rotary microtome) of plant and/or animal tissues in paraffin wax. This unit of competency applies to laboratory assistants working in biomedical, biotechnology, environmental and education sectors. Personnel will work under direct supervision and have ready access to workplace procedures. 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.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Testing
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Process tissue
  • Perform pre-use checks to ensure processor is fit for purpose
  • Select program and reagents for processing
  • Inspect processor reagents for deterioration and adequate volume, and report any items requiring replacement
  • Check processor for errors that occurred during processing sequence
       
Element: Embed tissue
  • Check that volume of wax is sufficient for uninterrupted embedding of processor load
  • Check that temperature of wax is suitable for embedding process
  • Embed tissue in correct orientation
  • Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between tissues
  • Inspect blocks, reject and re-embed items that do not meet quality control standards
       
Element: Stain sections
  • Select reagents specified in the method
  • Stain sections according to the method
  • Examine sections microscopically to ensure expected staining outcomes have been achieved
  • Mount sections to ensure long-term preservation
  • Attach permanent labels giving specimen details according to workplace traceability requirements
       
Element: Select program and reagents for processing
       
Element: Inspect processor reagents for deterioration and adequate volume, and report any items requiring replacement
       
Element: Check processor for errors that occurred during processing sequence
  • Check that volume of wax is sufficient for uninterrupted embedding of processor load
       
Element: Check that temperature of wax is suitable for embedding process
       
Element: Embed tissue in correct orientation
       
Element: Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between tissues
       
Element: Inspect blocks, reject and re-embed items that do not meet quality control standards
       
Element: Cut sections of tissue
  • Label required number of microscope slides in accordance with workplace traceability requirements
       
Element: Check the flotation bath is ready and satisfactory for use
       
Element: Cut representative sections at the required thickness observing prescribed safety measures
       
Element: Float sections onto water bath to flatten tissues
       
Element: Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring identification on slides matches that on the block
       
Element: Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between samples
       
Element: Compare the blocks and sections ensuring the tissue on slides matches that in the blocks
       
Element: Inspect sections and reject any that do not meet quality control standards
  • Select reagents specified in the method
       
Element: Stain sections according to the method
       
Element: Examine sections microscopically to ensure expected staining outcomes have been achieved
       
Element: Mount sections to ensure long-term preservation
       
Element: Attach permanent labels giving specimen details according to workplace traceability requirements
       
Element: Maintain a safe work environment
  • Ensure personal safety and minimise cross-contamination through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
       
Element: Handle chemicals and sharps safely
       

Submission Requirements

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

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

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
Perform pre-use checks to ensure processor is fit for purpose 
Select program and reagents for processing 
Inspect processor reagents for deterioration and adequate volume, and report any items requiring replacement 
Check processor for errors that occurred during processing sequence 
Check that volume of wax is sufficient for uninterrupted embedding of processor load 
Check that temperature of wax is suitable for embedding process 
Embed tissue in correct orientation 
Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between tissues 
Inspect blocks, reject and re-embed items that do not meet quality control standards 
Select reagents specified in the method 
Stain sections according to the method 
Examine sections microscopically to ensure expected staining outcomes have been achieved 
Mount sections to ensure long-term preservation 
Attach permanent labels giving specimen details according to workplace traceability requirements 
 
 
Check that volume of wax is sufficient for uninterrupted embedding of processor load 
 
 
 
 
Label required number of microscope slides in accordance with workplace traceability requirements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Select reagents specified in the method 
 
 
 
 
Ensure personal safety and minimise cross-contamination through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) 
 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL973020 - Perform histological procedures
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

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSL973020 - Perform histological procedures

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: