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

MSL975028 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply advanced embedding and microtomy skills

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL975028 - Apply advanced embedding and microtomy skills
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform procedures associated with embedding tissue and performing microtomy on those tissues in preparation for staining for examination of tissue structure and abnormalities by pathologists and scientists to assist with disease diagnosis.This unit applies to laboratory technicians and technical officers in the biomedical sector. The unit principally refers to techniques performed on human tissues, but many aspects may be relevant to animal and plant tissues. This unit of competency assumes that the technical officer would perform tests and procedures under the close supervision of scientific and/or medical staff. Although a supervisor may not always be present, the technician will follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will clearly describe the scope of permitted practice in modifying testing and quality control procedures. Technical workers may need to interrupt their routine work in order to assist with or perform procedures to facilitate rapid diagnosis of specimens. 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: Embed Tissue
  • Perform equipment pre-use check on embedding centre to ensure samples integrity and uninterrupted embedding of processor load
  • Identify and prioritise specimens prior to embedding
  • Check tissue for complete processing prior to embedding
  • Embed tissue types in correct orientation and characteristics that minimise tissue loss and artefacts during microtomy
  • Select appropriately sized mould
  • Apply the use of an embedding run-sheet to check the number of pieces of tissue in each cassette and noting any discrepancies
  • Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between tissues
  • Embed tissue with embedding orientation markings
  • Perform excess wax removal from blocks using manual scrapping and/or heat removal
  • Inspect blocks, reject and re-embed items that do not meet quality control standards
  • Apply quality control procedures to troubleshoot discrepancies between run-sheet and tissue embedded
  • File and store tissue blocks to facilitate efficient retrieval as required
       
Element: 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 in order to maintain sample integrity and minimise artefacts
  • Apply microtomy techniques to trim blocks to full face without significant loss of tissue
  • Cut thin tissue sections according to needs of subsequent procedures, maintaining sample integrity, minimising artefacts and conserving tissue for further testing
  • Float ribbons onto water bath to flatten sections
  • Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring patient identification on slides matches what is on block
  • Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between patient tissues
  • 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
  • Apply quality control procedures to troubleshoot discrepancies between run-sheet and sections on slides
       
Element: Prepare specialised tissues
  • Prepare agar plugs for cytological or minute specimens
       
Element: Prepare blood clot for processing
       
Element: Prepare friable /tiny tissue in sponges and/or wrapped to ensure tissue integrity and prevent loss during processing
  • Perform equipment pre-use check on embedding centre to ensure samples integrity and uninterrupted embedding of processor load
       
Element: Identify and prioritise specimens prior to embedding
       
Element: Check tissue for complete processing prior to embedding
       
Element: Embed tissue types in correct orientation and characteristics that minimise tissue loss and artefacts during microtomy
       
Element: Select appropriately sized mould
       
Element: Apply the use of an embedding run-sheet to check the number of pieces of tissue in each cassette and noting any discrepancies
       
Element: Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between tissues
       
Element: Embed tissue with embedding orientation markings
       
Element: Perform excess wax removal from blocks using manual scrapping and/or heat removal
       
Element: Inspect blocks, reject and re-embed items that do not meet quality control standards
       
Element: Apply quality control procedures to troubleshoot discrepancies between run-sheet and tissue embedded
       
Element: File and store tissue blocks to facilitate efficient retrieval as required
  • Check that flotation bath is ready and satisfactory for use
       
Element: Prepare and adjust all external parts of a microtome and associated equipment to accommodate requirements of tissue batch
       
Element: Secure block in microtome following specified safety directions
       
Element: Orientate the block correctly for each specific tissue in order to maintain sample integrity and minimise artefacts
       
Element: Apply microtomy techniques to trim blocks to full face without significant loss of tissue
       
Element: Cut thin tissue sections according to needs of subsequent procedures, maintaining sample integrity, minimising artefacts and conserving tissue for further testing
       
Element: Float ribbons onto water bath to flatten sections
       
Element: Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring patient identification on slides matches what is on block
       
Element: Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between patient tissues
       
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
       
Element: Identify, troubleshoot and resolve common section quality control issues
       
Element: Apply quality control procedures to troubleshoot discrepancies between run-sheet and sections on slides
       

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 equipment pre-use check on embedding centre to ensure samples integrity and uninterrupted embedding of processor load 
Identify and prioritise specimens prior to embedding 
Check tissue for complete processing prior to embedding 
Embed tissue types in correct orientation and characteristics that minimise tissue loss and artefacts during microtomy 
Select appropriately sized mould 
Apply the use of an embedding run-sheet to check the number of pieces of tissue in each cassette and noting any discrepancies 
Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between tissues 
Embed tissue with embedding orientation markings 
Perform excess wax removal from blocks using manual scrapping and/or heat removal 
Inspect blocks, reject and re-embed items that do not meet quality control standards 
Apply quality control procedures to troubleshoot discrepancies between run-sheet and tissue embedded 
File and store tissue blocks to facilitate efficient retrieval as required 
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 in order to maintain sample integrity and minimise artefacts 
Apply microtomy techniques to trim blocks to full face without significant loss of tissue 
Cut thin tissue sections according to needs of subsequent procedures, maintaining sample integrity, minimising artefacts and conserving tissue for further testing 
Float ribbons onto water bath to flatten sections 
Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring patient identification on slides matches what is on block 
Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between patient tissues 
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 
Apply quality control procedures to troubleshoot discrepancies between run-sheet and sections on slides 
Prepare agar plugs for cytological or minute specimens 
 
Perform equipment pre-use check on embedding centre to ensure samples integrity and uninterrupted embedding of processor load 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Check that flotation bath is ready and satisfactory for use 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL975028 - Apply advanced embedding and microtomy skills
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

MSL975028 - Apply advanced embedding and microtomy skills

Student name:

Student ID:

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

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Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

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