Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to plan, allocate tasks, coordinate, monitor quality and resource usage, and the recording and reporting of laboratory operations. This requires using significant judgement about work sequences, choosing appropriate technology and procedures to ensure that products and services meet customer expectations, and ensuring that operations are conducted safely and efficiently in keeping with the workplace business plan.
This unit applies to senior technical officers and laboratory supervisors working in all industry sectors. Responsibility is undertaken for the day-to-day operation of the work or functional area under broad direction from more senior staff, such as scientists, medical staff and engineers.
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Monitor and direct work practices within functional area | 1.1 | Ensure that personnel follow all relevant procedures, regulations and standards |
1.2 | Confirm that all technical work is performed in accordance with relevant standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and schedules | ||
1.3 | Ensure that analytical results/data are checked, collated and distributed in accordance with workplace requirements | ||
1.4 | Monitor testing and sampling procedures for quality control in accordance with workplace requirements | ||
1.5 | Identify and resolve complex problems by using agreed problem-solving strategies and act to prevent their recurrence | ||
2 | Manage personnel within work area | 2.1 | Develop and coordinate rosters to balance job requirements, laboratory efficiency and skill development opportunities |
2.2 | Empower work groups/teams in dealing with technical and workflow problems and suggesting improvements | ||
2.3 | Provide coaching and mentoring to support personnel who have difficulties with meeting targets for performance and/or resource usage | ||
2.4 | Establish and maintain effective communication with all personnel and clients to ensure smooth and efficient operations | ||
3 | Establish resource requirements, operating plans and budget | 3.1 | Collect and analyse available resource information in consultation with appropriate personnel |
3.2 | Prepare operational plans which make the best use of available resources, taking into account client needs and workplace plans | ||
3.3 | Identify and analyse possible variances due to external/internal factors and prepare contingency plans | ||
3.4 | Collect and analyse information to develop/revise an operating budget for the work/functional area | ||
4 | Procure resources to achieve operational plans | 4.1 | Analyse resource requirements and sources of supply in terms of suitability, cost, quality and availability |
4.2 | Select and purchase new materials and equipment in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
4.3 | Coordinate stocktaking of materials and equipment to ensure maintenance of stock at prescribed levels | ||
4.4 | Ensure that personnel are competent to perform required tasks and organise training as required | ||
4.5 | Arrange for the recruitment and induction of personnel as appropriate | ||
5 | Monitor and optimise operational performance and resource usage | 5.1 | Monitor the relationship between budget and actual performance to foresee problems |
5.2 | Analyse variations in budget performance and either report or rectify abnormal/sub-optimal performance | ||
5.3 | Negotiate with designated personnel and seek approval for variations to operational plans as required | ||
5.4 | Assess utilisation of plant, equipment and consumables and compare with planned usage | ||
5.5 | Rectify sub-optimal utilisation of plant, equipment and consumables | ||
5.6 | Program and arrange for maintenance of plant and equipment in accordance with workplace maintenance schedules | ||
5.7 | Maintain systems, procedures and records associated with resource usage in accordance with workplace requirements | ||
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Competency Field
Communication/organisation