Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to recognise and interpret different types of biological test samples to direct the specimen to the correct laboratory for appropriate testing. It covers knowledge of anatomy to interpret histology samples and knowledge of physiology to interpret pathology samples.
This unit applies to laboratory technicians who work in histology, microbiology, haematology and biochemistry. The unit principally refers to human pathology but many aspects are relevant to veterinary pathology. This unit of competency assumes that the laboratory technician 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 clearly describe the scope of permitted practice in modifying testing procedures, interpretation of data and for communicating test results to people outside the laboratory.
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 | Work with information of body systems and organs | 1.1 | Correctly identify the basic structure and main functions of human body systems |
1.2 | Correctly identify the basic structure and main function of organs within each body system | ||
1.3 | Use correct terminology to describe body systems and organs macroscopically | ||
1.4 | Identify broad streams of disease that effect body systems and organs | ||
2 | Work with information of tissues and cells | 2.1 | Correctly identify basic microscopic structure and main function of tissue types |
2.2 | Correctly identify basic microscopic structure and main function of cells | ||
2.3 | Use correct terminology to describe tissue and cell types | ||
3 | Identify and direct test specimens | 3.1 | Use knowledge of body systems, organs and tissues to confirm macroscopic appearance of fresh, fixed and treated biological test samples |
3.2 | Confirm macroscopic appearance of test sample matches test request | ||
3.3 | Direct test specimen to appropriate laboratory for dispatch | ||
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
Testing