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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Prepare specialised tissues | 1.1 | Prepare agar plugs for cytological or minute specimens |
1.2 | Prepare blood clot for processing | ||
1.3 | Prepare friable /tiny tissue in sponges and/or wrapped to ensure tissue integrity and prevent loss during processing | ||
1.4 | Decalcify bone | ||
2 | Embed Tissue | 2.1 | Perform equipment pre-use check on embedding centre to ensure samples integrity and uninterrupted embedding of processor load |
2.2 | Identify and prioritise specimens prior to embedding | ||
2.3 | Check tissue for complete processing prior to embedding | ||
2.4 | Embed tissue types in correct orientation and characteristics that minimise tissue loss and artefacts during microtomy | ||
2.5 | Select appropriately sized mould | ||
2.6 | Apply the use of an embedding run-sheet to check the number of pieces of tissue in each cassette and noting any discrepancies | ||
2.7 | Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between tissues | ||
2.8 | Embed tissue with embedding orientation markings | ||
2.9 | Perform excess wax removal from blocks using manual scrapping and/or heat removal | ||
2.10 | Inspect blocks, reject and re-embed items that do not meet quality control standards | ||
2.11 | Apply quality control procedures to troubleshoot discrepancies between run-sheet and tissue embedded | ||
2.12 | File and store tissue blocks to facilitate efficient retrieval as required | ||
3 | Cut tissue sections | 3.1 | Check that flotation bath is ready and satisfactory for use |
3.2 | Prepare and adjust all external parts of a microtome and associated equipment to accommodate requirements of tissue batch | ||
3.3 | Secure block in microtome following specified safety directions | ||
3.4 | Orientate the block correctly for each specific tissue in order to maintain sample integrity and minimise artefacts | ||
3.5 | Apply microtomy techniques to trim blocks to full face without significant loss of tissue | ||
3.6 | Cut thin tissue sections according to needs of subsequent procedures, maintaining sample integrity, minimising artefacts and conserving tissue for further testing | ||
3.7 | Float ribbons onto water bath to flatten sections | ||
3.8 | Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring patient identification on slides matches what is on block | ||
3.9 | Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between patient tissues | ||
3.10 | Compare the blocks and sections ensuring the tissue on slides matches that in the blocks | ||
3.11 | Inspect sections and reject any that do not meet quality control standards | ||
3.12 | Identify, troubleshoot and resolve common section quality control issues | ||
3.13 | Apply quality control procedures to troubleshoot discrepancies between run-sheet and sections on slides | ||
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