The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.
Scientific images may include photographic, digital, X-ray and video images, and prints or transparencies of subjects, such as:
building sites, environmental survey and monitoring sites
accident or incident sites, injuries
forensic evidence
biological specimens
histological sections
live animals
chromatography gels.
Other imaging techniques may include:
direct transformation from images to data, such as reading of DNA sequencing gels
autoradiations
micrographs
other non visible light sources, such as ultraviolet light, fluorescence and phosphorescence
electron micrographs.
Job requirements and brief may include:
description and specification of work, including constraints, due date
purpose of the image
specifications, such as size, purpose, audience, medium and style
interviewing and collecting information from the client
keeping records, request forms, notes.
Purposes of the image may include:
publication as a thesis, presentation or on the web
temporal serial recording of changes over time
display as a poster, diorama, print or projection
preview, snapshot or proof of an image for production at a later stage
records of data for inclusion in databases
use in forensic investigation or court proceedings.
Planning of the job may include:
choice of type of image, media, site and conditions
preparation of the subject, such as: make-up, choice of whole or part, staining, dissection, mounting, animal handling, setting up a light path for a microscope, appropriate magnification
technical requirements, such as: resolution, film type, tripods, shutter speed, lens type, colour differential
back up method and equipment for image capture
specification of final product, size, delivery, number, cost
position of subject.
Equipment may include:
lighting
backdrops
camera systems and accessories.
Hazards may include:
microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, human or animal tissue and fluids
solar radiation, dust, noise
chemicals and radioisotopes
X rays and other sources of electromagnetic radiation (laser, UV)
manual handling of heavy objects
slips, trips and falls, falling objects, moving machinery (for example, on building sites)
pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Safety procedures may include:
recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs
use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, gown, body suits, respirators and safety boots
following required containment procedures through the use of appropriate equipment, such as biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets and Class PCII, PCIII, and PCIV physical containment facilities
use of material safety data sheets (MSDS)
handling and storage of all hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, materials safety data sheets and manufacturer's instructions
following established manual handling procedures.
Ethical and legal work practices include consideration of:
industry Codes of Practice, contracts, permits, intellectual property, crediting, plagiarism and copyright
moral rights, model release, etiquette, decorum and sensitivity towards the subject, use of a chaperone and confidentiality.
Production of images may include sending images for processing, processing the images or use of commercial software.
Storage of records may include the brief, technical specifications and images. It may include file management (back ups, data retrieval, storage) and can be paper based, electronic or digital.
Health, safety and environment
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.
All operations assume the potential hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.