Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
All operations and analytical methods must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or enterprise requirements.

These procedures include or have been prepared from
Australian and international standards, such as -
AS ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
ISO 9000 series Quality management and quality assurance standards
AS 2243.2 Safety in laboratories - chemical aspects
AS 2830.1 Good laboratory practice - chemical analysis
AS 2134.1 Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy
AS 3753 Recommended practice for chemical analysis by ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry
Codes of Practice, such as GLP and GMP
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
National Measurement Act
standard operating procedures (SOPs)
quality manuals, equipment and procedure manuals
equipment start-up, operation and shutdown procedures
calibration and maintenance schedules
data quality procedures
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
production and laboratory schedules
material, production and product specifications.

Routine spectrometric methods may include
ultraviolet/visible
infrared, including Fourier transform infrared and near infrared
flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)
fluorescence
flame emission spectroscopy.

Tests may include methods for
control of starting materials, in-process materials and finished products (for example, petroleum, food, mining, manufacturing)
environmental monitoring pollutants in air, water, soil and vegetation
forensic tests
therapeutic drug analysis
diagnostic pathology tests
determinations of enzyme activity
routine chemical analytes, such as starch, glucose, DNA, therapeutic degradation products
troubleshooting enterprise processes.

Preparation of sample includes processes, such as
identification of any hazards associated with samples and/or analytical chemicals
grinding, mulling, preparation of discs, ashing, dissolving, refluxing, extraction, filtration, evaporation, precipitation, centrifugation, drying, washing
determination of and, if appropriate, removal of any contaminants, impurities or interfering substances.

Common analytical procedure and equipment problems may include
dirty or contaminated sample cells
inappropriate selection of wavelength
problems with interfering or complexing substances
incomplete atomisation of analyte
poor resolution of peaks
poor sensitivity
need to dilute samples.

Hazards may include
electric shock
radiation (ultraviolet)
biohazards, such as-
microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, human or animal tissue and fluids
mycotoxins
acids (for example, sulphuric, nitric)
hazardous materials (for example, heavy metals, pesticides)
hydrocarbons (for example, phenol, benzene, toluene, complex mixtures)
aerosols from broken centrifuge tubes, pipetting
sharps, broken glassware
flammable liquids and gases
fluids under pressure, such as acetylene in atomic absorption spectrometry
sources of ignition
high temperature ashing processes
disturbance or interruption of services.

Addressing hazards may involve
use of material safety data sheets (MSDS)
labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials
use of personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, coveralls
use of fumehoods, direct extraction of vapours and waste gases
use of appropriate equipment, such as biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets
use of Class PCII, PCIII and PCIV physical containment laboratories
handling and storage of all hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, materials safety data sheets and manufacturer's instructions.

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 potentially 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.

The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence.
Critical aspects of competency

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. In particular, assessors should look to see that the candidate:

interprets client request, test methods and procedures accurately
can safety set up and shut down equipment using enterprise procedures
checks calibration/qualification status of equipment
prepares standards and samples appropriately
chooses and optimises procedures and equipment settings to suit sample/test requirements (such as selection of wavelength maxima, position of burner)
operates equipment to obtain valid and reliable data
makes approved adjustments to procedures for non-routine samples
recognises atypical data/results
troubleshoots common analytical procedure and equipment problems
applies theoretical knowledge to interpret data and makes relevant conclusions
records and reports data/results in accordance with enterprise procedures
maintains security, integrity and traceability of samples and documentation
follows OHS procedures and GLP.

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:

spectrometric principles and concepts related to instrumentation operation and testing
relationship of chemical structure to electromagnetic radiation absorption
handling of unstable or hazardous chemicals and samples and/or the fragile/labile nature of biological material
sample preparation procedures
use of spectroscopy for qualitative and quantitative analysis
function of key components of the equipment
effects on spectra of modifying and/or optimising instrumental variables, such as wavelength, slit width, burner position, lamp voltage
basic procedure and equipment troubleshooting techniques
preparation and use of calibration charts and/or standards
calculation steps to give results in appropriate accuracy, precision and units
enterprise and/or legal traceability requirements
basic equipment maintenance procedures
relevant health, safety and environment requirements.

Assessment context and methods
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of test data/results obtained by the candidate over time to ensure accuracy, consistency and timeliness of results
inspection of test records and workplace documentation completed by candidate
feedback from peers and supervisors
observation of candidate applying a range of routine spectrometric techniques
oral or written questioning of chemical principles and concepts, spectrometric techniques and enterprise procedures.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.

Interdependent assessment of unit

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

PMLDATA500B Analyse data and report results.

Resource implications

Resources may include:

standard laboratory equipped with appropriate spectrometers, laboratory reagents and equipment
standard operating procedures (SOPs) and test methods.

This competency in practice
Ultraviolet spectroscopy is a sensitive technique for measuring polycyclic hydrocarbons. Because polycyclic hydrocarbons are considered carcinogenic, they are strictly regulated, and technicians making these measurements must follow enterprise procedures when handling samples. A technician conducting such an analysis noted variable results. After some discussion with the laboratory scientist, it was determined that the standard materials were light sensitive and were being degraded. The technician suggested that they change the light in the work space to yellow. When the lighting was changed, the standard remained stable and the measurements for polycyclic hydrocarbons were carried out successfully.
DNA can be extracted from human blood for subsequent identification of inherited genetic disorders, paternity disputes or forensic investigations. It is not a difficult procedure and is performed by technical officers in diagnostic molecular biology laboratories and those working in university research laboratories.
In such a procedure, the DNA is separated from the haemoglobin and blood cells, the protein in the plasma and the fat by a series of enzymic digests and phenol/chloroform extractions. The last purification step involves precipitation by clod ethanol and dissolving the DNA in TRIS buffer. The yield from 10mL of human blood is about 12-20mg of DNA if all is well. The yield is determined by spectrometric absorption at 260 and 280nm. The two wavelengths are used to determine the DNA extract and the degree of protein contamination. The technical officer will carry out this step before proceeding. Too small a yield will make further testing impractical and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) will then be used to amplify the DNA in the sample.
A technician was determining the amount (by mass) of beta-carotene in imported tomato paste. The technician extracted a known mass of the paste into acidified ether, evaporated off the solvent and measured the absorbance of the remaining material by spectrometry. After reference to the Australian Food Additive Guide, the technician was able to report the tomato paste met the requirements of the Australian standard.

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation. The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit. These are stand-alone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Level (1) represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively
Level (2) represents the competence to manage tasks
Level (3) represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Communicating ideas and information
(2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(2)

Working with others and in teams
(2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(2)

Solving problems
(2)

Using technology
(3)