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.
This unit of competency describes the automation of laboratory systems, particularly the integration of laboratory processes with computer systems. A technical specialist would be expected to implement and troubleshoot the interconnection of laboratory and field equipment. This unit of competency covers only the interconnection, not the design and construction, of scientific equipment or laboratory computer systems.

Information sources could include
operation manuals for computer ware, laboratory instruments and field equipment
maintenance agreements with suppliers
specifications of laboratory instruments and field equipment
safe operation requirements for computers and equipment used
environment, safety and emergency procedures
national and international standards covering hardware and software.

Equipment, materials and systems could include
suitable scientific equipment and instruments
array of sensors and transducers
data acquisition and digital communication interfacing modules
simple troubleshooting equipment (multimeter and breakout boxes)
protocol analysis tools (software or hardware)
turnkey and programmable data acquisition and control software.

Information sources could include
specifications of laboratory instruments and field equipment
hardware interface standards (for example, EIA RS232, IEEE 488 or IEEE 1394)
data format and management standards (for example, National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council's Laboratory Assessment Checklist: Computer Services Section and Analytical Data Interchange protocols).

Equipment, materials and systems could include
temperature, pressure, light displacement and stress sensors
representative laboratory and field equipment (for example, pH meters, balances, spectrometers or data loggers).

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:

collects relevant information from manuals, specification sheets, diagnostic equipment and software
constructs and correctly routes interconnections
implements successful data transfer
manages data transfer
documents operational procedures and implementation details
troubleshoots exiting data collection and communication between laboratory processes and computer systems
captures data from non-automated laboratory processes
interconnects laboratory and/or field equipment with computers using both serial and parallel digital communication
integrates laboratory workstations into networked laboratory computer systems
programs and interrogates stand alone monitoring equipment.

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:

appropriate technical terminology to communicate effectively with others
relevant numbering systems (binary, decimal and hexadecimal)
basic computer hardware and software concepts
integration of enterprise wide information systems
data types used in laboratory and field sciences
scientific concepts relevant to the application
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:

integrated assessment based on a real or stimulated case study, for example-
establish successful data acquisition (sensor selection, acquisition module installation and configuration, suitable signal conditioning and representative analog to digital conversion)
troubleshooting defective data capture (covering problems, such as resolution and noise)
establish successful two-way communication between laboratory or field equipment and a laboratory computer network
troubleshoot defective digital communications (incorrect protocol parameters, incorrect hardware configuration)
oral and written questions associated with electronic data capture, digital communications and associated documentation and standards
feedback from peers and/or supervisors to confirm that workplace practices and procedures are consistently followed and that the results meet workplace requirements.
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:

PMLTEST703B Develop or adapt analyses and procedures.

Resource implications

Resources may include:

workplace documents, such as manuals, specification sheets, laboratory notebooks and standard operating procedures
relevant equipment and components, including computer network, suitable instruments and equipment, specimens and samples
equipment generated data.

This competency in practice
A manufacturing plant was monitoring wastewater before discharging it from its treatment plant. A multiprobe capable of monitoring up to fifteen parameters, such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and redox potential was purchased to streamline the monitoring process. The technical specialist checked the documentation accompanying the probe. The documentation indicated that it was compatible with a variety of RS-232, RS-485, RS-422 and SDI-12 data-handling devices. After attaching the probe to the computer system using HyperTerminal in Windows, the 'Connect' and 'Direct to COM port' commands were selected to connect the multiprobe to the computer. The test data was received by the computer and saved and analysed using appropriate data analysis programs.
A senior technical officer works for a pathology laboratory that has just installed a new laboratory information management system (LIMS). As part of the purchase contract the LIMS vendor interfaced all currently operational automated equipment. The laboratory has an older electrolyte analyser, which it uses as a backup unit. It has had frequent use lately. Because of the unit's age, the technical manuals have been misplaced. The officer has been asked to see if the old unit can be interfaced to the new LIMS to save on manual transcription. The analyser uses a serial interface, which appears to comply with RS232. By inspection of the connectors and from knowledge of the RS232 standard, the officer determines the analyser should be configured as for data terminal equipment (DTE). The officer then constructs a suitable cable and physically connects the analyser to a PC workstation. Using a simple terminal emulation program, the officer determines the correct communication parameters and basic commands to upload the results to the PC. Using the LIMS open database connectivity capability and a graphical programming language, such as Labview, the officer semi-automates data transfer from the analyser to the PC then to the LIMS. The report on the success of the interconnect prompts management to contract a professional programmer to fully automate the interface in liaison with the officer.

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
(3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(3)

Planning and organising activities
(3)

Working with others and in teams
(3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(3)

Solving problems
(3)

Using technology
(3)