This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to analyse samples using specialised analytical instruments that require highly-developed technical skills to operate effectively. Competency includes the ability to establish client needs for routine and non-routine samples, optimising workplace procedures and instruments for specific samples, obtaining valid and reliable data and reporting test results. Personnel are required to recognise atypical test data/results and troubleshoot common analytical procedure and equipment problems.This unit applies to technical officers working in all industry sectors, government agencies and research laboratories. All operations and analytical methods must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or workplace requirements. Although a supervisor may not always be present, the technical officer will follow workplace procedures that clearly describe the scope of permitted practice, including varying workplace/test procedures and communicating 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.