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.
The unit of competency assumes that technical personnel would perform tests and procedures under close supervision. The results of their work would also normally be integrated, interpreted and reported on by supervising scientists and medical pathologists.
It is understood that the management of any laboratory would establish for itself, in terms of its own responsibility and purposes, the ability of any worker to work in a haematology laboratory, regardless of the education and training record or presumed ability of any worker.
It is expected that all work would conform to statutory and enterprise occupational health and safety Codes of Practice.

Information sources could include
AS/NZS 2243.3 Safety in laboratories, Part 3 - Microbiology
AS ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
enterprise procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and operating manuals
test procedures (validated and authorised)
sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal)
safety requirements for equipment, materials or products
cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements
quality system and continued improvement processes
incident and accident/injury reports
schematics, work flows, laboratory layouts
instructions to comply with new legislation, standards, guidelines and codes
stock records and inventory
training program contents
waste minimisation and disposal.

Equipment, materials and systems could include
blood mixers
reference material for automated and manual quality control and quality assurance systems
instruments for the semi-automated or automated electronic counting and partial characterisation of blood cells, the measurement of haemoglobin and the computation of red cell indices
staining machines
safe working cabinets
centrifuges, waterbaths, incubators
volumetric glassware and measuring devices
cell counting chambers
microscopes for bright field and phase contrast examinations
spectrometers
coagulometers
counters for single or multiple cell types
computer information systems, databases, record and filing systems
general laboratory glassware and equipment associated with a serology laboratory.

Communication may involve
supervisors and managers (laboratory, quality and customer service)
other laboratory or clinical personnel
patients and clients
personnel of accreditation agencies (for example, NATA).

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 can:

count and measure cells
derive cell data that can assist with classification of cell populations
stain cells, identify their morphology and classify them
determine of the amount and function of blood components, such as haemoglobin and other substances quantified by spectrophotometry
measure clinically useful phenomena, such as erythrocyte sedimentation
assess haemostasis, coagulation, fibrinolysis and thrombosis
detect markers of immune response (where appropriate)
amplify and detect gene products (where appropriate).

Competency also includes contribution to the general maintenance of equipment and processes to ensure ongoing compliance with enterprise and laboratory accreditation. In particular, the assessor should look to see that the candidate:

recognises problems in systems and documentation
uses enterprise information system efficiently
critically analyses information in enterprise documents
prepares documentation that is accurate, easily understood by the intended audience and in accordance with enterprise requirements
manages tasks and organises work to ensure the timely completion of tasks
uses samples, reagents and materials economically and disposes of wastes safely
uses equipment safely
maintains equipment, recording and reporting malfunctions appropriately.

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain enterprise procedures relating to:

the necessity for a patient or client focus when performing laboratory procedures and tests, including issues of confidentiality and security of clinical and laboratory information and data
the relationships that exists between the sample and the test result, including-
sample collection
the preservation and timely testing of samples
sample storage requirements and issues of artefact
sub-sampling routines, including the nature of unstable particulate suspensions
validated tests
quality control
quality assurance
the use and maintenance of laboratory equipment and resources that contribute to accurate, precise, timely and economical generation of data for use by clinicians

accurate use of terms applied to:

relevant underpinning aspects of normal and abnormal anatomy, physiology, genetics, biochemistry and immunology
the investigation of blood cell disorders, including: anaemia, leucocytoses and leucocytopaenias, leukaemia and thrombocytopenia
heritable and acquired coagulopathies and therapeutic drug related alterations in haemostatic and coagulation mechanisms
haematological responses to infection, immunisation and malignancy.
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 results/data/records generated by the candidate
feedback from peers and supervisors that enterprise procedures were followed and that work is performed consistently in line with enterprise requirements
oral and/or written tests and paper problems associated with test methods and laboratory processes, such as equipment calibration and maintenance
integrated assessment by use of case studies to demonstrate performance of the range of tests and procedures implied in the critical aspects of competency and essential knowledge sections of this standard. Suitable case studies could involve-
performance of the routine full blood count, including the examination of the stained blood film
a coagulation screen, including tests to measure anti-vitamin K and anti-heparin therapeutic agents, and the counting of platelets
studies that can assist in identifying relationships between quantitative data from blood counts and morphological findings from stained blood films.
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
PMLQUAL401B Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes.

Resource implications

Resources may include:

standard haematology laboratory with relevant equipment, samples and reagents
enterprise procedures.
Under duty of care requirements, off-the-job training providers should ensure that blood samples are known to be antibody free for hepatitis B and C, syphilis and human immunodeficiency viruses. However, this does not reduce the need for universal precautions in the use of these samples.

This competency in practice
A patient's blood sample and request form have been brought to the laboratory. The patient has complained of rectal bleeding for some months. The technical officer has been asked by the supervisor to perform a full blood count on the analyser; to set up an erythrocyte sedimentation rate; and to prepare, stain and examine a film of the patient's blood. The technical officer checks the records for information on the patient. Finding none, the technical officer records the required data in the laboratory information management system (LIMS) and then performs the required tests. Satisfied that the results of the standards are within range, the technical officer prints an interim report for the supervisor. The report incorporates the results of the differential white cell count, calculations of the leucocyte numbers and comments on the morphology of the blood cells. The report and film is taken to the pathologist for supplementary comments, verification and signature. Following these checks, the technical officer telephones the ward to advise that the patient's results can be retrieved from the ward's computer terminal.

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
(2)