Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:05 PM AWST
22/07/2026 5:05 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Perform histological tests
Perform histological tests
Unit of competency
National Code
MSL975003A
MSL975003A
State Code
WA732
WA732
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/08/2014
Field of Education
019909 - Laboratory Technology
Original Release Date
06/08/2014
Nominal Hours
120
Description
This unit of competency covers the ability to perform tests and procedures associated with processing and staining tissues for examination of tissue structure and abnormalities by pathologists and scientists to assist with disease diagnosis. The unit covers tests and procedures that are associated with anatomical pathology (including frozen sections), and may involve the use of automated processors and staining machines.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Process specimens and associated request forms
- 1.1. Check and match specimens and request forms before they are accepted
- 1.2. Return specimens and request forms that do not comply with requirements to their source with reasons for non-acceptance
- 1.3. Process routine and non-routine specimens according to enterprise protocols
- 1.4. Log acceptable specimens, applying required document tracking mechanisms
- 1.5. Dispatch specimens to referral laboratories as required
- 1.6. Store specimens appropriately until required for testing
2. Prepare specimens for cut-up
- 2.1. Arrange tissues and request forms in cut-up area
- 2.2. Label tissue cassettes as required to maintain identity during subsequent procedures
- 2.3. Prepare containers for transport of tissues to processor
- 2.4. Select tissue fixative to prepare tissue for subsequent procedures
- 2.5. Weigh organs and count tissue chips and shavings
- 2.6. Take notes of gross features of specimens during cut-up if required
3. Process tissue
- 3.1. Select processor program and reagents
- 3.2. Inspect processor reagents for deterioration and adequate volume
- 3.3. Follow processing requirements for non-routine techniques, including histochemistry
- 3.4. Monitor processor regularly during processing sequence where appropriate
4. Embed tissue
- 4.1. Select embedding medium that is compatible with infiltrating agent
- 4.2. Check that temperature of embedding medium is suitable for embedding process
- 4.3. Check that volume of embedding medium is sufficient for uninterrupted embedding of processor load
- 4.4. Embed tissue in correct orientation
- 4.5. Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between patient tissues
- 4.6. Allow block to solidify according to requirements of embedding medium
5. Cut tissue sections
- 5.1. Check that flotation bath is ready and satisfactory for use
- 5.2. Prepare microtome and associated equipment to accommodate requirements of tissue batch
- 5.3. Secure block in microtome following specified safety procedures
- 5.4. Label required number of microscope slides with patient identification as prescribed by enterprise
- 5.5. Cut tissue sections according to needs of subsequent procedures
- 5.6. Float sections onto water bath to flatten tissues
- 5.7. Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring patient identification on slides matches that on block
- 5.8. Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between patient tissues
- 5.9. Maintain tissue sections in conditions compatible with intended subsequent procedures
6. Stain tissue sections
- 6.1. Apply staining procedures to demonstrate required morphological features
- 6.2. Prepare labile reagents for immediate use
- 6.3. Select reagents for specified technique, ensuring reagent sequence matches standard procedure
- 6.4. Stain sections according to method accommodating any authorised variations and applying required quality control
- 6.5. Mount slides using medium compatible with staining technique
- 6.6. Examine sections microscopically to ensure expected staining outcomes are achieved and procedural artefacts are detected
- 6.7. Confirm macroscopically or microscopically that tissue type conforms with labelling and pathologist specifications
- 6.8. Participate in final check to establish that the number of slides tallies with the worksheet
- 6.9. Attach permanent label giving specimen details as required by enterprise
7. Contribute to efficient provision of histological services
- 7.1. Monitor and maintain resources for pathologists in cut-up area
- 7.2. Liaise with clinical and nursing staff if required by enterprise regarding tissue fixative requirements in areas, such as wards, theatres and mortuary
- 7.3. Monitor and maintain volumes of fixatives in areas, such as wards, theatres and mortuary
- 7.4. Store slides and blocks according to legal and enterprise requirements under conditions that prevent degeneration
8. Maintain a safe environment
- 8.1. Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel
- 8.2. Handle non-fixed tissues safely to minimise cross-infection and contamination of personnel and environment
- 8.3. Store fixed tissues as specified to minimise exposure of personnel to dangerous fumes and vapours
- 8.4. Clean up spills using appropriate techniques to protect personnel, work area and environment from contamination
- 8.5. Minimise the generation of wastes
- 8.6. Ensure the safe disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes in accordance with enterprise procedures
9. Maintain laboratory records
- 9.1. Make entries on report forms or into computer systems, accurately calculating, recording or transcribing data as required
- 9.2. File and store tissue sections to facilitate efficient retrieval as required
- 9.3. Maintain instrument logs as required by accreditation checks
- 9.4. Maintain confidentiality and security of all clinical information, and laboratory data and records
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Codes of practice
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS 2252 Biological safety cabinets
AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
AS/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set
AS/NZS 2982.1:1997 Laboratory design and construction - General requirements
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set
AS/NZS ISO 9000 Set:2008 Quality management systems set
cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements
enterprise procedures, SOPs and operating manuals
incident and accident/injury reports
instructions to comply with legislation, standards, guidelines and codes
material data safety sheets (MSDS)
medico-legal and laboratory accreditation requirements for traceability of specimens and records
quality system and continued improvement processes
safety requirements for equipment, materials or products
sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal)
schematics, work flows and laboratory layouts
statutory and enterprise occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements
stock records and inventory
test procedures (validated and authorised)
training program contents
waste minimisation, containment, processing and disposal procedures
Equipment, reagents, specimens and systems
Equipment, reagents, specimens and systems may include:
microtomes and microtome knives (non-disposable or disposable)
cryostats for frozen sections
microtome knife sharpeners
embedding centres
flotation baths, drying ovens and microwave ovens
tissue processors
staining and cover slipping machines
microscopes for bright field, phase contrast and fluorescence examinations
volumetric glassware and measuring devices
general laboratory glassware and equipment identified with an anatomical pathology laboratory
reagents, such as formaldehyde, ethanol, xylene, paraffin, picric acid and mercuric chloride
reference material for automated and manual quality control and quality assurance systems
fresh and fixed specimens
computer information systems, databases, record and filing systems, including specimen accessioning
Communication
Communication may involve:
supervisors and managers (laboratory, quality and customer service)
other laboratory or clinical personnel (pathologists, nursing staff, pathology registrars, other medical staff and clerical staff)
clients
external auditors and accreditation agencies (e.g. National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA))
Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements
OHS and environmental management requirements:
all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time
all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied
where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Codes of practice
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS 2252 Biological safety cabinets
AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
AS/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set
AS/NZS 2982.1:1997 Laboratory design and construction - General requirements
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set
AS/NZS ISO 9000 Set:2008 Quality management systems set
cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements
enterprise procedures, SOPs and operating manuals
incident and accident/injury reports
instructions to comply with legislation, standards, guidelines and codes
material data safety sheets (MSDS)
medico-legal and laboratory accreditation requirements for traceability of specimens and records
quality system and continued improvement processes
safety requirements for equipment, materials or products
sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal)
schematics, work flows and laboratory layouts
statutory and enterprise occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements
stock records and inventory
test procedures (validated and authorised)
training program contents
waste minimisation, containment, processing and disposal procedures
Equipment, reagents, specimens and systems
Equipment, reagents, specimens and systems may include:
microtomes and microtome knives (non-disposable or disposable)
cryostats for frozen sections
microtome knife sharpeners
embedding centres
flotation baths, drying ovens and microwave ovens
tissue processors
staining and cover slipping machines
microscopes for bright field, phase contrast and fluorescence examinations
volumetric glassware and measuring devices
general laboratory glassware and equipment identified with an anatomical pathology laboratory
reagents, such as formaldehyde, ethanol, xylene, paraffin, picric acid and mercuric chloride
reference material for automated and manual quality control and quality assurance systems
fresh and fixed specimens
computer information systems, databases, record and filing systems, including specimen accessioning
Communication
Communication may involve:
supervisors and managers (laboratory, quality and customer service)
other laboratory or clinical personnel (pathologists, nursing staff, pathology registrars, other medical staff and clerical staff)
clients
external auditors and accreditation agencies (e.g. National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA))
Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements
OHS and environmental management requirements:
all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time
all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied
where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
perform manual and automated histological tests and procedures
prepare, safely store and dispose of stains and reagents
cut paraffin embedded sections, free of wrinkles, scores and folds, at the specified thickness to demonstrate tissue and cellular structures, granules, inclusions and organelles,as required
cut and stain frozen sections at the specified thickness to demonstrate tissue and cellular structures and inclusions as required
stain paraffin embedded sections to demonstrate normal and abnormal tissue structure
perform specialised staining, for example, to demonstrate connective tissue, musclestriations, central nervous system, glands, basement membrane, micro-organisms, pigments and deposits
perform histochemical stains, for example to demonstrate carbohydrates, amyloid and mucins
perform specialised techniques, such as polarising microscopy, fluorescent staining and use of microwave ovens in histopathology
perform basic immunohistochemical staining
cover slip slides, ensuring that no air bubbles are formed and material is preserved for the life of the slide
label slides clearly with case, specimen and stain details
recognise problems in systems and documentation, and troubleshoot under direction and/or where appropriate
use the enterprise information system efficiently
critically analyse information in enterprise documents
prepare documentation that is accurate, concise and in accordance with enterprise requirements
manage tasks and organise work to ensure the timely completion of tasks
use samples, reagents and materials economically and disposes of wastes safely
use equipment safely
maintain equipment, recording and reporting malfunctions appropriately.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSL934002A Apply quality systems and continuous improvement processes.
Resources may include:
standard histology/laboratory with relevant equipment, samples and reagents
enterprise procedures, test methods and equipment manuals.
Under duty of care requirements, off-the-job training providers will only use samples and organisms of a risk category compatible with their laboratory as defined in AS/NZS 2243.3.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
inspection of stained tissue sections/slides prepared by the candidate
feedback from peers and supervisors
observation of candidate performing tests and procedures, such as:
preparation of microtome for cutting, cutting blemish free sections, successful flotation and pickup of section
staining tissues to demonstrate tissue structures and cell components as required
morphological identification of tissues, such as epithelial, muscle, central nervous and glandular
oral and/or written tests and paper problems associated with test methods and laboratory processes, such as equipment calibration and maintenance.
This competency in practice
Industry representatives have provided the case study below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting.
Biomedical
In preparation for cutting some sections, a technical officer followed standard procedures. This involved checking the flotation bath temperature, checking the surface of the bath for cleanliness, inserting the microtome knife and checking the angle of the knife. They referred to the worksheet to confirm the number of slides required per patient and then labelled slides accordingly. They then proceeded with section cutting, carefully observing the safety protocols. They ensured that as the sections were picked up from the flotation bath, the patient identification on the slides and the block matched. They then cleaned the surface of the bath to prevent cross-contamination of samples between patients. The technical officer's care and diligence in performing these procedures ensured that specimen integrity was maintained.
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
perform manual and automated histological tests and procedures
prepare, safely store and dispose of stains and reagents
cut paraffin embedded sections, free of wrinkles, scores and folds, at the specified thickness to demonstrate tissue and cellular structures, granules, inclusions and organelles,as required
cut and stain frozen sections at the specified thickness to demonstrate tissue and cellular structures and inclusions as required
stain paraffin embedded sections to demonstrate normal and abnormal tissue structure
perform specialised staining, for example, to demonstrate connective tissue, musclestriations, central nervous system, glands, basement membrane, micro-organisms, pigments and deposits
perform histochemical stains, for example to demonstrate carbohydrates, amyloid and mucins
perform specialised techniques, such as polarising microscopy, fluorescent staining and use of microwave ovens in histopathology
perform basic immunohistochemical staining
cover slip slides, ensuring that no air bubbles are formed and material is preserved for the life of the slide
label slides clearly with case, specimen and stain details
recognise problems in systems and documentation, and troubleshoot under direction and/or where appropriate
use the enterprise information system efficiently
critically analyse information in enterprise documents
prepare documentation that is accurate, concise and in accordance with enterprise requirements
manage tasks and organise work to ensure the timely completion of tasks
use samples, reagents and materials economically and disposes of wastes safely
use equipment safely
maintain equipment, recording and reporting malfunctions appropriately.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSL934002A Apply quality systems and continuous improvement processes.
Resources may include:
standard histology/laboratory with relevant equipment, samples and reagents
enterprise procedures, test methods and equipment manuals.
Under duty of care requirements, off-the-job training providers will only use samples and organisms of a risk category compatible with their laboratory as defined in AS/NZS 2243.3.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
inspection of stained tissue sections/slides prepared by the candidate
feedback from peers and supervisors
observation of candidate performing tests and procedures, such as:
preparation of microtome for cutting, cutting blemish free sections, successful flotation and pickup of section
staining tissues to demonstrate tissue structures and cell components as required
morphological identification of tissues, such as epithelial, muscle, central nervous and glandular
oral and/or written tests and paper problems associated with test methods and laboratory processes, such as equipment calibration and maintenance.
This competency in practice
Industry representatives have provided the case study below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting.
Biomedical
In preparation for cutting some sections, a technical officer followed standard procedures. This involved checking the flotation bath temperature, checking the surface of the bath for cleanliness, inserting the microtome knife and checking the angle of the knife. They referred to the worksheet to confirm the number of slides required per patient and then labelled slides accordingly. They then proceeded with section cutting, carefully observing the safety protocols. They ensured that as the sections were picked up from the flotation bath, the patient identification on the slides and the block matched. They then cleaned the surface of the bath to prevent cross-contamination of samples between patients. The technical officer's care and diligence in performing these procedures ensured that specimen integrity was maintained.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7691 | PMLTEST503B | Perform histological tests | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWN94 | MSL975003 | Perform histological tests | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W738 | MSL60109 | Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations | Qualification |
| W736 | MSL40109 | Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques | Qualification |
| W737 | MSL50109 | Diploma of Laboratory Technology | Qualification |
| J110 | HLT51912 | Diploma of Mortuary Theatre Practice | Qualification |
| J082 | HLT41812 | Certificate IV in Pathology | Qualification |