Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables (Range Statement) 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.
Data may be recorded on worksheets or entered into spreadsheets or databases linked to information management systems.

Data includes the results of
observations
tests and measurements
surveys.

Data may be presented in the form of
graphs
tables
control charts.
Data could also take the form of semi-quantitative observations and be expressed on a scale (for example, 1 to 4 or + to ++++).

Calculations may be performed with or without a calculator or computer software. For example, calculated scientific quantities could include
percentages, fractions, decimals
conversions between SI units
areas (m 2) and volumes (mL, L, m 3) of regular shapes (for example, packaging, moulds)
average mass, mass %, density, specific gravity, moisture, relative and absolute humidity
ratios, such as, mass to mass, mass to volume and volume to volume percentages
industry specific ratios, such as g/cm 2 , kg/m 2
concentration (for example, g/100mL, mg/L, mg/micro-L, dilution mL/L)
average count, colonies per swab surface, cell counts (live and dead/total)
process variables, such as, pressure, velocity, flow rates
% content of moisture, ash, fat, protein, alcohol, sulphur dioxide, trace metals, such as calcium or zinc
food properties, such as % concentration (dry), friability, bitterness, brix, free amino nitrogen, diastatic power, calorific content and yeast viability.

Obvious features and trends in data could include
maximum, minimum values
spread of data
increasing/decreasing data, rate of change
outliers, data beyond control limits or normal range.

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:

codes, records and checks data accurately
calculates scientific quantities relevant to their work and presents accurate results in the required format
recognises obvious trends in data
maintains the confidentiality of data in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements.

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:

procedures for coding, entering, storing, retrieving and communicating data
procedures for verifying data and rectifying mistakes
procedures for maintaining and filing records, security of data
relevant scientific and technical terminology, such as- precision, accuracy, units, 'out of control'.

Competency also includes the ability to perform calculations involving:

decimals, ratios, proportions and percent
calculation of perimeters, areas, volumes, angles
calculation of scientific quantities, such as concentration
unit conversion, multiples and submultiples
use of significant figures, rounding off, estimation, approximation
substitution of data in formulae
preparation and interpretation of straightforward process control charts.

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 data work sheets, calculations, graphs and tables, prepared by the candidate
review of records transcribed, maintained or stored by the candidate
feedback from supervisors and peers
observation of the candidate as they record data and perform calculations
questions to assess understanding of relevant procedures and trends in data.
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 may be assessed with technical units, such as:

PMLTEST300B Perform basic tests
PMLTEST308A Perform microscopic examination
PMLTEST303B Prepare working solutions.

Resource implications

Resources may include:

data sets and records
computer and relevant software or laboratory information system
relevant enterprise procedures.

This competency in practice
A laboratory assistant is given 20 soil samples and asked to test their moisture content by weighing each sample, placing them in an oven for 24 hours and then reweighing them. The assistant performs the tests in accordance with the standard method and then calculates the % water content by dividing the weight loss by the wet weight and multiplying by 100. He/she checks the results. After entering them into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), they notice that they are consistently less than the previous results recorded for soils at the same site. The assistant reports the discrepancy to the supervisor who checks whether the oven was operated at the required temperature. The supervisor then discovers that the assistant has calculated the moisture content by dividing the weight loss by the wet weight instead of the dry weight. The assistant recalculates the moisture content for the 20 samples and notes that the results are now consistent with previous results.
On Friday, a laboratory assistant performs the routine set of temperature, pressure and humidity measurements at 10 sites in a refinery. They enter the data on a pre-prepared data sheet that also contains the data recorded for the previous days of that week. The assistant checks the data for any significant variations to that recorded previously. They notice that for site #5, the temperature reading is 250? C which is 100? C below the expected value. The assistant repeats the measurement and gets the same result. After returning to the laboratory, the assistant enters the data into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and reports the odd result to their supervisor. The supervisor contacts the site manager and finds out that the pipeline at site #5 has been isolated as part of unscheduled maintenance in that part of the site.

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
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(1)

Planning and organising activities
(1)

Working with others and in teams
(1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(1)

Using technology
(1)