Course Title: Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

Course Code: MIET5797C

Course Title: Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5182 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Pathology Testing)

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: (03) 9925 4309

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Namrita Kaul
Tel: 9925 4309
namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

This unit of competency has no prerequisites.

Course Description

This unit of competency covers the exercise of good laboratory practice and effective participation in quality improvement teams. Personnel are required to ensure the quality and integrity of their own work and detect non-conformances and work with others to suggest improvements in productivity and quality.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

PMLQUAL401B Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

Element:

Analyse opportunities for corrective and/or optimisation action

Performance Criteria:


1. Compare current work practices, procedures and process or equipment
performance with requirements and/or historical data or records
2. Recognise variances that indicate abnormal or sub-optimal performance
3. Collect and/or evaluate batch and/or historical records to determine
possible causes for sub-optimal performance
4. Use appropriate quality improvement techniques to rank the probabilities of possible causes

Element:

Participate in the implementation of recommended action(s)

Performance Criteria:

The element is:

5. Participate in the development of continuous improvement strategies

1. Review all relevant features of work practice to identify possible contributing factors leading to sub-optimal performance
2. Identify options for removing or controlling the risk of sub-optimal performance
3. Assess the adequacy of current controls, quality methods and systems
4. Identify opportunities to continuously improve performance
5. Develop recommendations for continual improvements of work practices, methods, procedures and equipment effectiveness
6. Consult with appropriate personnel to refine recommendations before implementation of approved improvement strategies
7. Document outcomes of strategies and communicate them to relevant personnel

Element:

Recommend corrective and/or optimisation actions

Performance Criteria:

1. Analyse cause(s) to predict likely impacts of change(s) and decide on the appropriate action(s)
2. Identify required change(s) to standards and procedures and training
3. Report recommendations to designated personnel

Element:

Satisfy quality system requirements in daily work

Performance Criteria:

1. Access information on quality system requirements for own job function
2. Record and report quality control data in accordance with quality system
3. Follow quality control procedures to ensure products, or data, are of a defined quality as an aid to acceptance or rejection
4. Recognise and report non-conformances or problems
5. Conduct work in accordance with sustainable energy work practices
6. Promote sustainable energy principles and work practices to other workers

Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Online learning activities, online quizzes/assessment tasks, lectures, class activities, group work and peer learning.


Teaching Schedule

Date                Week No          Topic                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
 7th Feb 1 Introduction, Meaning of quality, Basics of quality and quality system
Meaning of QA, QC and QM and role of Quality in a Laboratory
14th Feb
 2 Continue with previous week and
Various organisations and their roles in managing quality in a laboratory
21st Feb
 3 Safety in a laboratory, QC procedures, measurements and parameters, accuracy and precision, bias, range of acceptance
28th Feb
 4 Document and data control in a laboratory
7th Mar
 5 QC and Non-conformance, Budgeting and Stock control
14th Mar
 6 Audits – Internal and External
21st Mar
 7 Review of Basic Statistics, QC tools
28th Mar 8 Introduction to Control Charts, Mid sem revision
4th Apr
 9 Mid sem Exam
11th Apr
 10 Statistics in QC, Levey-Jennings Charts, More on control charts
18th Apr
 11 X-bar Charts, R-Charts
25th Apr
 12 Student Vacation
2nd May
 13  Cusum Charts, QC Tools, Moving Average and Range Charts
9th May
 14 Susum charts, QC tools, Moving Average and Range charts 
16th May
 15 Ishikawa charts, Pareto Charts and PDCA Cycle
23rd May
 16 Definitions/Terminology used in QC
30th May
 17 Staff Management, Ethics and Legalities
Revision Week
6th June
 18 Exam Week
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed text as handouts will be provided throughout the semester.


References


Other Resources

Handouts/Notes on Learning Hub


Overview of Assessment

Assessments for this course typically consist of:
• Class activities
• Assignments
• Presentations
• Exam


Assessment Tasks

To pass this course you must pass all summative assessment tasks

Formative Assessment:

(ungraded activities)

Online Worksheets/Quizzes during the class
Group Activities

Summative Assessment:

1. Two theory exams : 70%

2. Online worksheets/quizzes/assignments: 25%

3. Participation in Online Forums/Discussions: 5%


Assessment Matrix

  Satisfy quality system requirements in daily work Analyse opportunities for corrective and/or optimisation action Recommend corrective and/or optimisation Participate in the implementation of recommended action(s) Participate in the development of
continuous improvement strategies

Task 1

Understanding the basics of Quality
5%

       

Task 2

 Understanding QC in a medical laboratory
5%

       

Task 3

Mid Sem Exam
30%

       

Task 4

Understanding Audit
5%

         

Task 5

Control Charts
10%

         

Task 6

End of Sem Exam
40%

     
Participation in Discussion Forums(ongoing) 5%

Other Information

Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentation. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited.
It also occurs through enabling plagiarism, which is the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work. Please make sure you consider this carefully in completing all your work and assessments in this course and if you are unsure about whether you might have plagiarised, seek help from your teacher.


Students must attend 80% of practical classes to pass. Practical exercises will be chosen for presentation as formal reports. If they are not satisfactory, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit. If you are absent from a session nominated for a formal report and you have applied for special consideration, it is your responsibility to negotiate a replacement report with the teacher. You MUST submit the number of required reports in order to pass the subject.

Students are required to submit work on the due date at the School Office using the cover sheets provided. The work will be accepted through the School Office and you will receive a receipt which you should keep as proof of submission. Students must NOT submit work directly to the teacher.
Late submission of work will incur a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark per day unless Special Consideration is applied for in writing using the required form. Marks can be deducted until the minimum pass mark is reached, after which no further marks will be deducted. Work will not be accepted more than 1 week after the due date.
Any student who, because of illness or other circumstances beyond their control, has been prevented from attending a test, or whose performance in a test was affected by illness or other circumstances beyond their control may apply for Special Consideration. This must be done within 48 hours of the missed assessment/ assignment by lodging the appropriate form (available at the 6th floor office) with medical certificate or other supporting documentation at the Reception Office on Level 6, Building 51. Note: It is the policy of the School of Life and Physical Sciences NOT to AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTARY OR DEFERRED EXAMS. You will be advised of the outcome of your application for Special Consideration. The taking of Annual Leave does NOT constitute grounds for special consideration.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview