Course Title: Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: MIET6280C

Course Title: Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5282 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology)

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4309

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


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Namrita Kaul

Tel No: 99254309

namrita.kadalbajoo@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

Completion of 1st year courses

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:

MSL934002A Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

Element:

2. Analyse opportunities for corrective and/or optimisation action
 

Performance Criteria:

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

Element:

3. Recommend corrective and/or optimisation actions

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Analyse causes to predict likely impacts of changes and decide on the appropriate actions
3.2. Identify required changes to standards and procedures and training
3.3. Report recommendations to designated personnel

Element:

4. Participate in the implementation of recommended action(s)

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Implement approved actions and monitor performance following changes to evaluate results
4.2. Implement changes to systems and procedures to eliminate possible causes
4.3. Document outcomes of actions and communicate them to relevant personnel

Element:

5. Participate in the development of continuous improvement strategies
 

Performance Criteria:

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

Element:

 1. Satisfy quality system requirements in daily work

Performance Criteria:

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

Learning Outcomes


Outlined in the competencies


Details of Learning Activities

• Online learning material
• Online learning activities
• Online assessment tasks/quizzes
 

Class room activities/peer group learning through discussion board (myRMIT Studies)


Teaching Schedule

Date    
9th Feb, 16th Feb
 

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements:
AS ISO 17025-2005
General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
AS/NZS ISO 10005:2006 Quality Management Systems – guidelines for Quality plans
NATA
NHRMC Guidelines
AS/NZS ISO 10012:2004 Measurement management systems – requirements for measuring processes and equipment
TGA, GLP

Visit various websites:
complete activities, checklists based on conducting and completing research in these websites
 

  

23 Feb and 2nd Mar

 NATA and its responsibility in
Accreditation of laboratories, inspection bodies, calibration services, producers of certified reference materials and proficiency testing scheme providers throughout Australia. It is also Australia’s compliance monitoring authority for the OECD Principles of GLP.
Using checklists to monitor job progress against time, cost and quality standards
Use of inspection and test plans to check compliance

Understanding NATA, TGA and OECD, their role in labs in australia 

  
9th Mar

 

 

 Basic Descriptive Stats,
Sampling procedures
Review of basic stats
Complete activities based on basic stats
Sampling procedures
 		  

16th Mar, 23rd Mar

 Root Cause Analysis
Implementing preventive strategies
Identifying and rectifying a problem

 		  

 13th Apr
20th Apr
27th Apr
 

 Histograms, Scatterplot, control charts, Ishikawa diagram, Pareto Chart,  
4th May Sustainable energy principles
 		  
11th May
18th May
25th May		 Data entry, brief reports, maintaining communication/line of communication within the organisation and outside organisation
 		  
1st June Revision  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Online resources will be provided during the semester


References

Class room handouts and online resources will be provided throughout the semester.


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course may include assignments and project work


Assessment Tasks

 

 

Task 1
Quiz 1 23rd Feb, In- class:  Using websites to understand how to follow enterprise procedures for documenting and reporting information about quality
Quiz 2 16th Mar, In- class: Role of laboratory services, Quality control procedures including standards imposed by regulatory and licensing bodies
Quiz 3 18th May, In- class: Conducting Statistical Analysis including Minitab assessment
To be satisfactory in Task 1, you are required to successfully complete all the three quizzes.


Task 2
Thread 1  Released on 16th Feb  Due by 23rd Feb - Based on:  Various Organisations and their role in maintaining Quality in labs
Thread 2  Released on 2nd March Due by 6th March - Based on: To analyse opportunities for Corrective and/or optimisation action
Thread 3  Released on 20th April  Due by 24th April - Based on Recommend corrective action and or optimisation actions
Thread 4  Released on 4th May Due by 7th May - Based on - Participate in the development of continuous improvement strategies
Project: Released on 16th March for In class presentation on 18th - Based on: Work in accordance with sustainable energy work practices and promote sustainable energy principles an work practices to other workers
To be satisfactory in Task 2, you are required to participate successfully in all the four Discussion Forums and the Project

Task 3 End Semester Exam 

Task 1: 30%, Task 2(Discussion Board): 20%, Project: 20%, End semester exam: 30%


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Assessment Information

  • All assessment types must be passed (exams, prac, and assignments etc.). For example, if there are two tests you need to have an average of 50% to pass. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (e.g. pass the tests but fail the prac component).
  • Attendance at practical classes is compulsory. A minimum of 80% attendance is required to pass this course. If you are sick you should submit a medical certificate to 6th floor office addressed to the Program Coordinator
  • Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected.
  • APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK- A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51, or emailed to the Coordinator (amber.mitton@rmit.edu.au).
  • Students requiring extensions longer than 7 days must apply for Special Consideration (see the ‘Help me’ link in blackboard, via myRMIT studies or http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration) For missed assessments such as exams - you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.
  • If you miss an assessment task due to unavoidable circumstances, you need to follow the procedure of special consideration and apply within the allowed time frame.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview