Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: BUSM8933C

Course Title: Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4433 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

Course Contact: Rauha Quazi

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4277

Course Contact Email: rauha.quazi@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Namrita Kadalbajoo

namrita.kadalbajoo@rmit.edu.au

Candice Lisboa candice.lisboa@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

Nil. 

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to use quality laboratory practice and effectively participate in quality improvement teams. Personnel are required to ensure the quality and integrity of their own work, detect non-conformances and work with others to suggest improvements in productivity and quality.

This unit of competency applies to laboratory technicians working in all industry sectors who contribute to quality improvements in areas or processes associated with their own job function and/or specialisation. In some industry sectors this unit of competency is relevant to experienced technical officers who may work individually or as part of a team.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

MSL934009 Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

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 monitor quality control data in accordance with quality system requirements

1.3 Recognise and report non-conformances or problems

Element:

2. Identify risks and/or opportunities for improvements

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Compare current work practices, procedures and process or equipment performance with requirements and other available information

2.2 Recognise variances that indicate abnormal or sub-optimal performance posing a risk to product, services or end users

2.3 Collect and/or evaluate information to determine possible causes for sub-optimal performance

2.4 Use quality improvement tools and techniques to rank the probabilities of possible causes

Element:

3. Recommend actions

Performance Criteria:


3.1 Analyse causes to predict likely impacts of changes and decide on 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 actions

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Implement approved actions and monitor performance following changes to evaluate results

4.2 Implement changes to eliminate possible causes that are within scope of own job role

4.3 Document outcomes of actions and communicate them to relevant personnel

Element:

5. Contribute to strategic improvements

Performance Criteria:


5.1 Assess the adequacy of current controls, quality methods and systems against work area quality objectives

5.2 Identify opportunities to continuously improve performance

5.3 Develop recommendations for continual improvements of work practices

5.4 Refine recommendations through consultation with appropriate personnel

5.5 Document outcomes of continuous improvement strategies and communicate them to relevant personnel

Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Students are expected to participate actively in all learning activities that include:
- discussion and application of concepts relevant to each topic by attempting class exercises
- discussion and application of how quality control is managed in a laboratory

- working independently or in groups in solving scenarios related to quality control in a laboratory
- working in groups to solve more challenging problems requiring interpretation and evaluation of results


Teaching Schedule

Apply Quality Systems & Continuous Improvement Processes
The classes for this course run 2 hours during the semester

 

WK

No

Week

starting

Topic

Comments

1

10 Feb

Introduction to quality and introduce Virtual Lab

 

2

17 Feb

Dealing with quality data, Plot graphs (bar chart, pie chart)

 

3

24 Feb

Dealing with quality data, Basic descriptive statistics

AT1 due

4

3 Mar

Dealing with Batch Data, Release AT2

 

 

5

10 Mar

Dealing with Batch Data/Discuss non-conformance and conformance

 

6

17 Mar

Root cause analysis/Control Charts and QC Tools

 

7

24 Mar

2nd attempt for AT1/Discuss any queries regarding AT2

AT2 due

8

31 Mar

Continuous improvement, Introduce Accreditation and Regulatory bodies

Internal and External Audits

 

 

9

7 Apr

Work on AT3

 

 

10

14 Apr

(Good Friday week)

Role of laboratory and workplace procedures

 

Mid semester Break: 18 – 25 April

 

11

28 Apr

Catch up week

AT3 due

 

12

5 May

Revision and prepare for AT4

 

13

12 May

2nd attempt for AT3

 

14

19 May

Complete AT4 in Class

AT4 due

15

26 May

Final Resubmissions

 

16

2 Jun

Catch ups

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: While all course content in this schedule will be covered, the weekly order may change depending on class needs.

Ϯ SYLLABUS subject to changing pending pandemic conditions and RMIT & government safety advise

*and four face to face sessions as detailed in syllabus/schedule


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Learning material provided on Canvas


References

A virtual lab resource available on Canvas.


Other Resources

Here are some useful resources to assist with your learning:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/study-support/consultations   


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include:

  • knowledge tests
  • practical skills test
  • practical logbooks
  • presentations
  • group work
  • research
  • lab reports
  • assignments

 


Assessment Tasks

To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher within given time-frame (usually within two weeks of assessment submission) of each assessment task. You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates

To successfully complete this course you need to be satisfactory in all of the following assessments(dates in syllabus)

  • Assessment Task 1
  • Assessment Task 2
  • Assessment Task 3
  • Assessment Task 4
For each assessment you will be given up to two (2) attempts, however, to be granted the second attempt at any assessment, your first attempt must be an appropriate attempt to try and gain a satisfactory outcome. For example, you must appropriately attempt each question or aspect of the assessment task. If your first attempt fails to meet the above standard, you may not be eligible for a second attempt at that task. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic  

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

CA:   Competency Achieved 
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
SEC: Student Engagement Ceased


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required

Other Information

Attendance:

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises.

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning

activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully

Information about your studies:

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment

dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students  

Extensions of time for submission of assessable work:

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days in writing (email) to your Program Coordinator one working day BEFORE the due date. Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/my-course/assessment-results/special-consideration-extensions

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration.

Special consideration:

If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g.test, examination, oral, etc.), you may submit an application for special consideration within 5 working days of the due date. If special consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application please visit Special Consideration Website

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/my-course/assessment-results/special-consideration-extensions/special-consideration

  or speak to your Program Coordinator.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: 

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning: 

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview