Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2024

Course Code: ONPS7804C

Course Title: Perform techniques that prevent cross-contamination

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

Nominal Hours: 40

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 perform techniques that prevent cross-contamination to maintain the integrity of both the sample source, and the sample and protect people and the environment. It applies to sampling techniques in tissue culture, generic microbiological, molecular and chemical procedures.

This unit of competency applies to laboratory assistants and technicians working in the field or laboratory in the biomedical, biological, food processing and environmental industry sectors.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	MSL973027 Perform techniques that prevent cross-contamination
Element:	1. Prepare for sampling or transfer
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Check the sampling procedure conforms with the required sampling plan 1.2 Use specified personal protective equipment (PPE) 1.3 Prepare the work area for safe and effective sample workflows 1.4 Select equipment and materials specified by the procedure 1.5 Organise equipment to minimise contamination during manipulations 1.6 Label containers for clear identification 1.7 Record details in relevant log or database 1.8 Macroscopically assess media and/or reagents to confirm integrity before use
Element:	2. Transfer materials
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Protect the integrity of the sample source 2.2 Perform transfer while minimising opportunities for contamination and/or cross-infection 2.3 Protect the integrity of the sample source and destination after transfer, and before sealing the transport or culture vessel 2.4 Perform quality control checks to confirm contaminate-free transfer was successful 2.5 Label transport or culture vessels for clear identification
Element:	3. Maintain work area and equipment to prevent cross-infection and contamination
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Place disposable and reusable items into relevant receptacles 3.2 Clean, disinfect and/or sterilise work area and equipment after use 3.3 Transport disposable and reusable contaminated materials to relevant areas for disinfection, sterilisation and cleaning or disposal 3.4 Follow personal hygiene procedures

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities include interactive online classes, practical laboratory exercises, and individual study

Teaching Schedule

WeekDateTopicAssessment / Learning activities

Week 1	23/09/2024	Intro to aseptic technique Samples for testing Waste disposal	A1: 1. Introduction to equipment and aseptic technique 2.Handwashing Prac
Week 2	30/09/2024	Culture technique: lawn Sterilisation & autoclaves Bacterial growth	A2:  1. Review results of Week 1 Prac. 2. Using loop 3.  Prepare lawn culture 4. Aseptic transfer
Week 3	07/10/2024	Media Culture technique: streak for single colonie	A3 1. Review results of Week 2 Prac. 1.Making media 2. Pouring plates
Week 4	14/10/2024	Disinfection Cross-contamination	A4 1. Review results of Week 3 Prac 2. Streak for single colonies 3. Environmental swab
Week 5	21/10/2024	Gram staining  Reading plates	A5 1. Review results of Week 4 Prac 2.Antibiotic susceptibility
Week 6	28/10/2024	Antibiotic susceptibility Biosafety cabinets Revision exercises to prepare for Knowledge Test	A6 1. Review results of Week5 Prac 2. Streak for pure culture 3. Describe colonies on media 4. Assessment practice: A4
Week 7	04/11/2024	AT3 Knowledge Assessment	Review Results of Week 6 Prac AT2 Lab assessment: required to attend campus on 2 separate days 1. set-up, 04/11/24 2. read results, 06/11/24 Note: Public Holiday Tuesday 05/11/24.
Week 8 & 9		AT3 Knowledge assessment (second attempt, not automatic)	Catch up class

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include:

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

 

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Practical
AT1 Lab skills and logbook

Record of laboratory results (practical lab )
Due: Submitted weekly; Last date for corrections is final week of course (See Canvas Syllabus)

Assessment Task 2: Practical Assessment
Observed performance of laboratory tasks

Date: Week 16 (See Canvas Syllabus)

Record of laboratory results (practical lab and online work)
Due: Submitted weekly; Last date for corrections is final week of course (See Canvas Syllabus)

Assessment Task 3: Knowledge
AT3 Theory test Date: Week 16 (See Canvas Syllabus)

     To successfully complete the course, you need to achieve a satisfactory result for every assessment task.    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. 

Assessment Matrix

Other Information

This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment

CA Competency Achieved  
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

To pass the course you need achieve a satisfactory result for all assessments. Students may be given additional opportunities to demonstrate competence. 

Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) 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 (https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-results/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application should be emailed to the program Coordinator (rauha.quazi@rmit.edu.au). Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION (see below).

• For missed assessments such as tests- you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence prior to, or within, 5 days of the scheduled time of the assessment (https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-results/special-consideration)

•  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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview