Course Title: Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

Course Code: MIET6280C

Course Title: Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5283 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Pathology Testing)

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:

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
 

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 actions
 

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
 

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    
7th July
 		 Introduction, Meaning of quality, Basics of quality and quality system
Meaning of QA, QC and QM and role of Quality in a Laboratory
 		  

14th July 

 Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Various organisations and their roles in managing quality in a laboratory

 		  
21st July 

 

 

 Safety in a laboratory, QC procedures, measurements and parameters, accuracy and precision, bias, range of acceptance and environmental management requirements  

28th July 

 Document and data control in a laboratory
Sustainable energy principles and work practices

 		  
4th August

 

 QC and Non-conformance, Budgeting and Stock control  
11th August Audits – Internal and External
Problem Solving Techniques in a laboratory setting
 		  
18th August  Review of Basic Statistics, QC tools, Introduction to Control Charts
 		  
25th August Mid Sem Exams  
1st Sept  Statistics in QC, Levey-Jennings Charts  
8th Sept Reporting and Problem solving techniques.  
15th Sept

More on Control Charts
X-bar Charts, R-Charts
 

  
22nd Sept  Student Vacation
 		  
29th Sept  Continue with (Xbar, Rcharts)  
6th Oct  Cusum Charts, QC Tools, Moving Average and Range Charts  
13th Oct
 		 Ishikawa Charts and Pareto Charts, PDCA cycle  
20th Oct
 		 Definitions/Terminology used in QC
Staff management, Ethics and Legalities
Revision Week
 		  
27th Oct  Exam week  


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

The participant must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.

Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, in class exercises, quizzes, and presentations. Participants are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
 


Assessment Tasks

To successfully complete this module,  you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (tests, reports, assignments)

Participation and successful completion of:

 Discussion Forum/online quiz/Presentation

Discussion Forum: 10%

Online Quizes 20% (Total of 2)

Presentation:10%

Minitab Assessment 10%

Mid Sem Exam 25%

End Sem Exam 25%


 


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

• To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (exam, discussion forums, and assignments etc.). For example, if there are two tests you need to have an average of 50% to pass. But you also need to have passed the other assessments as well. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (e.g. pass the tests but fail the prac reports).

• 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 on the web http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf ) at least the day before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for Special Consideration (form available on the Web). 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 at the HUB or online with supporting evidence (eg medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.

• Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected

• 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