Course Title: Perform chemical pathology tests

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: ONPS5667C

Course Title: Perform chemical pathology tests

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

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

Course Contact: Amberlee Mitton

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5053

Course Contact Email: amber.mitton@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Brian Long - can be contacted by email at brian.long@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 130

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

Students must have successfully completed the following courses
Perform Chemical tests & procudeures,
Perform biological procedures
Prepare & standardise solutions

Course Description

This unit of competency covers the ability to perform tests and procedures associated with the detection and monitoring of tissue and bodily fluid responses to normal physiological processes and disease through the identification and quantifying of chemical components. It covers tests and procedures that are usually associated with the discipline of clinical biochemistry


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

MSL975004A Perform chemical pathology tests

Element:

1. Process samples and associated request forms

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Ensure sample labels and request forms are correctly completed in accordance with enterprise requirements

1.2. Return samples and request forms that do not comply with requirements to their source with reasons for non-acceptance

1.3. Log acceptable samples, applying required document tracking mechanisms

1.4. Process samples as required by test procedure and request status

1.5. Store sample components under optimal conditions until required for testing
 

Element:

2.Perform tests

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Select authorised tests indicated for the requested investigations

2.2. Conduct individual tests, or batches of tests, according to documented methodologies, applying required quality control procedures

2.3. Manage tasks and organise work to ensure efficient use of time

2.4. Flag test results that are outside accepted quality control limits

2.5. Apply cognitive and technical processes to discriminate between significant data and artefact

2.6. Confirm with supervisor any further testing requirements

2.7. Record all test data, noting any phenomena that may be relevant to the treatment of data or the interpretation of results

2.8. Store unused sample for possible future reference
 

Element:

3.Maintain a safe work area and environment

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel

3.2. Clean up spills using appropriate techniques to protect personnel, work area and environment

3.3. Identify instrument malfunction that may impact on safe operation

3.4. Ensure the safe disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes in accordance with enterprise procedures
 

Element:

4.Maintain laboratory records

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Make entries on report forms or into computer systems, accurately calculating, recording or transcribing required data

4.2. Maintain instrument logs as required by accreditation checklists

4.3. Maintain security and confidentiality of all clinical information, laboratory data and records
 


Learning Outcomes


This is a competency based course


Details of Learning Activities

Lectures
Workshops
Quizzes
Groupwork
Group assignments
Talks
Powerpoint presentations
Computer assignments
Lab Experiments
Report writing


Teaching Schedule

SEMESTER 1, 2014

Week 1
Date (Fri) 14-Feb

Topic
Introduction to Clinical chemistry, objectives, analytical variables, Quality Assurance

Practical
Levey Jennings QC Plots

Assessment Task(s) This Week
Assignment – QC
 

Week 2
Date (Fri) 21-Feb

 Rm 51.8.10 

Topic
Electrolytes  & Water Balance

Practical
1. Diffusion of glucose & starch across a dialysis membrane

2. Blood cells in hypertonic, hypotonic & isotonic saline


Assessment Task(s) This Week
Logbook


Week 3
Date (Fri) 28-Feb
in Rm 51.8.10

Topic
Kidneys, Urine analysis

Practical
1. Blood urea
2 Creatinine 
3. Urine stix


Assessment Task(s) This Week
Logbook

Week 4
Date (Fri) 7-Mar
51.08.10

Topic Liver function 1

Practical
1. BCG Albumin; Limitations to Beer’s Law
2. Billirubin Assay; First determine the endpoint.


Assessment Task(s) This Week
Prac Report


Week 5
Date (Fri) 5Mar

Cholesterol HDL:LDL

Practical
Serum cholesterol

Calculate HDL:LDL ratio

Assessment Task(s) This Week
Logbook

Week 6
Date (Fri) 21 Mar

Topic 
Lipids II

Practical 
Lipid Electrophoresis

Assessment Task(s) This Week
Logbook


Week 7
Date (Fri) 28 Mar

Revision



Week 8
Date (Fri) 3-Apr
Theory Test 1


Week 9
Date (Fri) 11 Apr
Topic

1. Iron Studies: Interpreting Results

2. Haemoglobin Electrophoresis

Assessment tasks

Logbook


Week 11 (Fri) 2 May

Topic

Automation, POCT

Assessment Tasks

Special POCT logbook



 

Week 12
Date (Fri) 9-May
Topic 
Automation POCT 




Assessment Task(s) This Week
Special POCT Logbook


Week 12
Date (Fri) 9-May

Topic 
Automation and POCT 

Practical
Operating CDx90 and Bloodgas Analyser

Assessment Task(s) This Week
Special Logbook and Checklist


Week 13
Date (Fri) 16-May

Topic
Liver Function Tests and Protein Electrophoresis

Practical
Protein estimation using Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

Assessment Task.
Logbook 
 

Week 14
Date (Fri) 23-May
Topic
Liver II: Serum proteins

Practical  
Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) 

Assessment Task(s) This Week
Logbook


Week 15
Date (Fri) 30-May
Revision


Week 16
Date (Fri) 6-Jun
Theory Test 2
Submit Logbooks


Week 18
Date (Fri) 13-Jun
Alternative assessments if required


** TBC – To be confirmed
Program is subject to change


 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

a) Gaw, M. Murphy, R. Cowan, D. O'Reilly, M. Stewart, J. Shepard. (2008) Clinical Biochemistry, An illustrated
colour text, 4th edition. Churchill Livingstone (Elsevier), Sydney, ISBN 9780443069321. (The 3rd ed is also
ok)

9780443069321

b) Upfal and O'Callaghan (2001) Your Medical Tests. Every person's guide to common medical tests and
diagnostic images. Black Inc. Melbourne ISBN 1-86395-075-3 Can be purchased direct from the author at a
discount rate, this will be organised early in the year.

1-86395-075-3


References

A very nice simple text that explains lots of lab techniques. especially electrophoresis and chromatography
techniques and other techniques including enzyme kinetics, spectrophotometry and molecular diagnostics.
Boyer R. (2006) Biochemistry Laboratory Modern Theory and Techniques, Benjamin Cummings - Available
in the library: Call No. 572.078 B791

A useful reference for in depth study:
Kaplan, Lawrence A., Pesce, Amadeo J. & Kazmierczak, Steven C. (2003)
Clinical chemistry: theory, analysis, correlation, 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo, Mosby


Other Resources

Logbook  required
A logbook is required for this course to record all experimental details. The logbook must be brought to class
each week and signed off by the teacher.
The book needs to be a bound NON-SPIRAL exercise book.
 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course may include tests, quizzes, assignments and practical assessments


Assessment Tasks

All assessment tasks must be passed to pass the learning unit.

Assessment Tasks

Assignment 1 – QC
Sem 1, week 1
Due- Sem 1, week 1
Value: 10 %

Assignment 2- Bilirubin and Albumin
Sem 1, week 5
Due-Sem 1, week 7
Value 10%

Theory Test 1
Sem 1, week 9
Value: 15%


Theory Test 2
Sem 1, week 17
Value: 15%

Theory Test 3
sem 2, week 8
Value: 15%


Group powerpoint presentation
A week in Sem 2
Value: 20%


Theory Test 4
sem 2, week 16
Value: 15% 



Logbook
due- sem 2, week 16
competent/not yet competent
 

Special Logbook: Automation and POCT With Checklist
Competent/Not Yet Competent

Total: 100%

*Students must attend at least 80 % of practical classes to pass the course.
*Students must pass all of the assessment tasks to pass the Learning Unit.

*All prac reports must be satisfactory to pass the subject. If they are not satisfactory, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit.

***Reports need to be handed in at the Department Office on the 6th Floor. A cover sheet must be
attached. Alternatively, reports can be submitted online via the Assignments submission tool in Blackboard (found in the folder of the week the assignment/report is given).
Assignments will not be accepted by email.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Logbook
Results from each practical need to be recorded in your logbook. This is an important aspect of
developing your record keeping skills. Only some pracs also require a practical report to be submitted.
SPIRAL bound books ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Your logbook must be signed off after completion each week by both the student AND the teacher.
The teacher will also signoff your logbook on the class sheet as a central record.

The central record is the evidence record that is required to show that your logbook has been signed off by you, the student, and the teacher.

Logbooks are to be submitted at the end of semester 2 (hand in at the theory exam).

IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THEIR WORK SIGNED OFF EVERY WEEK.
(If you miss the class you do not need to get the sheet signed off – the teacher will record this as an absence).
YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED NYC* FOR THAT WEEK UNTIL THE CENTRAL RECORD IS SIGNED OFF or
YOU ARE MARKED ABSENT.

*NYC = not yet competent

When is a prac performance considered "competent’ (ie when can a logbook be signed off)?
Logbooks will only be signed off when the student has followed and completed a method adequately, and is
therefore considered competent for that experiment.

This is evidenced by:

1. Show date of analysis/results at top of page at start of experimental record in logbook,
2. Attach loose pages to logbook securely (use tape or staples),
3. Include raw and analysed results in logbook as appropriate to particular method (see lab manual)
4. Results considered in context of expected results by answering Questions 1-4 in logbook*
5. Clean up lab work area and equipment adequately
6. Student signed off logbook entry once record of results are completed and clean up done
 

  • To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (exam, prac reports, 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 are absent for a practical that is to be written up a medical certificate or other documentation must be provided. In this case another practical exercise needs to be written up – as negotiated with the teacher. If you are absent when the assessment is to be written up but do not / cannot apply for special consideration, you cannot do a replacement assessment.

Class attendance
Students must attend at least 80% of classes to pass the course.

Group powerpoint presentation is also used to assess another Unit of Competency:
  FNSICGEN501B: Produce research reports and make presentations

Course Overview: Access Course Overview