Course Title: Perform histological procedures

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2013

Course Code: ONPS5669C

Course Title: Perform histological procedures

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 8053

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


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Asmaa Hasanein

asmaa.hasanein@rmit.edu.au

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

None

Course Description

This unit of competency covers the ability to perform straightforward histological procedures involving processing and sectioning (by hand or rotary microtome) of plant and animal tissues in paraffin wax.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

MSL973008A Perform histological procedures

Element:

1. Assemble equipment and materials
1.1. Confirm the number and type of sections required
1.2. Collect equipment and arrange the workspace so that equipment can be used safely and efficiently
1.3. Perform pre-use and safety checks to ensure equipment is fit for purpose
1.4. Report faulty or unsafe equipment to appropriate personnel
1.5. Inspect processor reagents for deterioration and adequate volume and report any items requiring replacement
 

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Confirm the number and type of sections required
1.2. Collect equipment and arrange the workspace so that equipment can be used safely and efficiently
1.3. Perform pre-use and safety checks to ensure equipment is fit for purpose
1.4. Report faulty or unsafe equipment to appropriate personnel
1.5. Inspect processor reagents for deterioration and adequate volume and report any items requiring replacement

 

Element:

2. Process and embed plant and animal tissue
2.1. Select program and reagents for processing
2.2. Monitor processor regularly during processing sequence to ensure dehydration, clearing and infiltration are complete
2.3. Check that temperature of wax is suitable for embedding process
2.4. Check that volume of wax is sufficient for uninterrupted embedding of processor load
2.5. Embed tissue in correct orientation
2.6. Allow block to solidify evenly according to wax requirements
 

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Select program and reagents for processing
2.2. Monitor processor regularly during processing sequence to ensure dehydration, clearing and infiltration are complete
2.3. Check that temperature of wax is suitable for embedding process
2.4. Check that volume of wax is sufficient for uninterrupted embedding of processor load
2.5. Embed tissue in correct orientation
2.6. Allow block to solidify evenly according to wax requirements

 

Element:

3. Cut sections of plant and animal tissue
3.1. Place and secure block and knife in microtome strictly in accordance with safety directions
3.2. Label required number of microscope slides in accordance with enterprise traceability requirements
3.3. Cut ribbons of representative sections at the required thickness observing prescribed safety measures
3.4. Float sections onto water bath to flatten tissues
3.5. Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring identification on slides matches that on block
3.6. Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between samples
3.7. Cut free hand sections of plant tissue as required
3.8. Inspect sections and reject items that do not meet specifications
 

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Place and secure block and knife in microtome strictly in accordance with safety directions
3.2. Label required number of microscope slides in accordance with enterprise traceability requirements
3.3. Cut ribbons of representative sections at the required thickness observing prescribed safety measures
3.4. Float sections onto water bath to flatten tissues
3.5. Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring identification on slides matches that on block
3.6. Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between samples
3.7. Cut free hand sections of plant tissue as required
3.8. Inspect sections and reject items that do not meet specifications

 

Element:

4. Stain sections
4.1. Select reagents specified in the method
4.2. Stain sections according to the method
4.3. Examine sections microscopically to ensure expected staining outcomes have been achieved
4.4. Mount sections to ensure long term preservation
4.5. Attach permanent labels giving specimen details according to enterprise traceability requirements

 

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Select reagents specified in the method
4.2. Stain sections according to the method
4.3. Examine sections microscopically to ensure expected staining outcomes have been achieved
4.4. Mount sections to ensure long term preservation
4.5. Attach permanent labels giving specimen details according to enterprise traceability requirements

Element:

5. Maintain a safe work environment
5.1. Ensure personal safety and minimise cross-contamination through the use of personal protective equipment
5.2. Handle all specimens and equipment in accordance with enterprise safety protocols/procedures
5.3. Clean up spills using appropriate techniques to protect personnel, work area and environment
5.4. Minimise generation of waste and environmental impacts
5.5. Collect and dispose of all wastes safely
5.6. Report hazards and incidents to designated personnel using enterprise procedures
 

Performance Criteria:

5.1. Ensure personal safety and minimise cross-contamination through the use of personal protective equipment
5.2. Handle all specimens and equipment in accordance with enterprise safety protocols/procedures
5.3. Clean up spills using appropriate techniques to protect personnel, work area and environment
5.4. Minimise generation of waste and environmental impacts
5.5. Collect and dispose of all wastes safely
5.6. Report hazards and incidents to designated personnel using enterprise procedures

Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

learning activities will include laboratory sessions, worksheets, class discussions and online activities


Teaching Schedule

DATE LECTURE TOPIC

08.07.2013 1 Preparation of Tissue for Microscopical Study
15.07.2013 2 Fixation and Decalcification
22.07.2013 3 Tissue Processing and Embedding
29.07.2013 4 Microtomy and Cryotomy
05.08.2013 5 Introduction to Staining
12.08.2013 6 Collagen Staining
19.08.2013 7 Revision

26.08.2013 THEORY EXAM : Lectures 1 – 5

02.09.2013 9 Elastic Tissue Staining
09.09.2013 10 Silver Staining
16.09.2013 11 Carbohydrate Staining

23.09.2013
STUDENT VACATION

30.09.2013 12 Mucins
07.10.2013 13 Pigments
14.10.2013 14 Fibrin and Microorganisms
21.10.2013 15 Revision

28.10.2013 THEORY EXAM: Lectures 6 – 13
PRACTICAL EXAM: Lessons 1 – 13

04.11.2013 SUPPLEMENTARY EXAM WEEK


 

DateLectureTopic
08.07.2013 1 Preparation of Tissue for Microscopical Study
15.07.2013 2

Fixation and Decalcification
 
22.07.2013 3 Tissue Processing and Embedding
29.07.2013 4 Microtomy and Cryotomy
05.08.2013 5 Introduction to Staining
12.08.2013 6 Collagen Staining
19.08.2013 7 Revision
26.08.2013   THEORY EXAM : Lectures 1 – 5
02.09.2013 9 Elastic Tissue Staining
09.09.2013 10 Silver Staining
16.09.2013  11 Carbohydrate Staining
23.09.2013   STUDENT VACATION
30.09.2013  12 Mucins
07.10.2013 13 Pigments
14.10.2013 14 Fibrin and Microorganisms
21.10.2013 15   Revision
28.10.2013   THEORY EXAM: Lectures 6 – 13
PRACTICAL EXAM: Lessons 1 – 13


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessments for this course typically consist of:

  • Class activities
  • Assignments
  • Presentations
  • Tests
  • practical skills assessment
     


Assessment Tasks

1. Term 1 Theory Exam 25%
2. Term 2 Theory Exam 25%
3. Term 2 Prac Exam 20%
4. Prac Write Up 10%
5. Practical: Staining 20% (2.5 Marks each stain)
 


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Assessment Information

• 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 (eg pass the tests but fail the prac reports).

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

• 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.

• In order to be successful in this module, you have to achieve a pass in all of the above assessment tasks. 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