Course Title: Perform haematological tests
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2023
Course Code: BIOL5248C
Course Title: Perform haematological tests
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
School: 535T Social Care and Health
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5388 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology
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
Course Coordinator (teacher)
Andrea McAdam
andrea.mcadam@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
MSL973019 Perform microscopic examination
Course Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to determine levels, function, activity and interactions of cellular and plasma components of blood using tests and procedures identified with the discipline of laboratory haematology.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MSL975036 Perform haematological tests |
Element: |
1. Process samples and associated request details |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify specimens and request forms that do not comply with minimum industry requirements for labelling, identification, and test requests 1.2 Record any discrepancies or sample quality issues and indicate what action is required 1.3 Log samples, applying required document tracking mechanisms |
Element: |
2. Perform tests |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Conduct individual tests according to documented standard operating procedures, applying required quality control 2.2 Prepare blood films 2.3 Use appropriate manual haematological techniques 2.4 Identify normal and abnormal morphological characteristics of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets 2.5 Classify and count cell populations 2.6 Calculate red cell indices and white blood cells absolute counts 2.7 Interpret automated analyser results and correlate with blood film morphology 2.8 Record results in accordance with workplace procedures using correct terminology |
Element: |
3. Maintain laboratory records |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Record entries on report forms or into computer systems, accurately calculating, recording, or transcribing required data 3.2 Ensure samples and associated paperwork maintain traceability throughout testing |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Learning sessions each week include:
- background theory and case studies
- interactive online and live laboratory classes to perform tests & processes used in industry
- simulated decision-making applied by medical scientists
- morphology case studies using microscope examination of blood films (slides)
In practical classes, students use a range of industry-standard laboratory techniques, analysers and equipment, interpret pathology results, work with macroscopic and microscopic specimens, keep records of results, and write reports to industry standards.
Teaching Schedule
Week |
Date |
Theory |
Laboratory Practical Skills |
Assessments |
1 |
6 Feb |
INTRO |
PRAC 0 |
|
2 |
13 Feb |
BLOOD 1 |
PRAC 1 Sample integrity | Blood components Prepare blood films (AT1-2) |
|
3 |
20 Feb |
BLOOD 2 |
Observe blood films |
Upload AT1 Lab records 2 |
4 |
27 Feb |
BLOOD 3 |
PRAC 2 Run FBC on analyser (learn skill) |
|
5 |
6 Mar |
BLOOD 4 |
Perform manual differential, calculate absolute values |
Upload AT1 Lab records 3 |
6 |
13 Mar |
RED CELLS 1 |
PRAC 3 Run FBC on analyser | Interpret FBC results (AT1-1) |
|
7 |
20 Mar |
RED CELLS 2 |
Blood films: haemoglobinopathy (thalassaemia, sickle cell disease) | haemolysis |
Upload AT1 Lab records 1 |
|
8
|
27 Mar |
RED CELLS 3 |
PRAC 4 |
|
9 |
3 Apr |
WHITE CELLS 1 Tuesday timeslot |
No classes Friday this week |
Upload AT1 Lab records 4 |
7-14 Apr |
Student vacation – No lab or theory |
|
||
10 |
17 Apr |
WHITE CELLS 2 |
Catch-up PRACS Online case studies – blood film reporting practice |
|
11 |
24 Apr |
No PRACS (Tues 25 Public Holiday) |
AT2 Knowledge Quiz |
AT2 Knowledge Quiz |
12 |
1 May |
HAEMOSTASIS 1 |
PRAC 5 |
Upload AT3 Part 1 Prepare resource |
13 |
8 May |
HAEMOSTASIS 2 |
D-Dimer test | INR Clinic (AT1-5) |
Upload AT1 Lab records 5 |
14 |
15 May |
HAEMOSTASIS 3 |
PRAC 6 Blood films – disseminated intravascular coagulation |
Upload AT3 Part 2 Questions |
15 |
22 May |
REVIEW |
AT5 Practical skills – blood films |
AT5 Practical skills – morphology |
16 |
29 May |
AT4Applied Knowledge – Case Studies |
Repeat AT5 if needed |
AT2 Knowledge Quiz |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
See Canvas for all resources.
There is no set textbook, although certain online texts are recommended, and available through RMIT Library.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment may include
observation of laboratory skills
knowledge tests
reports
case studies
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Practical
AT1: Log book evidence – perform and record laboratory tests
Due: Submit after each practical (1-5) – final submissions Week 16
Assessment Task 2: Knowledge
AT2: Applied Knowledge – interpreting results
Due: Week 11
Assessment Task 3: Produce a Resource
AT3: Produce a haematology resource
Due: Part 1 – Week 12
Part 2 – Week 14
Assessment Task 4: Knowledge
AT4: Applied Knowledge – case studies & laboratory scenarios
Due: Week 16
Assessment Task 5: Practical
AT5: Morphology Diagnostic Skills – identifying blood films
Due: Week 15 - times to be confirmed
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
This course is an ungraded competency-based unit of study.
The outcome is either Competent or Not Yet Competent.
Individual assessment tasks are deemed Satisfactory | Not Satisfactory | Not Observed
SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS
You are expected to prepare all assignments and other written work in a professional manner. More information on general academic study and writing skills can be found on the “Learning Lab” http://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/.
All Assessment tasks should be performed or submitted by their due dates.
You must keep a copy of all submitted assessments including electronic copies. It is expected that any work presented for assessment in this course will be your own. RMIT University has a strict policy on academic integrity and plagiarism. 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. More information on this policy can be found at www.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity.
You may be asked to submit your assessment work via Turnitin to check for the originality of items. The similarity percentage for any assessment submitted via Turnitin should not exceed 30%. If you exceed the limit, you may be asked to resubmit the assessment with up to one week’s extension.
This course assessments conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced at www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment
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 by filling in the application form at least one working day BEFORE the due date. The application form should be emailed to your Program Coordinator, Rauha Quazi rauha.quazi@rmit.edu.au
Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
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 www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration or speak to your Program Coordinator.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview