Course Title: Perform chemical pathology tests

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: BIOL5249C

Course Title: Perform chemical pathology tests

School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5388 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology

Course Contact: Kirsten Balding

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4283

Course Contact Email: kirsten.balding@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Dr Rowena Lavery

email: Rowena.Lavery@rmit.edu.au

Giovanna Mercuri

email: Giovanna.Mercuri@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

MSL974021  Perform biological procedures

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge 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:	MSL975037 Perform chemical pathology tests
Element:	1. Process samples and associated request forms
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 and indicate what action is required 1.3 Log samples, recording details that allow accurate tracking and chain of custody
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 quality control 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
Element:	3. Maintain laboratory records
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Record entries on report forms or into a laboratory information management system, accurately calculating, recording or transcribing data as required 3.2 Ensure samples and associated paperwork maintain traceability throughout testing

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

 You will 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.  On a weekly basis you will simulate a chemical pathology LIS system by recording and storing all patient details and valid test results generated throughout the semester. This course will be delivered via face-to face classes, laboratory exercises and online activities.

Teaching Schedule

 

Schedule
Session	Week beginning	Topic/Activity/Assessment
SEMESTER 1
Week 1	10/02/2020	Theory:  Introduction to Clinical chemistry, objectives, analytical variables, Quality Assurance Practical:  Levey Jennings QC Plots
Week 2	17/02/2020	Theory: Electrolytes & Water Balance Practical: 1. Diffusion of glucose & starch across a dialysis membrane (demonstration) 2. Blood cells in hypertonic, hypotonic & isotonic saline (demonstration)
Week 3	24/02/2020	Early feedback quiz – make sure you do your Chemical pathology quiz before 23.59 Sunday 23th February! PART A Theory: Lipids I Practical: Cholesterol HDL/LDL Ratio   PART B: Theory: ELISA immunoassays Practical: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) ELISA
Week 4	2/03/2020	Theory: Renal Practical: 1. Urine testing 2. Creatinine 3. Urine stix (demo)
Week 5	09/03/2020	LABOUR DAY Holiday
Week 6	16/03/2020	Theory: Liver Functions I Practical: BCG Albumin limitations Beer Lambert Total Protein First determine the Endpoint
Week 7	23/03/2020	AT2: MID-SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM (B) Finalise : AT1: MID SEMESTER PRACTICAL LOG BOOK ENTRIES (A) (B) (D) (H)
Week 8	30/03/2020	Resits -MID-SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM (B)
Week 9	6/04/2020	In class presentations begin here 2 per week for unit “Make a presentation’   Theory: Automation and point of care testing (POCT) -Print automation practical manual before coming to class Practical: Automation and POCT I & II AT3 (A) (B) (D) (H)
Week 10	13/04/2020	Mid-semester break
	20/04/2020	Theory: Automation and point of care testing (POCT) -Print automation practical manual before coming to class Practical: Automation and POCT I & II (continued) AT3 (A) (B) (D) (H)
Week 11	27/04/2020	Theory: Iron Studies Practicals: 1. Iron Levels Spectrophotometry (Drylab Exercise)  2. Haemoglobin Electrophoresis
Week 12	4/05/2020	Theory: Liver I: Serum proteins Practical: Protein estimation using Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Week 13	11/05/2020	Theory: Tumour Markers I – Myeloma Practical: Paraproteins Electrophoresis (Helena Labs)
Week 14	18/05/2020	Theory: Toxicology Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) - Testing for Drugs Introduction to Chromatography & HPLC Practical: HPLC:  Separating analgesics using HPLC
Week 15	25/05/2020	Theory: Liver II - Liver Function Tests (LFT’s) Practical: Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) Finalise in class the following: AT1: SEMESTER 1 PRACTICAL LOG BOOK ENTRIES (A) (B) (D) (H)
Week 16	1/06/2020	AT4: END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM (B)
Week 17	08/06/2020	Re-sits: END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM (B) Queen’s Birthday (Bank holiday)
Week 18	15/6/2020	Semester break

 

 

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Booklist

The following books are used in this course. Note that the required texts are essential for completion of the weekly questions in this course.

Useful reference for in dept study:

Pagana, Kathleen Deska, author, & Pagana, Timothy James. (2018). Mosby's manual of diagnostic and laboratory tests(Sixth ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Mosby. ISBN-10: 0323446639 ISBN-13: 978-0323446631

1. Practical Manual: PRINT AND BRING A COPY TO CLASS. Digital copy available on Canvas.
2. Automation and Point of Care Testing Manual. PRINT AND BRING A COPY TO CLASS. Digital copy available on Canvas please print and bring a copy to class – check the schedule for dates.
3. LABORATORY INFORMATION SYSTEMS (LIS) DATA INPUT- On a weekly basis you will simulate a chemical pathology LIS system by recording and storing all patient details and valid test results throughout the semester. This document will form part of your assessment.
4. Logbook: 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 in addition to the observation checklist AT1.
   The book needs to be a bound NON-SPIRAL exercise book.
   Completion of experimental records in the logbook trains students how to keep good records that can be used as “proof of discovery”. These logbooks form legal documents that can be used to prove discovery for Intellectual Property & patenting purposes & thus form an important part of the course. SPIRAL bound books ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
5. Required Texts

• 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. Buy this book at the beginning of semester 1. (The 3rd ed is also ok).
• 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. Chapters 6 to 11 available to download and online from RMIT library.

1. Recommended Texts This is 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

 

Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include

reports

knowledge tests

observation of laboratory skills

logbook

Assessment Tasks

 

 

Assessment details
Assessment task Each task must be completed satisfactorily before Competence is achieved for the full subject/unit.	Due Date
Online quiz	23/02/2019
1.       AT1	WEEK 1-15
2.       AT2	WEEK 8
3.       AT3	23/03/20
4.       AT4	1/06/20

 

To pass the course you need achieve a satisfactory result for every assessment.
You will be given only two attempts for each assessment to demonstrate you have the required skills.

A third attempt can only be offered after discussions between the 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

Submission of Assessment Tasks

It is expected that any work presented for assessment in this course will be your own. 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.

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, Namrita Kaul, namrita.kaul@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

If you require an extension of time longer than 7 days, you must apply for Special Consideration.

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

Special consideration

If you are unable to sit a test, exam or lab-based assessments due to unexpected circumstances (e.g., illness), you should apply for Special Consideration for the missed assessment. Information on applying for Special Consideration can be found from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration. Applications for Special Consideration should NOT be submitted to the course or program coordinator.

 

 

 

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