Course Title: Perform histological tests
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2020
Course Code: BIOL5250C
Course Title: Perform histological 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
Nominal Hours: 200
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
MSL954003 Relate anatomical and physiological features to laboratory samples
Course Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to perform tests and procedures associated with processing and staining tissues for examination of tissue structure and abnormalities by pathologists and scientists to assist with disease diagnosis. The unit covers tests and procedures that are associated with anatomical pathology and may involve the use of automated processors and staining machines.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MSL975029 Perform histological tests |
Element: |
1. Process specimens 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 acceptable specimens into a laboratory information management system (LIMS) accurately and efficiently, applying required document tracking mechanisms |
Element: |
2. Process tissue |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Select processor program for routine and non-routine samples 2.2 Perform equipment pre-use checks on the tissue processor to ensure sample integrity is maintained |
Element: |
3. Embed tissue |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Perform equipment pre-use check on embedding centre to ensure samples integrity and uninterrupted embedding of processor load 3.2 Embed tissue types in correct orientation and characteristics that minimise tissue loss and artefacts during microtomy 3.3 Check tissue for complete processing prior to embedding 3.4 Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between tissues 3.5 Inspect blocks, reject and re-embed items that do not meet quality control standards |
Element: |
4. Cut tissue sections |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Check the flotation bath is ready and satisfactory for use 4.2 Prepare and adjust all external parts of a microtome and associated equipment to accommodate requirements of tissue batch 4.3 Secure block in microtome following specified safety directions 4.4 Orientate the block correctly for each specific tissue in order to maintain sample integrity and minimise artefacts 4.5 Cut thin tissue sections according to needs of subsequent procedures, maintaining sample integrity, minimising artefacts and conserving tissue for further testing 4.6 Float sections onto water bath to flatten tissues 4.7 Pick up sections onto microscope slides ensuring patient identification on slides matches that on the block 4.8 Compare the blocks and sections ensuring the tissue on slides matches that in the blocks 4.9 Apply procedures to prevent cross-contamination between patient tissues 4.10 Identify, troubleshoot and resolve common section quality control issues 4.11 Inspect sections and reject any that do not meet quality control standards |
Element: |
5. Stain tissue sections |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Prepare labile reagents for immediate use 5.2 Select reagents for specified technique, ensuring reagent sequence matches standard procedure 5.3 Stain sections according to method using the required quality control section and accommodating any authorised variations 5.4 Mount slides using medium compatible with staining technique ensuring no bubbles 5.5 Examine control sections microscopically to ensure expected staining outcomes are achieved and procedural artefacts are detected 5.6 Collate and cross-check slides, blocks and test request forms to ensure requirements have been met 5.7 Attach permanent label with case, specimen and stain details as required by workplace 5.8 Confirm microscopically that the type/disease is appropriate and still present in the control sections for each stain 5.9 Approve slides and release to pathologist |
Element: |
6. Maintain laboratory records |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1 Complete control stain quality assessment forms to report quality control outcomes 6.2 File and store samples to facilitate efficient retrieval as required 6.3 Maintain instrument logs as required by accreditation checks |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
You will learn how to perform histologist tests for example how to embed several tissue types, use a microtome to section paraffin blocks, stain tissue sections using 7 different histological stains as well as how to register samples into a LIMs system. Your primary learning mode will be face-to-face and will include a combination of tutorials, classroom activities and practical demonstrations.
Teaching Schedule
Schedule | ||
Session |
Week beginning |
Topic/Activity/Assessment |
SEMESTER 1 # | ||
|
Week 1
|
10/02/2020 |
Please go to canvas topics 1 module to find your group.
Class 1 please attend the 9 am to 11 am class. Class 2 please attend the 11.30 am to 1.30 pm class. Class 3 please attend the 2.30 Pm to 4.30 pm class.
Theory:
Practical: Complete OHS forms and risk assessment forms Tissue collection and fixation of skin, lung (large tissue), trachea and kidney (small tissue) Examine the on-site automated tissue processing machine |
|
Week 2
|
17/02/2020 |
Theory: Embedding, Tissue accessioning, Specimen reception, Tissue processing – manual and automatic Embedding of samples training (two stations, 1 station per teacher) Examine histological sides AT1 OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST- embedding
EOP Quiz before 23rd Sunday 11.59 pm |
|
Week 3
|
24/02/2020 |
Theory: Microtomy – introduction Please read through your observation checklists before coming to class: AT2 OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST- microtomy AT5 OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST - staining |
|
Practical: Component A AT3 Part 1: Specimen reception – matching samples and request form for 10 samples (Class 2)
Embedding of samples Perls staining for iron deposits (1 x spleen slides) occasion # 1
|
Practical: Component B AT3 Part 1: Specimen reception – matching samples and request form for 10 samples (Class 2)
*Microtomy on kidney (10 slides per student)
|
|
|
Week 4
|
02/03/2020 |
Theory: Microtomy Tissue processing troubleshooting and possible effects on microtomy. |
|
Practical: Component A *Microtomy on kidney (10 slides per student)
Specimen reception – matching samples and request for 10 samples (Class 3)
Biopsy collection (Kidney core needle biopsy). |
Practical: Component B Specimen reception – matching samples and request for 10 samples (Class 3) Embedding of samples
Perls staining for iron deposits (1 x spleen slides) occasion # 1 Biopsy collection (Kidney core needle biopsy). |
|
Week 5 |
9/03/2020 |
Theory: Histological images of epithelial and connective tissue |
|
Practical: Component A Specimen reception – matching samples and request form for 10 samples (re-sits)) Embedding of samples
Perls staining for iron deposits (1 x spleen slides) occasion # 2 |
Practical: Component B
*Microtomy on tongue (14 slides)
|
|
Week 6 |
16/03/2020 |
Theory: Histological images of adipose tissue and blood vessels |
|
Practical: Component A *Microtomy on tongue (14 slides) |
Practical: Component B Specimen reception – matching samples and request form for 10 samples (re-sits) Embedding of samples Perls staining for iron deposits (1 x spleen slides) occasion # 2 |
|
Week 7 |
23/03/2020 |
Theory: Bone and biopsies processing Practical: Group A & B
PAS/PASD staining for carbohydrates (liver x2) occasion # 1 Staining PAS (Kidney section X1) occasion # 1 |
Week 8 |
30/03/2020 |
AT3 Part 2. SIMULATED LIMS ASSESSMENT (Identify non-compliant specimen request forms and log acceptable specimens into LIMs)
|
|
Week 9
|
6/04/2019 |
Mid-semester break starts Friday – no class
|
Week 9 |
13/04/2020 |
Theory: Histological images of nerve tissue Practical Component I: Group A & B
|
|
Practical: Component A *Microtomy on lung (6 slides)
OHS and preparation of reagents exercises
|
Practical: Component B
OHS and preparation of reagents exercises PAS/PASD staining for carbohydrates (liver x2) occasion # 1 Staining PAS (Kidney section X1) occasion # 1 |
|
|
Week 10
|
20/04/2020 |
Theory: Histological images of muscular tissue (skeletal and cardiac) |
|
Practical: Component A OHS and preparation of reagents exercises Biopsy embedding PAS/PASD staining for carbohydrates (liver x2) occasion # 2 Staining PAS (Kidney section X1) occasion # 2 |
Practical: Component B *Microtomy on lung (6 slides)
Bone and Biopsy embedding
|
|
|
Week 11
|
27/04/2020 |
Theory: Histological images of upper and lower digestive system |
|
Practical: Component A *Microtomy skin (10 slides)
|
Practical: Component B Checkpoint analysis: By now you have stained 2 occasions Perls using spleen tissue 2 occasions PAS/PASD using 2 liver 2 occasions AB using intestine All slides pass QC according to industry stands PAS/PASD staining for carbohydrates (liver x2) occasion # 2 Staining PAS (Kidney section X1) occasion # 2
|
|
Week 12 |
04/05/2020 |
Theory: Histological images of Haematopoietic tissues |
|
Practical: Component A Checkpoint analysis: By now you have stained : 2 occasions Perls using spleen tissue 2 occasions PAS/PASD using 2 liver 1 occasions AB using intestine All slides pass QC according to industry stands
AB staining for Mucins (intestine x1) occasion # 1 |
Practical: Component B *Microtomy skin (10 slides)
|
|
|
Week 13
|
11/05/2020 |
Catch up on embedding microtomy. Checkpoint - by now you have cut: 10 x kidney 14 x heart 6 x lung 10 x skin By now you have embedded:
AB staining for Mucins (intestine x1) occasion # 2 |
Week 14 |
18/05/2020 |
Catch up on embedding, microtomy and staining
Staining PTAH (tongue section x1) occasion # 1 |
Week 15 |
25/05/2020 |
Staining PTAH (tongue section x1) occasion # 1 |
Week16 |
01/06/2020 |
AT4 END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM - Online Quiz 1: tissue processing, embedding, microtomy sLIMs re-sits |
Week 17 |
08/06/2020 |
Resits AT4 and sLIMS |
|
SEMESTER 2 starts | ||
|
Week 1
|
6/07/2020 |
Theory: Introduction to staining |
|
Practical: Component A *Microtomy on heart (7 slides) |
Practical: Component B Staining PTAH (tongue section x1) occasion # 2
|
|
|
Week 2
|
13/07/2020 |
Theory: Routine Haematoxylin & Eosin staining (H&E) |
|
Practical: Component A Staining PTAH (tongue section x1) occasion # 2 |
Practical: Component B *Microtomy on heart (7 slides)
|
|
|
Week 3
|
20/07/2020
|
Theory: Pigments |
|
Practical: Component A *Microtomy heart (7 slides catch up) |
Practical: Component B Masson staining for connective tissue (Skin x 1) occasion # 1
|
|
|
Week 4
|
27/07/2020 |
Theory: Connective tissue stains |
|
Practical: Component A Masson staining for connective tissue (Skin x 1) occasion # 1 |
Practical: Component B *Microtomy heart (7 slides catch up) |
|
|
Week 5
|
03/08/2020 |
Theory: Staining for Carbohydrates |
|
Practical: Component A Total number of slide/sections to date: Kidney= 10, Liver =14, Skin=10, Lung=6 Tongues=14 Microtomy: Catch up
|
Practical: Component B
Masson staining for connective tissue (Skin x 1) occasion # 2
|
|
|
Week 6
|
10/08/2020 |
Theory: Staining for Mucins |
|
Practical: Component A
Masson staining for connective tissue (Skin x 1) occasion # 2
|
Practical: Component B Total number of slide/sections to date: Kidney= 10, Liver =14, Skin=10, Lung=6 Tongues=14 Microtomy: Catch up |
|
|
Week 7
|
17/08/2020 |
Theory: Histological images of respiratory system
|
|
Practical: Staining H & E (occasion # 1) Start taking photos of stained slides for portfolio: H & E, PAS, PTAH, Perls, Masson | ||
Week 8 |
24/08/2020 |
Mid-semester assessments- no exam. Work on preparation of your histology slide portfolio
|
|
31/08/2020 |
Mid-semester break |
|
Week 9
|
7/09/2020 |
Theory: Histological images of urinary system |
|
Practical: Staining H & E (occasion # 1) Take photos of stained slides for portfolio: H & E, PAS, PTAH, Perls, Masson | ||
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Week 10
|
14/09/2020 |
Theory: Histological images of male and female reproductive system |
|
Theory: Polarising Microscopy Practical: Staining H & E (occasion # 2) Take photos of stained slides for portfolio: H & E, PAS, PTAH, Perls, Masson | ||
|
Week 11
|
21/09/2020 |
No practical - AFL bank holiday on the Friday |
Week 12 |
28/09/2020 |
Theory: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) Practical: Staining H & E (occasion # 2) Take photos of stained slides: H & E, PAS, PTAH, Perls, Masson, PASD |
|
Week 13
|
5/10/2020 |
Theory: Cryotomy (frozen sections) Practical: Staining H & E (occasion # 2) |
Week 14 |
12/10/2020 |
Archive Box: Labelled stained slides to be archived, record slide location in your portfolio. |
|
Week 15
|
19/10/2020 |
Archive Box: Labelled stained slides to be archived, record slide location in your portfolio. |
|
Week 16
|
26/10/2020 |
AT6. END OF SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM - Online Quiz general staining knowledge, IHC, Polarising Microscope, Croytomy (frozen sections) |
|
Week 17
|
02/11/2020 |
Resits AT6. END OF SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM - Online Quiz general staining knowledge, IHC, Polarising Microscope, Cryotomy (frozen sections) AT7 END OF SEMESTER PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
No required text. Recommended: Wheater’s functional histology: A text and colour Atlas. 5th edition. Authors: Barbara Young, James S. Lowe, Alan Stevens, John W. Heath. |
Overview of Assessment
Assessment may include
Knowledge tests
Observation of laboratory skills
Folio of prepared slides
Logbook of results
Assessment Tasks
Assessment details |
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Assessment tasks Each task must be completed satisfactorily before Competence is achieved for the full subject/unit. |
Date |
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EOP Quiz |
23/02/20 |
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AT1 OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST- embedding |
Starts week 2 |
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AT2 OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST- microtomy |
Starts week 3 |
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AT3 Part 1 SPECIMEN RECEPTION Identify non-compliant specimen request forms |
Week 3 |
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AT3 Part 2SIMULATED LIMS ASSESSMENT log acceptable specimens into sLIMs |
Week 8 |
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AT4 END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM - Online Quiz 1: tissue processing, embedding, microtomy |
01/06/20 |
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AT5 OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST – staining |
Starts week 3 |
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AT6 END SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM – Online Quiz 2 general staining knowledge, IHC, Polarising Microscope. |
26/10/20 |
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AT7 END SEMESTER PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION |
Week 17 |
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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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