Course Title: Perform immunohaematological tests
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2021
Course Code: BIOL5251C
Course Title: Perform immunohaematological tests
School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science
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
Andrea McAdam
Course Coordinator | Teacher
andrea.mcadam@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 80
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 describes the skills and knowledge to perform routine tests and procedures that are part of the requirements of pre- and post-blood transfusion practice. The unit also covers tests and procedures that are indicated in laboratory investigations in obstetric and perinatal medicine, in suspected haemolysis and haemolytic episodes, and in other clinical circumstances.
This unit applies to technical officers and laboratory technicians working in the biomedical industry sector. It is understood that the management of any transfusion laboratory would establish for itself, in terms of its own responsibility and purposes, the ability of any worker to work in a transfusion science laboratory, regardless of the education and training record or presumed ability of any worker.
Tests will be related to the determination of blood groups and the detection of antibodies of significance in:
- transfusion (as laboratory evidence that in vivo cell destruction or immunisation may occur)
- pregnancy and the peri-natal period (as evidence of sensitisation of foetal red cells by transplacental maternal antibody)
- the investigation of haemolysis or haemolytic episodes
The tests that the worker will use will be validated and authorised procedures, clearly described in the laboratory's manual of procedures. The unit of competency is based on the assumption that technical personnel would perform tests and procedures under the close supervision of scientific and/or medical staff. The parameters of interpretation will be clearly described, indicating for the worker what he or she is permitted to sign-off without reference to supervisors or managers.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MSL975030 Perform immunohaematological 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 Conduct individual tests according to documented standard operating procedures, applying required quality control 2.2 Use appropriate manual techniques to determine patient/donor red cell phenotype and antibody status 2.3 Read and grade tube and card agglutination reactions 2.4 Record and interpret results 2.5 Validate test results and reagents using control cells and reagents 2.6 Complete documentation required to permit the issuing of blood or blood components that have been cleared for use by clinical staff |
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 Maintain records of blood and blood products received, used and returned to supplier 3.3 Ensure traceability of sample from receipt to reporting of results |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Students will gain hands-on experience with laboratory equipment, reagents and real blood samples (provided by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood from blood donors) in a simulated working laboratory.
Routine tests include quality assurance procedures, ABO and RhD blood grouping, screening for unexpected antibodies, Direct Antibody Test, and neonatal / maternal investigations
Features of fresh and processed blood products, and selection criteria for safe transfusion will be identified.
Experienced medical scientists will link the laboratory and theory material to industry workplace practice through demonstrating, and real-life case stories.
In-class exercises at the bench, on paper, kinaesthetic learning, online tutorials and group work will reinforce the theory.
Teaching Schedule
Week |
DATE |
LABORATORY SKILLS |
THEORY TOPICS |
TUES |
01_Lab |
Introduction to safe transfusion |
|
20 July |
02_Bloodgroups |
Antibodies meet antigens |
|
27 July |
DRY |
Avoiding disasters; |
|
3 Aug |
04_GrpQC |
More on red cell membranes: |
|
10 Aug |
05_GrpQC |
Transfusing blood products |
|
17 Aug |
DRY |
Laboratory testing techniques: |
|
24 Aug |
07_CATGrp |
Other blood group systems |
|
30 Aug – 3 Sep MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
|||
8 |
7 Sep |
DRY |
Antibody screening |
9 |
14 Sep |
09_DAT&IAT |
AT2 Dry Case Studies Quiz |
10 |
21 Sep |
DRY |
Antibody Identification |
11 |
28 Sep |
11_G&SQC |
Crossmatching |
12 |
5 Oct |
12_PhenoQC |
Serious Hazards of Transfusion |
13 |
12 Oct |
DRY |
Antenatal screening | HDFN |
14 |
19 Oct |
14_HDFN |
Concept review and refresh |
15 |
26 Oct |
15_G&S |
AT5 Final Quiz |
16 |
1-5 Nov |
AT6 Practical Assessment split smaller groups this week |
|
17 |
8-12 Nov |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Up-to-date links to Transfusion websites and other relevant resources are available on Canvas and within course material.
Overview of Assessment
Assessments may include
observation of laboratory skills
reports
logbook
knowledge tests
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task |
Date |
Practice Ass 01 |
Wk 3 27 July 2021 |
AT1 Pre-transfusion sample validity |
Wk 4 03 Aug |
Practice AT4 'spot audit' workbooks |
Wk 7 24 Aug |
AT2 Knowledge Test: Dry Case Studies |
Wk 8 16 Sep |
AT3 Blood Products online |
Wk 11 03 Oct |
AT4 Work Records Portfolio submit in class |
Wk 14 19 Oct |
Practice AT6 Practical Skills |
Wk 15 26 Oct |
AT5 Knowledge Test Dry Case Studies |
Wk 15 28 Oct |
AT6 Practical Skills in split groups |
Wk 16 | 17 tbc |
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, at the discretion of the teacher.
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
Any work submitted for assessment in this course must be your own. Plagiarism is the presentation of any 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.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview