Course Title: Receive and prepare samples for testing
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2025
Course Code: ONPS7803C
Course Title: Receive and prepare samples for testing
School: 535T Social Care and Health
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4433 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
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
Nominal Hours: 30
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
Nil
Course Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to log samples, check sample documentation, and schedule and prepare samples for testing in accordance with workplace procedures. This unit does not include testing, tissue processing or similar techniques.
This unit of competency applies to field and laboratory assistants in all industry sectors who receive and prepare samples as part/all of their job in a sample reception area.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MSL953005 Receive and prepare samples for testing |
Element: |
1. Log samples |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Apply safe work practices to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel5.2 Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety when sampling, processing, transferring or disposing of samples5.3 Respond to and report all incidents and spills in accordance with workplace procedures.5.4 Ensure the safe disposal of hazardous materials and other laboratory wastes |
Element: |
2. Address client and customer service issues |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Prepare the required number of sub-samples in accordance with workplace procedures3.2 Monitor and control sample conditions before, during and after processing |
Element: |
3. Prepare samples for testing |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Group samples requiring similar testing requirements4.2 Distribute samples to workstations maintaining sample integrity4.3 Update laboratory information management system or other sample tracking system to reflect current status of sample |
Element: |
4. Distribute samples |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Record date (and time of arrival, if required) of samples at workplace1.2 Check and match samples with request forms before they are accepted1.3 Enter details of samples into the laboratory information management system (LIMS) or other sample tracking system1.4 Process 'urgent' test requests according to workplace requirements1.5 Ensure security and traceability of all information, laboratory data, records and samples |
Element: |
5. Maintain a safe work area and environment |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Report to referring client/supervisor when samples and request forms do not comply with workplace requirements2.2 Ensure that information provided to customers is accurate, relevant and authorised for release2.3 Deal with customers politely and efficiently and in accordance with workplace procedures |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Students are expected to participate actively in all learning activities that include:
- pre-class preparation using the video/interactive resources provided
- working independently to check samples arriving for testing
- completing documentation of samples received
Teaching Schedule
Week |
Week Beginning |
Theory/Lab |
Assessment Type |
Assessment Due |
10 |
22/09/2025 |
THEORY (Intro to Course and Specimen Reception) |
||
11 |
29/09/2025 |
PRACTICE ASSESSMENT LAB (Specimen Reception and Subsampling) |
||
12 |
06/10/2025 |
ASSESSMENT LAB 1: (Specimen Reception - 2 samples) |
AT2 |
|
13 |
13/10/2025 |
ASSESSMENT LAB 2: (Specimen Reception - 2 samples) |
AT2 |
AT2 Lab 1 |
14 |
20/10/2025 |
ASSESSMENT LAB 3: (Sub Sampling - 2 samples) |
AT3 |
AT2 Lab 2 |
15 |
27/10/2025 |
ASSESSMENT KNOWLEDGE QUIZ (Based on Theory & Logbook SOPs) |
AT1 |
AT2 Lab 3 |
16 |
03/11/2025 |
ASSESSMENT KNOWLEDGE QUIZ SECOND ATTEMPTS (At discretion of Course Coordinator) |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment may include:
- knowledge tests
- practical skills test
- practical logbooks
- presentations
- group work
- research
- lab reports
- assignments
Assessment Tasks
To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard.
There are three assessment Task in the course.
- AT1: Knowledge Quiz
- AT2: Practical Observation – is assessed in Lab 1 and Lab 2 and involves:
-Specimen reception of 4 specimens/ samples
- sLIMS entries for all samples
- AT3: Practical observation – is assessed in Lab 3 and involves
- Specimen reception of 2 samples
- Subsampling or splitting of samples
Assessment Task |
When |
|
AT1: Knowledge Quiz |
Week 15 |
AT2: Practical Observation |
Assessed in Lab 1 and Lab 2 (Week 12 and Week 13) |
AT3: Practical observation |
Assessed in Lab 3 (week 14) |
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.
Other Information
This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment
- CA Competency Achieved
- NYC Not Yet Competent
Attendance:
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
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 in writing (email) to your Program Coordinator one working day BEFORE the due date. 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.
Academic Integrity & 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.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview