Course Title: Perform chemical pathology tests

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

Course Code: BIOL5225C

Course Title: Perform chemical pathology tests

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

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5362 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Pathology Testing)

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4837

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

rowena.lavery@rmit.edu.au

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

Pre-requisites:

 

MSL974003 Perform chemical tests and  procedures

OR         

MSL974006 Perform biological procedures

Course Description

This unit of competency covers the ability 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:	MSL975004 Perform chemical pathology tests
Element:	1 Process samples and associated request forms
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Ensure sample labels and request forms are correctly completed in accordance with workplace requirements 1.2 Return samples and request forms that do not comply with requirements to their source with reasons for non-acceptance 1.3 Log acceptable samples, applying required document tracking mechanisms 1.4 Process samples as required by test procedure and request status 1.5 Store sample components under optimal conditions until required for testing
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 cognitive and technical 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 2.8 Store unused sample for possible future reference
Element:	3 Maintain a safe work area and environment
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel 3.2 Clean up spills using appropriate techniques to protect personnel, work area and environment 3.3 Identify instrument malfunction that may impact on safe operation 3.4 Ensure the safe disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory waste in accordance with workplace procedures
Element:	4 Maintain laboratory records
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Make entries on report forms or into computer systems, accurately calculating, recording or transcribing required data 4.2 Maintain instrument logs as required by accreditation checklists 4.3 Maintain security and confidentiality of all clinical information, laboratory data and records

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

This course is run as a combination of laboratory classes and online lectures.

Teaching Schedule

Session	Week beginning	Topic/Activity/Assessment
SEMESTER 1
Week 1	11/02/2019	Theory: Introduction to Clinical chemistry, objectives, analytical variables, Quality Assurance Practical: Levey Jennings QC Plots
Week 2	18/02/2019	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	25/02/2019	Theory: Renal Practical: 1. Urine testing 2. Creatinine 3. Urine stix (demo)
Week 4	4/03/2019	Theory: Liver Functions I Practical: BCG Albumin limitations Beer Lambert Total Protein First determine the Endpoint
Week 5	11/03/2019	LABOUR DAY Holiday
Week 6	18/03/2019	Theory: Lipids I Practical: Cholesterol HDL/LDL Ratio
Week 7	25/03/2019	Theory: Lipids II Practical: Triglycerides
Week 8	1/04/2019	Assessment 2. MID-SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM (B)
Week 9	8/04/2019	Theory: Lipids lll Practical: Lipid Electrophoresis
Week 10	15/04/2019	Theory: Iron Studies Practicals: 1. Iron Levels Spectrophotometry (Drylab Exercise)  2. Haemoglobin Electrophoresis
	22/04/2019	Mid-semester break
Week 11	29/04/2019	Theory: Liver I: Serum proteins Practical: Protein estimation using Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Week 12	6/05/2019	Theory: Liver II - Liver Function Tests (LFT’s) Practical: Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT)
Week 13	13/05/2019	Theory: Automation and point of care testing (POCT) Practical: Automation and POCT I & II Assessment 4. OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST (A) (H)
Week 14	20/05/2019	Theory: Automation and point of care testing (POCT) Practical: Automation and POCT I & II (continued) Assessment 4. OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST (A) (H)
Week 15	27/05/2019	SUBMIT both of the following: Assessment 1. SEMESTER 1 PRACTICAL LOG BOOK ENTRIES (A) (B) (D) (H) Assessment 3. AUTOMATION AND POINT OF CARE TESTING (POCT) MANUAL (A) (B) (D) (H)
Week 16	3/06/2019	Assessment 5. END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM (B)
Week 17	10/06/2019	End of semester 1 exams/ Queens Birthday (Bank holiday)
Week 18	17th June to 5th July	Semester break
SEMESTER 2 starts
Week 1	8/07/2019	Theory: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) - Testing for Drugs Introduction to Chromatography & HPLC Practical: Separation of a mixture of food dyes using Paper Chromatography
Week 2	15/07/2019	Theory: Toxicology Practical: HPLC:  Separating analgesics using HPLC Assessment 7 (a) REPORT submit via Turnitin Sunday 21st July before 11.59 pm
Week 3	22/07/2019	Theory: Circulatory system & heart Practical: Cardiac Markers II – Troponin immunoassay – “dotblot” Assessment 7 (b) PRESENTATION submit via Turnitin Sunday 28th July before 11.59 pm (In class presentations begin this week and continue throughout semester 2)
Week 4	29/07/2019	Theory: Circulatory system & heart Practical: Cardiac Markers I - Creatine Kinase Isoenzymes (CK-MB)
Week 5	5/08/2019	Theory: Tumour Markers I – Myeloma Practical: Paraproteins Electrophoresis (Helena Labs)
Week 6	12/08/2019	Theory: Diabetes Practical: Analysis of Blood Glucose
Week 7	19/08/2019	Revision
Week 8	26/08/2019	Assessment 8. MID-SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM (B)
		Semester break
Week 9	9/09/2019	Theory: ELISA immunoassays Practical: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Week 10	16/09/2019	Theory: Introduction to DNA - Plasmid preps Practical: Plasmid DNA Minipreps part I
Week 11	23/09/2019	Theory: Plasmid preps II Practical: Plasmid Gel
Week 12	30/09/2019	Theory: Genetic Diseases I Practical: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) part I
Week 13	07/10/2019	Theory: PCR technology, Genetic Diseases II Practical: PCR part II
Week 14	14/10/2019	SUBMIT: Assessment 6. SEMESTER 2 PRACTICAL LOG BOOK ENTRIES (A) (B) (D) (H)
Week 15	21/10/2019	Revision
Week 16/17	28/10/2019- 8/11/2019	Assessment 9. END OF SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM (B)
Week 18	11/11/2019	End of semester 2 break

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

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.

Overview of Assessment

In- class data analysis

Research assignment

group presentation

written tests

laboratory logbook

Automation and POCT Logbook

Assessment Tasks

Assessment task Each task must be completed satisfactorily before Competence is achieved for the full subject/unit.	Due Date	Result S (satisfactory) NYS (Not yet satisfactory)	*Grades allocated
SEMESTER 1
1.       SEMESTER 1 PRACTICAL LOG BOOK ENTRIES	11/02-27/5	S/NYS	-
2.       MID-SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM	1/04/2019	-	25
3.       AUTOMATION AND POINT OF CARE TESTING (POCT) MANUAL	27/05/2019	S/NYS	-
4.       OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST	13/5 & 20/05	S/NYS	-
5.       END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM	3/06/2019	-	25
SEMESTER 2
6.       SEMESTER 2 PRACTICAL LOG BOOK ENTRIES	8/07 -14/10	S/NYS	-
7.       (a) REPORT AND  (b) PRESENTATION	21/07 28/07	-	10
8.       MID-SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM	26/08/2019	-	20
9.       END OF SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM	28/10/2019	-	20
			Final Total: 100

Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Decision making rules

Every task must be completed satisfactorily for competence to be achieved.
*Competence must be achieved before grades are allocated.

Assessment Information

This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also utilise graded assessment

 

CHD Competent with High Distinction (80 – 100%)

CDI Competent with Distinction (70 – 79%)

CC Competent with Credit (60 – 69%)

CAG Competency Achieved – Graded (50 – 59%)

NYC Not Yet Competent (0 – 49%)

DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

 

To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (exams, pracs, and assignments etc.) For example, if there are two exams you need to have an average of 50% to pass and you also need to have passed the other assessment types. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (e.g. pass the exams but fail the prac component).

 

Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) will not be corrected.

 

APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK - A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application should be emailed to the Program Coordinator. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.

 

For missed assessments such as exams- you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence prior to, or within, 5 days of the scheduled time of examination http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

 

A minimum of 80% attendance at practical classes is required to pass this course. If you are sick you should email a medical certificate to the Program Coordinator. If you miss a practical class that is a prac report write up you need to provide a medical certificate (or other evidence) and arrange an alternative report with your teacher

 

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.

 

 

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