Course Title: Perform histological tests

National Element Code & Title:

MSL975029 Perform histological tests

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

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

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

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

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

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

Schedule Ϯ

SEMESTER 1

Week 2

14/02/2022

Theory:

• Complete OHS form online
• Discuss macroscopic cut-up and tissue fixation (preservation)
• Introduction to paraffin wax tissue embedding and orientation

Practical:

• Tissue collection, dissection and fixation: skin (epithelial), lung (large tissue), trachea (tubular) and kidney (small tissue) – tissue preparation for embedding

Complete EOP Quiz before February 20th Sunday 11.59 pm – assignment module

Week 4

28/02/2022

Theory:

• Microtomy sectioning– an introduction to the theory
• Tissue processing troubleshooting and possible effects on microtomy (activity)

Practical:

• AT3 Part 1: Specimen reception – matching samples and request form for 10 samples (half the class) (Identify non-compliant specimen request forms and log acceptable specimens into LIMs)
• Introduction  to the AT1 OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST - embedding weekly throughout the year – Embedding of samples
• Other half of the class- take 1 microscope each - examine histology slide box
• Microtomy

Week 6

14/03/2022

Theory:

• Epithelial Tissue Types

Labour Day – No practical

Week 8

28/03/2022

Theory:

• Staining for Carbohydrates and Mucins

Practical :

Embedding of samples

Microtomy

Perls staining for iron pigment deposits (1 x spleen slides) occasion # 2

Week 10 Split week

11/04/2022

No Theory class this week due to split week 14-20th April: Mid-semester Break

Practical:

Embedding of samples

Microtomy

Staining PAS (1 x Kidney slide, staining of the basement membrane) occasion # 2

Week 11

25/04/22

Theory:

• Reproductive system histology

No practical this week due to Anzac day

Week 13

09/05/2022

Theory:

• Principles of Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) staining
• Activity: analyse H & E results and practice troubleshooting skills

Practical:

Embedding

Microtomy

PAS/PASD staining for carbohydrates (2x liver slides one slide with enzyme one slide without enzyme ) occasion # 2

Week 15

23/05/2022

Theory class : on campus AT4 END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM - Quiz 1:  tissue processing, embedding, microtomy

Practical:

Embedding

Microtomy

AB staining for Mucins (1 x intestine slide) occasion # 2

Week 17

6/06/22

Resits AT4 END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM - Quiz 1:  tissue processing, embedding, microtomy

SEMESTER 2 starts

Week 2

11/07/22

Theory:

• Histological images of respiratory system

Practical: 

Staining PTAH (1 x tongue slide) occasion # 2

Embedding

Microtomy competency

1. Section the following in sem 2:-

Kidney= 10, Liver =14, Skin=10, Lung=6, Tongues=14

Week 4

25/07/22

Theory:

• Cryotomy (frozen sections)

Practical:

Masson staining for connective tissue (1 x skin slide) occasion # 2

Embedding

Microtomy competency

1. Section the following in sem 2:-

Kidney= 10, Liver =14, Skin=10, Lung=6, Tongues=14

Week 6

8/08/2022

Theory:  

• Quality control
• Haemopoietic system

Practical:

Staining H & E (1 x kidney slide, 1 x lung slide, 1 x skin slide, 1 x tongue slide, 1 x heart slide) occasion # 1

Embedding

Microtomy competency

1. Section the following in sem 2:-

Kidney= 10, Liver =14, Skin=10, Lung=6, Tongues=14

Week 8

22/08/2022

Mid-semester assessments- no exam

Week 9

5/09/2022

Theory:

• Activities – Diseased tissue - Skin
• Work on preparation of your histology slide portfolio

Practical:

Have you completed each staining task, labelled & archived each slide, completed QC?

Take photos of stained slides for portfolio: H & E, PAS, PTAH, Perls, Masson, AB, PAS/PASD

Embedding

Microtomy competency

1. Section the following in sem 2:-

Kidney= 10, Liver =14, Skin=10, Lung=6, Tongues=14

Week 11

19/09/2022

No Theory - AFL bank holiday Friday

Practical:

Have you completed each staining task, labelled & archived each slide, completed QC?

Take photos of stained slides for portfolio: H & E, PAS, PTAH, Perls, Masson, AB, PAS/PASD

Embedding

Microtomy competency

1. Section the following in sem 2:-

Kidney= 10, Liver =14, Skin=10, Lung=6, Tongues=14

Week 13

3/10/2022

Theory :

• Activities – Diseased tissue – adenocarcinoma of the GI tract
• Work on preparation of your histology slide portfolio

Practical:

Have you completed each staining task, labelled & archived each slide, completed QC?

Take photos of stained slides for portfolio: H & E, PAS, PTAH, Perls, Masson, AB, PAS/PASD

Embedding

Microtomy competency

1. Section the following in sem 2:-

Kidney= 10, Liver =14, Skin=10, Lung=6, Tongues=14

Week 15

17/10/2022

Theory: on campus AT6. END OF SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM – quiz - general staining knowledge, IHC, Polarising Microscope, Cryotomy (frozen sections)

Practical:

By now you have completed – finalise, scan and upload to canvas LMS observation checklists AT1, AT2, AT5 before the 23rd October 23.59:

1. Completed each staining tasks using 7 different stains on 2 occasions - H & E, PAS, PTAH, Perls, Masson, AB, PAS/PASD, slides pass QC, recorded archive slide number in AT5 observational checklist log
2. Completed embedded 6 different tissue type and log recorded in observational checklist AT1
3. Completed microtomy sectioning of 40 sections from 5 different tissue blocks and logs recorded in the observation checklist AT2

Week 17

31/10/2022

Resits AT6. END OF SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM - Quiz general staining knowledge, IHC, Polarising Microscope, Cryotomy (frozen sections)

Assessment tasks

Each task must be completed satisfactorily before Competence is achieved for the full subject/unit.

Date

Result
S (Satisfactory)
NS (not satisfactory)

AT1 OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST- embedding

Starts week 4

S/NS

AT3 Part 1 SPECIMEN RECEPTION Identify non-compliant specimen request forms

Week 4/5

S/NS

AT4 END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM - Online Quiz 1:  tissue processing, embedding, microtomy

Week 15

S/NS

AT6. END SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM – Online Quiz 2 general staining knowledge, IHC, Polarising Microscope.

Week 15

Semester 2

S/NS