MSL50118 Diploma of Laboratory Technology
The Diploma of Laboratory Technology offers broad or specialised technical training in a range of laboratory technologies. Employment outcomes targeted by this qualification include technical officers, laboratory technicians, analysts and similar personnel.
Technical officers conduct a wide range of sampling and testing that requires the application of broad scientific-technical knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas. Although technical officers generally work in a laboratory, they can work closely with personnel in other teams within a section of the workplace.
They may liaise with suppliers to troubleshoot product non-conformance at the direction of laboratory supervisors or managers. They gather information on non-conformance and events that may lead to the modification of workplace procedures. They may also demonstrate methods to others and train them to collect samples and conduct basic tests reliably.
The work of technical officers involves frequent peak periods and interruptions. They:
- conduct a wide range of routine and specialised tests where atypical samples may be involved and where the instrumentation used has a wide range of operating variables
- contribute to the modification of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and enterprise methods when necessary
- define and solve problems where alternatives are not obvious and where investigations and trials may be required and the implications of various solutions considered
- work under the direction and supervision of laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical professionals
- often work as part of a team and may have a role in the planning of schedules and monitoring of resources in their work area
- organise the work of others and plan and coordinate and evaluate the work of teams, within broad but generally well-defined parameters.
Careers in Laboratory
Examples of the work of technical officers:
- A technical officer working in a biotechnology laboratory prepares, maintains and preserves cells and cell lines for the large scale production of monoclonal antibodies.
- A calibration officer working in a calibration laboratory performs standard and non-standard calibrations of equipment provided by clients.
- A technical officer who works in a pathology laboratory performs a range of tests on body tissues, prepares cultures, stains tissue sections and thin films and counts and classifies cells, bacteria and parasites. They also perform routine calibration and maintenance of instruments.
- An analyst working in an analytical laboratory analyses samples using a range of techniques and instruments, establishes client needs for routine and non-routine samples, optimises enterprise procedures and instruments for specific samples, recognises atypical data and results and troubleshoots common analytical procedure and equipment problems.
- A technical officer who works in a major food processing plant conducts a range of tests on the company products to measure:
- the concentration of nutrients and food additives, such as dyes and flavourings
- the concentration of contaminants, such as heavy metals and microbial toxins
- pH, salt, moisture and fat content.
The officer also conducts a range of tests on the packaging material used for the company’s products.
Entry Requirements
Entry into this qualification is open to individuals who:
- hold a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques; OR
- hold a relevant Certificate IV or higher level qualification in a relevant science discipline; OR
- can demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge in a relevant science discipline to any of the above qualifications
Qualifications with specialisations
Please note – All qualifications are able to be customised since particular combinations of elective units can be selected to suit individual candidate needs and the industry sector, and in some cases prerequisite units may need to be completed. For more advice contact FS Alliance or go to : https://training.gov.au/Search