Associate Degree of Medical Laboratory Science inherent requirements

Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and safely in the role of a medical laboratory scientist, technician, or student.

Student:

• demonstrates behavioural stability to work effectively and safely in diverse and changing academic and professional environments.
• practices self-care consistent with professional expectations.

Justification of inherent requirement

Behavioural stability and adaptability are required to work individually and in teams in changing and unpredictable environments. Medical laboratory science students will be required to adapt their behaviour appropriately while on placement particularly during times of intense workload and in emergency situations.

Examples:

• demonstrate situational awareness and adapt behaviour accordingly
• maintain respectful communication in times of increased stressors or workloads
• be receptive and respond professionally to constructive feedback
• attend professional placement in a physical and emotional state that is consistent with professional expectations

Adjustments must support stable, effective, and professional behaviour in both academic and clinical settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Consistent knowledge and effective cognitive skills for focus, memory, attention to detail, problem solving, and time management are essential for academic performance and professional practice.

Student demonstrates:

• a capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information
• the ability to process information relevant to practice
• the ability to integrate and implement knowledge in professional practice.

Justification of inherent requirement

Provision of accurate and meaningful pathology results is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood, and applied appropriately.

Examples:

• apply a systematic informed approach to investigating unexpected patient results and aberrant quality control data
• use effective time-management skills to ensure timely generation of urgent results while maintaining routine workflow
• understand the clinical significance of critical results and respond appropriately

Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Competency in literacy skills is essential for academic performance and professional practice

Student demonstrates:

• the ability to acquire information and accurately convey appropriate, clear, and meaningful messages
• the ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and information
• a capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner.

Justification of inherent requirement

The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental for delivery of quality pathology services. The ability to read, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is essential for timely delivery of accurate and meaningful pathology results.

Examples

• locate, comprehend, summarise, and appropriately reference information from a range of sources to complete written assessment tasks
• interpret diagrams, flowcharts, graphs, and technical manuals for analytical instruments
• describe and interpret the macroscopic/microscopic appearance of patient samples and produce concise and accurate reports accordingly

Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply, and communicate accurate information. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Competency in numeracy skills is essential for provision of accurate and meaningful pathology results.

Student demonstrates:

• the ability to reliably interpret and correctly apply measurements and numerical manipulations.

Justification of inherent requirement

Competent application of numeracy skills is essential in the timely provision of accurate and meaningful pathology results.

Examples

• reliably perform numerical calculations associated with sample dilution, reagent preparation and result manipulation/correction
• accurately interpret quality control results, quality assurance reports and other scientific data
• produce accurate and meaningful graphs/charts to illustrate trends in data

Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to interpret and apply concepts and processes appropriately in a timely, accurate and effective manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Effective non-verbal communication enables respectful and non-judgmental communication with others in academic and professional settings.

Student demonstrates:

• the ability to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues in learning environments and workplace settings
• a consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviours and their impact on others
• an appropriate sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences.

Justification of inherent requirement

Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions and eye contact, and being mindful of space, time boundaries, and body movements and gestures promotes trust in academic and professional relationships. Being sensitive to individual and/or cultural differences shows respect to others and facilitates effective teamwork.

Examples

• use non-verbal behaviour that is respectful of others and mindful of interpersonal space in academic and professional settings
• recognise non-verbal cues in patient demeanour when collecting samples for pathology testing

Adjustments must enable the recognition, initiation of, or appropriate response to effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Effective verbal communication, in English, is essential to provide effective delivery of service.

Student demonstrates:

• the ability to verbally communicate in English to a standard that allows clear and comprehensible two-way interactions essential for academic performance and professional practice.

Justification of inherent requirement

Effective communication, using spoken English, is required for effective learning and professional practice.

Examples

• understand and respond appropriately in a timely manner to verbal information that impacts workflow
• seek clarification immediately when verbal instructions are not fully understood
• clearly articulate critical patient results to the appropriate health care provider
• inform laboratory supervisor immediately when personal circumstances impact on professional performance

Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity, and accuracy issues to ensure safety and appropriate practice. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Effective written communication, in English, to a standard that provides clear and professional level communication, is essential for academic performance and professional practice.

Student:

• demonstrates the capacity to construct coherent written communication appropriate to academic and professional circumstances
• applies effective use of electronic record keeping and data management systems.

Justification of inherent requirement

Construction of written text-based assessment tasks is necessary to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant theory in preparation for professional practice. Accurate written communication, including record-keeping, incident reporting and specimen notes, is vital in provision of quality pathology services.

Examples:

• communicate complex academic and scientific perspectives in writing
• use precise and appropriate language to contribute to records in the laboratory information system

Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy, and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in both academic and professional settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Medical Laboratory Science is a profession governed by competency standards, codes of ethics, codes of professional conduct, and professional boundaries where scientists and technicians are accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts.

Student demonstrates:

• a knowledge of, and application of ethical behaviour in professional practice

• the ability to interact with individuals and groups in a professional manner in a range of settings
• insight and the ability to reflect on their own personal behaviour and its impacts on others as well the capacity to modify their behaviour to ensure and maintain professionalism.

Justification of inherent requirement

Compliance with the standards, codes, guidelines, and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people with whom they engage in the professional setting. This supports the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being of all.

Examples:

• comply with academic and non-academic codes of conduct, policies, and professional standards
• Identify and enact relevant applications of these codes and standards, including those relating to academic integrity, privacy, confidentiality, and equitable, inclusive, and respectful behaviour in academic and professional placement settings
• treat personal information obtained in professional placement settings as private and confidential

Adjustments must ensure the standards, codes, guidelines, and policies are not compromised or result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Pathology practice is subject to Australian Law and professional regulations

Student demonstrates:

• knowledge and compliance with Australian Law, professional regulations, and scope of practice.

Justification of inherent requirement

Knowledge, understanding, and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary to reduce the risk of harm to self and others. Compliance with these professional regulations and Australian Law ensures that students are responsible and accountable for their practice during clinical placement.

Examples:

• meet the placement requirements of the host pathology service provider
• comply with relevant health and safety and anti-discrimination legislation

Adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Auditory ability is required for safe and effective practice in pathology laboratories.

Student demonstrates:

• sufficient aural function to undertake the required range of tasks

Justification of inherent requirement

Sufficient auditory function is necessary to monitor and manage laboratory equipment and workflow.

Examples

• hear verbal communications and directions form laboratory supervisors with sufficient clarity for accurate interpretation
• hear phone communications and directions from clients of the pathology service with sufficient clarity for accurate interpretation
• hear alarms and other auditory cues for personal safety and effective and safe operation of laboratory equipment

Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in clinical practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the hearing loss must be effective, consistent, and not compromise treatment or safety. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Sufficient tactile ability is required for safe and effective practice in pathology laboratories.

Student demonstrates:

• sufficient tactile ability to undertake the required range of tasks

Justification of inherent requirement

Sufficient tactile ability is necessary for safe and effective practice in analytical and pre-analytical pathology.

Examples:

• feel the difference between veins and arteries when performing venepuncture
• feel unexpected changes in the temperature of laboratory equipment, reagents, blood products and patient samples.

Adjustments must have the capacity to make effective assessments of physical characteristics and abnormalities within safe time frames. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Adequate visual acuity is required for safe and effective practice in pathology laboratories.

Student demonstrates:

• sufficient visual acuity to perform the required range of tasks.

Justification of inherent requirement

Sufficient visual acuity is necessary to perform the broad range of tasks required of medical laboratory professionals and to maintain the safety of self and others. Visual observations, examinations and assessments are fundamental to safe and effective pathology practice.

Examples:

• ·visually distinguish colour when interpreting results of laboratory investigations
• recognise visual alerts and cues when operating laboratory equipment
• ·visually decipher handwritten details on pathology request forms

Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in clinical practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the vision impairment must be effective, consistent, and not compromise service quality or safety. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Medical laboratory science is a profession that requires manual dexterity and fine motor skills.

Student demonstrates:

• sufficient fine motor skills to function safely and effectively within scope of practice

Justification of inherent requirement

Sufficient fine motor skills are necessary to perform tasks safely and effectively in the laboratory. Tasks that involve fine motor skills include grasping, pressing, pushing, turning, squeezing and manipulating various objects. Ability to perform these tasks consistently and safely is fundamental to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.

Examples

• use fine motor skills to perform accurate manual manipulations of patient samples and laboratory equipment
• manipulate delicate pieces of equipment and sharp objects with precision and care to avoid damage to equipment and harm to self

Adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness and safety to self and others. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Ability to move around laboratory equipment with ease is essential for safe practice in pathology

Student demonstrates:

• sufficient gross motor skills to function safely and effectively within scope of practice

Justification of inherent requirement

Sufficient gross motor skills are necessary to perform tasks safely and effectively in the laboratory. Tasks that involve gross motor skills include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting, bending, and moving around equipment and laboratory staff. Ability to perform these tasks consistently and safely is fundamental to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.

Examples

• move with ease around equipment and staff in a range of laboratory environments
• safely lift, carry and transfer equipment and stock within the bounds of Work, Health and Safety (WHS) policies and procedures

Adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness and safety of self and others. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Medical laboratory science practice requires both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level.

Student demonstrates:

• a consistent and sustained level of physical energy to complete specific tasks in a timely manner and over time
• the ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately
• the capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period of time.

Justification of inherent requirement

Sufficient physical and mental endurance is fundamental to effective and safe performance of multiple tasks in a timely manner over an assigned period of time.

Examples

• maintain consistent focus on multiple tasks over the course of a shift to ensure timely delivery of accurate and meaningful results
• consistently contribute effectively to workflow during prolonged periods of intense workload

Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.