Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

Verbal Expression and Comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication

• In a laboratory setting this will assist with participating in tutorial discussions and practising your professional communication during practical classes. 

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a timely way

• In a laboratory setting, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you and key users of the laboratory and supervisors 

Clear communication assists with completing laboratory tasks safely.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities.

Social Communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking.

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus learning and visits to industry laboratories to understand and complete laboratory tasks safely

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require your use of social communication abilities include:

• identifying and using gestures, verbal turn-taking and proximity when sharing workload and equipment with fellow students and users of the laboratory
• responding with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you. Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

Reading

Demonstrate effective reading and reading comprehension

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as:  on screen material, academic reference material and/or handwritten notes.

In a laboratory setting, essential information is communicated in written form. Tasks which require your use of reading include:

• reading and understanding safety data sheets and protocols
• reading and comprehending laboratory records, reports and scientific literature

The ability to read, understand and interpret written information is fundamental to working in a laboratory environment in a safe manner. 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for teaching laboratory and on-campus learning activities. 

Writing

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to the laboratory setting and on-campus learning activities.

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include:

• recording of laboratory results in a log book using scientific terms and abbreviations
• writing laboratory reports
• laboratory record keeping and reporting is an integral part of laboratory placement and is vital to the provision of valid laboratory testing.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. 

Number Skills

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurement and formulae in a time efficient manner when completing laboratory and on-campus learning activities 

In a laboratory setting and on-campus learning activities, tasks which require your use of number skills include:

• performing accurate calculations for solution making, dilutions and cell counts
• conducting bacterial counts in the microbiology laboratory to determine the extent of contamination in a sample and precisely recording these results in an accurate and time efficient way

The ability to read, understand and interpret information is fundamental to working in this setting/environment in a safe manner. The ramifications of miscalculations are significant.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. 

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from on-campus learning to a laboratory setting.

In a laboratory setting, tasks using your concentration, memory and problem-solving abilities include:

• conceptualising and using knowledge of academic material i.e. making a solution of specified concentration within a specific time frame 
• planning and organising multiple, sequential, laboratory tasks so they can be completed safely and in a timely way
• focus and concentration over a 3 hour laboratory class

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in the on-campus learning environment. 

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require your vision include:

• observing changes during sample testing using a microscope
• using equipment such as balances, spectrophotometers, micropipettes
• accurately identifying non-electronic written information i.e. chemical and sample labels

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with ELS and the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement. Glasses and other visual aids can be used during on-campus learning activities and professional experience placement.

If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with Equitable Learning Services (ELS).

In the teaching laboratory tasks may involve: lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting, bending and balancing.

What do I need to be able to do?

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require gross motor abilities include: 

• manual handling i.e. safely moving, positioning and setting up laboratory equipment
• safely manipulating and operating laboratory equipment

Safe manual handling minimises the risk of injury to yourself and others.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.

‘Fine motor skills’ is the ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands

What do I need to be able to do?

During on campus and laboratory learning tasks may involve: pushing, turning, grasping and squeezing.

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require fine motor abilities include:

• conducting microbiological techniques such as preparing cultures and applying small volume samples on to gels
• manipulating small dials on equipment such as microscopes
• using small measuring equipment such as pipettes

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.

This refers to the ability to undertake a task/s over a pre-determined period of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a period of time, or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

What do I need to be able to do?

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require your physical and mental endurance include:

• performing repetitive tasks with a level of sustained concentration and focus until the tasks are completed appropriately and accurately
• maintaining a high level of concentration while undertaking precise laboratory procedures throughout a laboratory session

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your circumstances and physical capacities. You may use strategies such as rest breaks to support your performance for on-campus learning activities. 

Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.