Competency information
Details
Receive, assess and store common haematology specimens
Considerations
- Minimum data set required for identification of samples and the importance of ensuring that this is complete and correct
- Factors affecting sample integrity and appropriate corrective action
- Procedures for handling samples which may contain category 2, 3 and 4 pathogens
- Types and implications of hazards and risks associated with handling of specimens and relevant control measures
- The quality management process that ensures the correct location and storage of documentation and specimens at each stage of the process
- Infection risk from blood samples
- Safe laboratory practices, including principles of decontamination of equipment and work areas
- Quality assurance procedures and their application
- Local and national health and safety policies and procedures and their application
- Relevant records, their importance and how to complete these correctly
- The relevant health and safety regulations for laboratory and clinical investigations
- The specific health and safety regulations for the specialism, type of specimen/sample and investigation
- The potential hazards and risks and the actions to be taken to minimise these
- Understand why certain laboratory techniques cannot be carried out on ‘danger of infection’ samples
- Responsibilities and scope of practice of laboratory personnel involved in performing investigations and reporting those investigations to users
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 | Outcome Receive, prepare and process specimens for solid tumour investigation To include supervised dissection, tissue selection cutting, fixation and staining, as appropriate |
| # 2 | Outcome Receive, prepare and process specimens for haematological malignancy investigation To include sampling methods, correct sample procedures, collection and storage of samples nucleic acid extraction and quality assessment |
| # 5 | Outcome Perform a range of laboratory techniques used in screening and investigating histopathological and haematological malignancy disorders |
| # 6 | Outcome Apply the principles of internal quality control and external quality assessment and draw conclusions about assay performance |
| # 7 | Outcome Use laboratory IT systems for the safe handling, processing and storage of patient data |