69515 Professional Laboratory Portfolio
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 18 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (69504 Diagnostic Pathology AND 69505 Medical Microbiology AND 69506 Biomolecular Science) OR (69512 Diagnostic Pathology AND 69513 Medical Microbiology AND 69514 Biomolecular Science)
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 69507 Professional Laboratory Portfolio
Requisite elaboration/waiver:
Students must be employed in a medical laboratory and have the support and permission of their workplace supervisor for enrolment in this subject.
Description
Through laboratory experience, students identify and appraise core workplace issues including laboratory workflows, health and safety requirements, ethical conduct, risk management, organisation and collaborative skills, and record keeping. They also demonstrate their own capacity to work ethically and professionally through the development of a comprehensive Professional Laboratory Portfolio. Students engage in independent learning projects to demonstrate their ability to undertake enquiry-based tasks and effectively communicate their findings. From this, students display their own professional development and understanding of critical workplace practices.
Students should approach their Laboratory Supervisor in the first instance and discuss the requirements of this subject. A letter of support signed by the Laboratory Supervisor and countersigned by the UTS Medical Laboratory Science Program Director is required to enable enrolment.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Appraise the design and organisation of a medical laboratory and how these aspects connect to effective diagnostic outcomes. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Articulate the legal and legislative requirements for safe work practices and the importance of good quality control. |
| 3. | Contextualise examples of key protocols, procedures and applications used by a pathology discipline area. |
| 4. | Initiate research and educational projects to communicate essential laboratory concepts to target audiences. |
| 5. | Authenticate evidence of individual professional development. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically engage with the appraisal of knowledge in the context of medical laboratory science. (1.1)
- Evaluate relevant scientific literature in the investigation of complex medical and diagnostic problems by undertaking independent research. (2.1)
- Demonstrate a high-level understanding of health and safety requirements, ethical conduct, risk management, organisation and collaborative skills and record keeping in the context of a professional pathology laboratory. (3.1)
- Self-reflect and evaluate on the processes used to acquire and apply knowledge and skills within the laboratory environment. (4.1)
- Use appropriate communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, visual) to communicate medical science concepts to peers, discipline experts, scientists, industry, and the general public. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
1. Disciplinary Knowledge - Specialist knowledge of laboratory diagnosis of disease in the fields of microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and cellular pathology.
Disciplinary knowledge will be assessed through Stage 1 activities such as investigating and explaining work flow, instrumentation, quality control and specific tests conducted in your work area.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking - The ability to apply scientific methods to investigate diagnostic
techniques through experimental observation, understanding of analytical laboratory testing, critical evaluation and data analyses. Critical thinking will be assessed in your Stage 2 activities where you will present two research projects utilising different approaches to research and enquiry.
3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility - A capacity to work ethically and professionally using technical,
practical, and collaborative pathology skills within the context of the workplace and apply these to meet the current and future needs of society. This will be assessed in Stage 1 activities such as describing legislative framework, professional organisations, risk assessments and quality control.
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity - The ability to design creative solutions to contemporary diagnostic issues
using reflective practices and self-directed learning. This attribute will be assessed in your all Stage 1-3 activities where you will need to exercise internal choice and manage your time effectively. In particular during the Stage 3 activities and completion of your portfolio you have the opportunity to reflect on your learning and how it has enhanced your careeer development. .
5. Communication - Effective and professional communication skills for a range of scientific audiences.
Effective and professional communication skills will be assessed through All Stage 1-3 activities, particularly in Stage 2 activities where you will address different target audiences.
Teaching and learning strategies
Students will undertake independent learning within their workplace by completing a series of activities and projects culminating in the development of a portfolio to demonstrate their understanding of disciplinary knowledge and reflect on their own growth as a professional.
The activities are divided into three stages. The guidelines, instructions and marking rubrics for each activity will be provided in CANVAS modules.
Stage 1 includes multiple training activities for which students will be given feedback. Students have the opportunity to re-submit their work after initial review and address their feedback until all activities are completed at a satisfactory level.
Stage 2 involves the completion of two projects (i.e. research and education / training focus) and students have choice regarding the topics they wish to investigate.
Stage 3 involves the creation of a professional portfolio that can be used to demonstrate their professional development.
Students will be actively mentored and supported through this process by i) one-on-one consultations with the Subject Coordinator, ii) engagement with a workplace mentor if available, and iii) through expert-led panel discussions, if appropriate.
Content (topics)
Stage 1 - A series of workplace activities
Stage 2 - A research report and development of education materials (i.e. a choice of topics will be available to students)
Stage 3 - Portfolio creation and professional reflection
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Stage 1 - Workplace activities
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1 - Disciplinary knowledge 3 - Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4 - Reflection, Innovation, Creativity |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): , 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 3.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Recommended page ranges will be supplied for each task - Between 2-4 pages is average |
| Criteria: | Students need to demonstrate that they have completed all the activities in Stage 1 to a professional standard. Following submission of each activity, students will receive feedback and can resubmit until they have completed them to a satisfactory level (as shown in the marking rubrics for each activity). Once all activities have been completed a satisfactory level of competency, students will be awarded a full mark of 40% for Stage 1 (i.e. individual activities will not be awarded individual marks). |
Assessment task 2: Stage 2 - Projects
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 2 - Research, inquiry, and critical thinking 5 - Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Will differ depending on internal choice. |
| Criteria: | Students will submit two projects that will be assessed using a marking rubric in CANVAS. There will be internal choice regarding the projects available, and specific guidelines will be provided for each topic. |
Assessment task 3: Stage 3 - Portfolio
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1 - Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):
This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Will vary depending on the task. Recommended 1-2 pages for each task |
| Criteria: | Students will be assessed on completion of 3 different STAGE 3 activities and each will be marked against marking rubrics. They will then include these in a portfolio to showcase their professional development. |
Minimum requirements
Students must complete all Stage 1 activities to a satisfactory competency level to attain 40% of the marks. Students will be given detailed feedback and will be provided with multiple attempts in order to acheive this requirement. Students must obtain a minimum of 50% for the cumulative marks in the subject in order to pass.
Required texts
There are no prescribed textbooks for this subject but students may avail themselves of any literature provided by their workplaces if it relates to their learning activities and they have permission to do so.