The Laboratory Analysis PEAC considers the skills required for laboratory work (Chemist and Biologist) and has been developed by employers and academics.
From these meetings with forensic employers, practitioners and academics it was considered that there were two key types of core skills important in providing reassurance to employers that any new employees can carry out the initial, necessary, basic tasks required in a laboratory, these being general transferable skills and key practical skills. The following general transferable skills were identified as:
- Integrity, lateral thinking, ability to challenge and question appropriately, critical (constructive) analysis
- Note taking, technical expertise, translating skills, contamination, knowledge and understanding of ISO standards and quality management systems, calibration
- Compliance to method/process, ability to follow procedure, health & safety PPE/COSHH, manual handling/lifting, experimental design
- Manipulation to trace evidence, colour assessment, measurement - length, volume etc. use of calculation of units (both Imperial and SI), photography, motor skills, dilutions/concentrations - pipette usage, calibration
The importance of these basic skills can be reflected as elements in various assessment scenarios. For example the assessment model for testing these skills would be to give a candidate a straightforward protocol, the person would have to follow the protocol and process, involving some weighing, measuring, and covering a number of items on the above list of fundamentals. A range of the transferable skills can be covered within each assessment. The advantage not just for employers but also for graduates would be to help make them comfortable within a laboratory.
On the day of the practical assessment Candidates should bring with them the following:
- photo ID (passport, driving licence or laminated Student ID card) together with a printed copy of the CSFS confirmation of booking.
- a pen, pencil and ruler.
- a calculator (but not via a mobile/smart phone). Certain calculations (e.g. programmable) may only be used if approved by the Delivery Manager. The Certified Assessment Centres (CACs) can provide scientific calculators if programmable ones are deemed to be unsuitable.
- Questions will be allowed during the assessment sessions but purely for clarification. Only on occasions when the answer could impact on the whole cohort will it be relayed to all candidates.
The Society aims to make this assessment accessible to any candidate who may benefit from undertaking it. Candidates with disabilities or Individual Learning Plans (ILP) should contact us at info@csofs.org. The details of any disability or ILP should be sent to the Society within 3 working days of booking.