Laboratory Skills for PCAs Part 2 

Build upon your foundational laboratory knowledge by mastering advanced sample handling, health and safety protocols for formalin, and professional packaging techniques.

  • PCA

  • 1 hour

      Overview

      This course is designed for Patient Care Assistants who have completed 'Laboratory Skills Part 1' and possess a solid understanding of running a laboratory. We delve deeper into the everyday tasks of a first-opinion lab, with a specific focus on the health and safety implications of working with formalin and large histology samples. You will learn the best ways to advise clients on urine and faecal sample collection, ensuring the use of appropriate containers. Additionally, the course covers the correct procedures for packaging various samples—including large tissue—to be sent to external laboratories via courier or Royal Mail.

      Intended learning outcomes

      By the end of this course, you should be able to:
      • Consider the health and safety implications of the use of formalin for tissue samples in practice
      • Distinguish the appropriate containers to use for urine and faecal samples and how to inform clients of this
      • Identify a lateral flow test and snap test and how to use them according to manufacturer's guidelines
      • Identify the components required for packaging lab samples, including large tissue samples for histology
      “I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.”
      HERMANN HESSE, SIDDHARTHA