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Medical Laboratory Practice unit (CXA401)

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Unit year 2026

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Location: Launceston

Introduction

This is a professional experience placement (PEP) unit, undertaken while off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. Students develop an holistic view of the role of the diagnostic pathology laboratory in the health-care industry, with added focus on professional issues, codes of conduct and ethics, work health and safety and laboratory accreditation. Students are subject to the rules and regulations of the host laboratory, supervised by laboratory staff. This unit, in conjunction with CXA412 and/or CXA425 (Medical Laboratory Placement 1 & 2) comprise a full semester unit weighting with an assessment workload appropriate for a 4th year semester.

Summary

Unit name Medical Laboratory Practice
Unit code CXA401
Credit points 12.5
College/School Health
School of Health Sciences
Discipline Health Sciences
Coordinator Ms Jane Pittaway
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Honours

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Launceston Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Launceston Semester 2 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Launceston Trimester This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 22/2/2026 16/3/2026 19/4/2026 13/6/2026
Trimester 1/11/2026 23/11/2026 23/12/2026 13/2/2027
Semester 2 5/7/2026 27/7/2026 30/8/2026 24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify, analyse and evaluate some laboratory protocols and procedures.
  • Communicate professional information about laboratory procedures and protocols to a professional audience.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
019901 $1,192.00 $1,192.00 not applicable $2,862.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

CXA315, CXA300 and CXA301 Integrated Laboratory Medicine and [(CXA332 and CXA333) or (CXA342 and CXA343) or (CXA352)]

Co-requisites

CXA412 and CXA425

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Seminar online (3hrs x 1 time), Online workshop (15hrs over 3 days), Researching for & writing assignments (5hrs x weekly)

AssessmentRisk assessment (15%)|Quality Control Assignment (20%)|Theory examination (30%)|Oral Presentation & Abstract (35%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Access to your host laboratory’s Work, Health, and Safety manual (Risk Assessment assignment).
Recommended

Lecture, tutorial and practical notes and texts previously used during the professional units of the course (particularly in preparation for the final exam).

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.