2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Biotechnology Laboratory Specialist
Career Cluster:	Health Science

CCC	
CIP Number	0341010101	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	30 credit hours	
CTSO	HOSA: Future Health Professionals; Skills USA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	19-4021 Biological Technicians
	
Targeted Occupation List	http://www.labormarketinfo.com/wec/TargetOccupationList.htm	
Perkins Technical Skill Attainment Inventory	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/perkins/perkins_resources.asp 	
Statewide Articulation	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp 	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Biotechnology AS degree program (1341010100).   

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster. 

This program offers a sequence of Biotechnology, Chemistry, Statistics, and Health courses providing sound workforce content along with both academic preparation and industry-standard technical skills needed to advance education and careers in the biotechnology career cluster.  This certificate provides for development of technical ability, including competency-based applied learning to develop and enhance academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the biotechnology career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to broad biology and chemistry concepts, statistical analysis, documentation procedures, basic and advanced laboratory techniques and concepts, working in a regulated environment, and biohazard and safety procedures

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the role of biotechnology in biomedicine, industry, agriculture and the environment. 
02.0	Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively. 
03.0	Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities. 
04.0	Recognize and practice safety and security procedures. 
05.0	Recognize and practice laboratory contamination and reagent  control procedures
06.0	Demonstrate an understanding of information technology applications in biotechnology. 
07.0	Demonstrate employability skills. 
08.0	Demonstrate Collegiality and Team skills
09.0	Apply basic math and science skills. 
10.0	Demonstrate communication skills.
11.0	Demonstrate safety skills.
12.0	Demonstrate basic laboratory skills.
13.0	Demonstrate regulatory compliance.
14.0	Demonstrate appropriate decision making and problem solving techniques.
15.0	Demonstrate specific laboratory skills.
16.0	Demonstrate quality assurance/control.
17.0	Maintain facility & equipment
18.0	Demonstrate an understanding of proper care/use of test animals/plants. 

2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Biotechnology Laboratory Specialist
CIP Number:	0341010101
Program Length:	30 credit hours 
SOC Code(s):		19-4021

This certificate program is part of the Biotechnology AS degree program (1326061600).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:
	
01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the role of biotechnology in biomedicine, industry, agriculture and the environment. – The student will be able to:	
01.01	Identify the applications of biotechnology in academia, medicine and industry.	
01.02	Recognize the different types of employment positions in biomedical, industrial, agricultural, and related biotechnology fields. 	
01.03	Describe the differences between academic research and biotechnology industrial applications. 	
01.04	Identify the different training skills need to work in the biotechnology industry.	
01.05	Explain the impact of emerging issues including technology, epidemiology, bioethics and socioeconomics on biotechnology. 	
02.0	Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively. – The student will be able to:	
02.01	Develop basic speaking and active listening skills.	
02.02	Develop basic observational skills and related documentation strategies in written and oral form.	
02.03	Identify characteristics of successful and unsuccessful communication including communication styles and barriers. 	
02.04	Respond to verbal and non-verbal cues. 	
02.05	Compose written communication using correct spelling, grammar, a formatting and confidentiality and specific formats of letter writing.	
02.06	Use appropriate scientific and medical terminology and abbreviations. 	
02.07	Recognize the importance of courtesy and respect for others and maintain good interpersonal relationships. 	
02.08	Adapt communication skills to varied levels of understanding and cultural orientation including diverse age, cultural, economic, ethnic and religious groups. 	
02.09	Analyze elements of communication using a sender-receiver model.	
02.10	Distinguish between and report subjective and objective information. 	
02.11	Report relevant information in order of occurrence. 	
03.0	Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities. – The student will be able to:	
03.01	Explain practices that could result in malpractice, liability, negligence, abandonment, false imprisonment and fraud. 	
03.02	Demonstrate procedures for accurate documentation and record keeping. 	
03.03	Differentiate between legal and ethical issues in research and industry.	
03.04	Describe a code of ethics consistent with research occupations. 	
03.05	Identify and compare personal, professional, and organizational ethics. 	
04.0	Recognize and practice safety and security procedures. – The student will be able to:	
04.01	Recognize safe and unsafe working conditions and report safety hazards.  	
04.02	Demonstrate personal safety procedures based on Occupations Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regulations (including standard precautions). 	
04.03	Recognize Materials Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) and comply with safety signs, symbols and labels. 	
04.04	Demonstrate proper body mechanics and ergonomics. 	
04.05	Describe fire, safety, disaster and evacuation procedures. 	
04.06	Discuss biohazard trash stream control.  	
04.07	Demonstrate procedures for declaring a laboratory emergency and/or responding with appropriate institutional procedures.	
05.0	Recognize and practice laboratory contamination and reagent  control procedures. – The student will be able to:	
05.01	Define principles of contamination control including standard and transmission based precautions.	
05.02	Demonstrate knowledge of asepsis and practice procedures such as hand-washing and isolation. 	
05.03	Demonstrate knowledge of chemical cross-contamination control between reagents from weighing implements, storage containers and media. 	
05.04	Describe how to dispose correctly of biohazardous materials according to appropriate government guidelines such as OSHA. 	
05.05	Describe how to receive materials and recognize out-of-date or expired reagents. 	
06.0	Demonstrate an understanding of information technology applications in biotechnology. – The student will be able to:	
06.01	Describe technology applications in biotechnology. 	
06.02	Define terms and demonstrate basic computer skills. 	
06.03	Recognize differences between primary scientific references and secondary information sources. 	
06.04	Identify methods of communication to access and distribute data such as fax, e-mail and internet. 	
07.0	Demonstrate employability skills. – The student will be able to:	
07.01	Identify personal traits or attitudes desirable in a member of the team. 	
07.02	Exemplify basic professional standards of workers as they apply to hygiene, dress, language, confidentiality and behavior (i.e. telephone etiquette, courtesy and self-introductions). 	
07.03	Identify documents that may be required when applying for a job. 	
07.04	Write an appropriate resume. 	
07.05	Conduct a job search. 	
07.06	Complete a job application form correctly.	
07.07	Recognize and examine levels of education, credentialing requirements including licensure and certification, employment opportunities, workplace environments and career growth potential. 	
07.08	Identify acceptable work habits. 	
07.09	Recognize appropriate affective/professional behavior. 	
07.10	Compare careers within the biotechnology industry, analytical testing and research science career pathways (bioinformatics, pharmacogenomics, testing and analytical services, diagnostic services, therapeutic services, health informatics, bioinformatics, formulation, support services or biotechnology research and development). 	
08.0	Demonstrate Collegiality and Team skills– The student will be able to:	
08.01	Identify the general roles and responsibilities of the   individual members of the team. 	
08.02	Identify characteristics of effective teams. 	
08.03	Recognize methods for building positive team relationships.	
08.04	Analyze attributes and attitudes of an effective leader. 	
08.05	Recognize factors and situations that may lead to conflict.	
08.06	Demonstrate effective techniques for managing team conflict. 	
09.0	Apply basic math and science skills. – The student will be able to:	
09.01	Draw, read, and report on graphs, charts and tables.	
09.02	Measure time, temperature, distance, capacity, and mass/weight.	
09.03	Make, use and convert using both traditional and metric units. 	
09.04	Make estimations and approximations and judge the reasonableness of the result.	
09.05	Convert from regular to 24 hour time.	
09.06	Demonstrate ability to evaluate and draw conclusions.	
09.07	Organize and communicate the results obtained by observation and experimentation.	
09.08	Ask appropriate scientific questions and recognize what is involved in experimental approaches to the solution of such questions.	
09.09	Calculate ratios	
10.0	Demonstrate communication skills as related to biotechnology. – The student will be able to:	
10.01	Make professional oral & written presentations.	
10.02	Comprehend and use correct technical vocabulary.	
10.03	Follow/analyze protocol.	
10.04	Keep accurate records.	
10.05	Take notes on procedures.	
10.06	Write or update SOP’s protocols, reports and technical summaries.	
10.07	Perform computerized research and web searches.	
10.08	Perform basic applications in word processing, spread sheets, databases, presentations and project management.	
10.09	Navigate the internet.	
11.0	Demonstrate safety skills. – The student will be able to:	
11.01	Identify first aid supplies, co-worker contact, medical information, and emergency protection and evacuation plan.	
11.02	Follow correct safety procedures, guidelines and chemical hygiene plans.	
11.03	Maintain required safety training.	
11.04	Maintain a safe work area.	
11.05	Maintain and utilize safety equipment & personal protection equipment.	
11.06	Check expiration dates, lot numbers & labels for hazards.	
11.07	Monitor usage and exposure of biohazards.	
11.08	Handle, store and dispose of hazardous materials per MSDS, other safety guidelines & Worker Protection Standards (WPS).	
11.09	Follow standard precautions for biological pathogens.	
11.10	Store chemicals and biologicals according to storage guidelines.	
12.0	Demonstrate basic laboratory skills. – The student will be able to:	
12.01	Obtain and read protocol, test procedure, standard operating procedure (SOP) & proper forms.	
12.02	Prioritize & perform multiple tasks in a timely manner.	
12.03	Clean, organize and sterilize materials, when required.	
12.04	Check and maintain equipment, logs & perform preventative maintenance tasks according to schedule.	
12.05	Order inventory of supplies; date/label reagents.	
12.06	Practice aseptic technique.	
12.07	Use titration/pipetting techniques; measure volume/weights.	
12.08	Perform basic calculations and statistical analysis.	
12.09	Calculate and prepare dilutions series.	
12.10	Prepare solutions and reagents for laboratory use.	
12.11	Obtain and review appropriate procedures & test forms.	
12.12	Collect and set up samples for analysis.	
12.13	Set up general laboratory tests, including, setup equipment and instrumentation & perform/document tests and results.	
13.0	Demonstrate regulatory compliance. – The student will be able to:	
13.01	Accept state, local and industry regulations.	
13.02	Comply with principles using current Good Experimental Practices (GXP).	
14.0	Demonstrate appropriate decision making and problem solving techniques. – The student will be able to:	
14.01	Identify decision to be made and compare alternatives.	
14.02	Apply decision making skills in the workplace.	
14.03	Make decisions based on values and goals.	
14.04	Evaluate the decision made.	
14.05	Apply problem solving techniques in the workplace.	
14.06	Be sensitive to multicultural & nonsexist dimensions of problem solving.	
15.0	Demonstrate specific laboratory skills. – The student will be able to:	
15.01	Identify and quantify microorganisms and cells using manual & automated systems.	
15.02	Isolate, maintain & store pure cultures	
15.03	Harvest cells & recover effluent products.	
15.04	Decontaminate and/or dispose of equipment, glassware, biologicals.	
15.05	Perform microbiology skills, including but not limited to, plating techniques, isolating and characterizing cell lines. 	
15.06	Perform immunological techniques, including but not limited to, enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays, use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, and Western blot techniques. 	
15.07	Perform genetic engineering and molecular biology techniques, including isolate & analyze nucleic acid isolation, polymerase chain reaction, and construct recombinant vectors.	
15.08	Perform additional specific skills, including but not limited to electrophoresis of RNA, DNA & proteins.	
15.09	Separate, isolate or characterize proteins, including but not limited to, monitoring protein stability, disrupt cells, protein gels, Western blotting, precipitate soluble proteins, concentrate (filter & dialyze) proteins, quantitative proteins, and enzyme activity assays.	
15.10	Perform chemical assays including measuring turbidity, viscosity, & density, quantitative analysis, distillation techniques, titration techniques, employing dyes and indicators, lypholization & organic chemistry techniques, and perform extractions 	
16.0	Demonstrate quality assurance/ control. – The student will be able to:	
16.01	Perform quality tests and document results.	
16.02	Verify test standards and maintain QA records.	
16.03	Archive samples and documents.	
17.0	Maintain facility & equipment. – The student will be able to:	
17.01	Monitor/record the environmental condition of the facility refrigerators, freezers and incubators. 	
17.02	Notify appropriate personnel if sampling indicates a problem.	
17.03	Clean work area according to SOPs.	
17.04	Label equipment.	
17.05	Check calibration & perform systems diagnostics	
17.06	Perform or schedule preventive maintenance.	
17.07	Maintain equipment logs.	
17.08	Demonstrate use of common tools including wrenches, pliers, and drivers used to maintain equipment and attach gear, such as gas cylinders and hoses. 	
18.0	Demonstrate an understanding of proper care/use of test animals/plants. – The student will be able to:	
18.01	Explain the special requirements of receiving and transporting animals.	
18.02	Demonstrate knowledge of a vivarium.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program.  These activities include instruction in the use of safety procedures, tools, equipment, materials, and processes related to these occupations.  Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. 

Special Notes

This program is designed to prepare students for employment as Biotechnology Research Technicians, Biological Technicians (SOC Code 19-4021) or cell culture technicians or biotechnology manufacturing technician and/or to supply supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupation

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

HOSA: Future Health Professionals is the appropriate career and technical student organization for providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills.  Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered.  The activities of such organizations are defined as part of the curriculum in accordance with Rule 6A-6.065, F.A.C.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access.  Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors.  Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education.  Accommodations change the way the student is instructed.  Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems.  Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Articulation

For details on articulation agreements which correlate to programs and industry certifications refer to http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp.