Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Laboratory Management Systems (Level 6)
Version
1
Type
Certificate
Level
6
Credits
60
NZSCED
010000
Natural and Physical Sciences
Qualification developer
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
Next review
December 2019
Approval date
January 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide commercial
enterprises in Aotearoa New Zealand with people who are able
to manage systems, including data integrity and security, in a
science laboratory according to international standards and
protocols.
This qualification is for people who have significant experience in
a scientific workplace and who want to develop skills and
knowledge in the management of laboratory systems.
Outcome Statement
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
-
prepare a laboratory for a quality systems audit.
-
develop, implement and monitor quality systems.
-
manage procurement of chemicals and instrumentation,
contracts for services and organisation of laboratory data.
Education pathway
This qualification builds on the New Zealand Diploma in Applied
Science (Level 6) [Ref: 2553].
Employment pathway
Graduates of this certificate can work in laboratories in positions
as technical managers or quality managers.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification will be awarded by the accredited organisation
with which the learner is enrolled.
The formal document certifying the award of this certificate will
display the title of the qualification, the date of issue and/or
award, the logo of the NZQF, the NZQF reference number, and
the name and/or logo of the awarding body.
Qualification Reference 2554
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 1 of 3
Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency
All tertiary education organisations (TEOs) either arranging
training or delivering programmes that lead to the award of the
qualification are required to participate in a consistency process
scheduled by NZQA.
This will involve review of evidence associated with graduate’s
achievement of outcomes, and agreeing acceptable thresholds
for qualification outcome achievement, and areas for
improvement.
To demonstrate how graduates are achieving the qualification
graduate profile outcomes, TEOs are required to produce their
own evidence in a high level report.
Evidence may include the following:

Programme statistics such as completion data and
graduate destination data

Graduate portfolios at the programme level
demonstrating that graduates meet the graduate profile
outcomes.

Evidence from internal and/or external moderation
processes.

Documentation of processes that ensure programmes
continue to meet current industry needs.

Next user feedback such as employer surveys.

Any other relevant evidence as appropriate.
Further information about the consistency process can be found
at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/consistency-ofgraduate-outcomes/
Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements
Education providers must have policies and procedures in place
for managing credit transfer, and assessing recognition of prior
learning and recognition of current competency. These policies
and procedures, and information about associated fees, must be
available to the candidate prior to enrolment.
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
Achievement of all outcomes. There are no grade endorsements
for this qualification.
Entry requirements (including
prerequisites to meet regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
Candidates must have worked for a minimum of three years in a
laboratory. It is recommended that candidates hold a minimum
of a level 6 qualification in a science-related discipline.
Entry requirements will be set by the providers.
Qualification conditions
Overarching conditions relating to the qualification
Qualification Reference 2554
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 2 of 3
Conditions for programme
structure
A minimum of 100 hours’ relevant work-based learning is
recommended.
The maximum length of time to complete the programme will be
determined by the programme owner.
Conditions for programme
context
The context must be laboratory based. Any work-based training
should be relevant to the work-based provider’s policies and
procedures.
Other conditions
The focus of this qualification must be natural and physical
sciences as defined by NZSCED (01).
TEOs arranging training or delivering programmes towards this
qualification must ensure that the training arranged and
programmes of learning delivered, are kept up-to-date with
regard to amendments to, and replacements of relevant
legislation and regulations.
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
Mandatory
or Optional
1
An understanding of quality systems is implicit.
Mandatory
condition
Programmes must include:
Mandatory
condition
Prepare a laboratory for a
quality systems audit.
Credits 20
2
Develop, implement and
monitor quality systems.

the use of statistical evidence and results of
audit and review processes

legislative requirements and codes of
practice pertaining to employee safety,
hazardous material handling, and new
organism containment.
Credits 20
3
Manage procurement of
chemicals and
instrumentation, contracts for
services and organisation of
laboratory data.
Management must be relevant to a laboratory
context.
Mandatory
condition
Programmes must include data integrity and
security.
Credits 20
Qualification Reference 2554
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 3 of 3