About Pre conference course G - BSO Hard Skills: How do you know what you need to know?

Instructors
Wendy Shell (AUT) and Chris Pirson (UK)

This one-day classroom based, interactive course will give participants an insight into the key technical skills for a successful career in biosafety or biosecurity. For those starting out in the role or considering a career as a Biosafety professional it is necessary to demonstrate competency in several key areas, as defined in Technical Standards such as CWA 16335 and ISO/TS 5441. Through case studies, interactive group exercises and taught learning this course will ensure attendees are able to develop their own training pathway to becoming a Biosafety professional. It will enable individuals to identify gaps in current knowledge, skills or experience and the development opportunities to address these, along with accreditation schemes to demonstrate competency.

Learning objectives:

• Examine and understand the key technical skills required in a career in biosafety and biosecurity and the difference between hard skills and soft skills
• Identify the certification opportunities for biosafety professionals
• Examine the challenges of biosafety and biosecurity across borders (legislation, classification and transport) and the knowledge required to overcome these
• Give attendees an understanding of the technical knowledge required for facility design and equipment maintenance
• Identify the skills and knowledge required to assess validation of processes, such as decontamination, in various settings.
• Give attendees a grounding in international legislation covering the work with biological agents (human, animal and plant pathogens) and genetically modified organisms (contained use and deliberate release)
• Examine different approaches to risk assessment techniques to address varying situations (e.g. new and emerging pathogens, new equipment)

Target audience:

This course will be useful for attendees at all career stages, but particularly impactful for those towards the beginning of their career.

Citation of the respective sections of ISO/TS 5441 Biosafety professional competence:

• 7.2.2.2 Hazard and threat identification and analysis
• 7.2.2.3 Risk assessment
• 7.2.2.4 Risk mitigation
• 7.2.4.1 Facility (re)design, construction, commissioning, decommissioning, validation, operation, and maintenance
• 7.2.4.2 Containment principles
• 7.2.4.3 Selection, verification, certification, and maintenance of equipment
• 7.2.5.3 Infection control, disinfection and decontamination
• 7.2.5.4 Biological waste management
• 7.2.5.6 Transport of biological material
• 7.2.7 International and national regulatory framework, standards, guidelines, and conventions
• 7.3 Competencies relevant for specific work areas

Main topics

• Hard (technical) skills in a career in biosafety / biosecurity
• Accreditation and certification schemes for biosafety professionals
• International Legislation in relation to the work with biological agents and GMOs
• Process validation approaches
• Application of risk assessment to address new or dynamic situations
• Career and development pathway opportunities
• Facility design and equipment maintenance