The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

prepare surgical instruments and equipment, including surgical packs, in an aseptic environment ready for surgery

carry out preoperative processes

prepare animals for anaesthesia and surgical procedures and administer analgesics as directed by the veterinarian

handle and restrain animals in a safe and ethical manner

provide effective sterile and/or non-sterile support to the veterinarian during surgical procedures

monitor patients' vital signs and anaesthesia during surgery

provide post-operative care for animals and post-operative advice for clients

communicate effectively with the veterinarian and clients.

The skills and knowledge required to carry out surgical nursing routines must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment for this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a veterinary nursing workplace with access to the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, patients, cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Required skills

Ability to:

assist the veterinarian safely and effectively as directed

clean and sterilise surgical equipment as required

employ keen observation skills

follow workplace health and safety and clinic policies and procedures

handle animals safely and ensure their health and welfare are maintained in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements

recognise, respond to and assist with emergencies

use, record, store and dispose of chemicals and medicines in accordance with relevant state or territory legislation

use literacy skills to read, select and implement policies and procedures, including workplace health and safety, infection control and other clinic policies and procedures; coordinate patient admission and discharge; implement sequenced written instructions; and record patient details accurately and legibly

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

use oral communication skills/language required to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic, including negotiating and questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from veterinarian, and acknowledging and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills required to prepare veterinary medicines

use problem-solving skills to use available resources, prioritise tasks and select, prepare and clean/sterilise instruments and equipment as directed

work as part of a team and in close working arrangements with the supervising veterinarian.

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

animal anatomy and physiology related to surgical nursing routines

anaesthetic agents, including injectable and gaseous compounds and the planes and stages of anaesthesia

anaesthetic monitoring techniques

aseptic techniques, including general theatre etiquette, dress rules and restricted areas

dangers related to exposure to anaesthetic agents

equipment in both the theatre and preparation areas, including clippers, vacuum cleaner, specific surgical equipment and ear tattoo instruments

legislative requirements and health regulations for the storage, use and disposal of chemicals and biological debris from veterinary procedures

range of common and non-routine surgical instruments

range of anaesthetic equipment, including vaporisers, cycle systems, tubing, re-breathing systems and scavenger systems

relevant state or territory legislative requirements for animal welfare

resuscitation techniques

skin antiseptics used and their actions

sterilisation techniques, including working knowledge of the operation of autoclaves and an awareness of alternative sterilisation techniques, including gamma irradiation, ethylene oxide and chemical sterilisation and their associated health hazards

various surgical procedures and the appropriate equipment

Veterinary Practitioner Acts and Regulations.

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Surgical procedures may include:

procedures for both small and large animals, including orthopaedic, ophthalmic and soft tissue

defined surgical procedures, including diathermy and cryosurgery.

Pre-operative care advice may include:

fasting and limited fluid intake.

Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Sourcing surgical packs may include:

identifying which packs are required for which procedures

grouping packs for each patient and adding extra requirements, such as:

bandaging equipment

scalpel blades

suture materials.

Pre-operative processes may include but are not limited to:

weighing patients

noting patient's previous experience with general anaesthetic

accessing blankets, protective gloves and anaesthetic boxes

aseptic preparation of operating areas and injection sites

selecting appropriate endotracheal tubes

preparing correct quantities of anaesthetic agents under veterinary supervision

administering necessary premedication, medication and analgesia under veterinary supervision.

Animal preparation may include:

applying restraining devices:

muzzles, rearing bits, head collars, halters or hobbles

clipping, shaving and pre-surgical skin preparation routines

further preparation under veterinary supervision may extend to:

administration of necessary premedication, intubation and the insertion of intravenous or urinary catheters

preparation of equipment and materials for intravenous infusions.

Use and types of analgesics may include:

administration of analgesics may be used for the provision of:

pre-emptive analgesia

inter-operative analgesia

post-operative analgesia

analgesia types administered by the veterinarian or under veterinary supervision:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

narcotic and other analgesics.

Sterile assistance may include:

nurse may be required to scrub-up, glove, cap and gown in order to provide sterile equipment in a sterile field.

Routines may include:

adjustment of lights, equipment and the patient as directed by the surgeon

presentation, alignment and exposure of the surgical site as directed by the surgeon

presentation of sterile packs, individual instruments, equipment and suturing materials

receiving, preparation and dispatch of pathological samples under veterinary supervision.

Types of anaesthesia may include:

gaseous and injectable preparations

intermittent positive pressure ventilations.

Pain and vital signs monitoring and recording may include:

audible, visual or measured signs of pain:

arching back

behavioural changes

biting and kicking

displacement of bones

elevated temperature

increased respiration

increased vocalisation

withdrawal of affected limbs

straining

trembling and changes in normal physiology

vital signs and reflexes monitored under anaesthesia:

blood pressure

pulse rate and quality

respiratory rate and effort

rectal temperature

pulse oximetry and blood gases

anaesthesia depth

capillary refill time

palpebral reflex

heart rate

mucous membrane colour

pedal withdrawal reflex.

Emergency procedures related to anaesthesia may be required for:

anaesthetic emergencies

haemorrhage

hypothermia or hyperthermia

respiratory distress

shock.

Post-operative anaesthesia procedures may include:

continued monitoring of vital signs

extubation

monitoring wounds, bandages and surgical sites for any abnormalities

positioning of patient recumbency in consideration of recovery phase and surgical site and adjustment of intravenous fluid therapy rates as directed by the surgeon.

Abnormalities may include:

post-operative abnormalities in wounds and surgical sites:

haemorrhage or other exudation

swelling and self-trauma

other abnormalities:

cold extremities

delayed recovery

increased heart rate

increased respiratory rate or abdominal distension

low body temperature

pale mucous membranes.

Post-operative patient management procedures may include:

care and continued monitoring of vital signs and observation of abnormalities prior to an animal's release

advice to the owner, in line with veterinarian's instructions, regarding administering medicine, general care and follow-up treatment and/or follow-up visits.