Required skills

apply first aid techniques and provide basic animal care

complete relevant workrelated documents

comply with project protocols or report problems or concerns to workplace supervisor or project manager in accordance with workplace protocols and procedures

employ safe humane and environmental responsible organisation systems and procedures when handling and work with animals

identify signs of animal distress and discomfort and respond in compliance with animal welfare and workplace or project protocols

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and crossinfection

prepare and use materials tools and equipment correctly and in accordance with manufacturers specifications

take and record animals temperature pulse respiration and hydration indicators where appropriate

literacy skills to read and follow facility policies and procedures including occupational health and safety OHS infection control and waste management follow sequenced written instructions record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

oral communication skillslanguage to fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning active listening asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from supervisor

numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine workplace measures

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problemsolving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

verify precautions in application or administration of substances

Required knowledge

anatomical terminology

anatomical structures and physiological features of animals relevant to the administration of substances and collection of samples

basic animal first aid techniques

biohazards in the workplace of significance to animals and humans

ethical practices protocols and procedures in relation to the administration of substances and collection of samples of animals in animal technology workplaces

indicators of stress and wellbeing in animals and methods used to measure interpret and record objective measures of animal health

information that should be documented related to the administration of substances and collection of samples

methods used to prepare store and transport samples

organisational policies and safe work procedures including OHS and accident requirements

personal protective clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant codes of practice including the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science OHS and animal welfare and research

relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances

safe animal handling techniques including approved handling methods during the administration of substances and collection of samples

situations where the administration of substances or collection of samples should be stopped and reported

tissue and fluid sample types and methods

workplace hygiene standards disinfectants cleaning agents cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials

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 animals for substance administration and sample collection in accordance with legislative ethical and approved workplace project protocols

calculate dose rates prepare and administer substances as directed by supervisor and in accordance with legislative ethical and approved workplace project protocols

collect samples of body tissue and fluids from animals in accordance with legislative ethical and approved workplace project protocols

prepare samples in accordance with workplace protocols and project requirements

document procedures used in the administration of substances and collection of samples and any events that occur

The skills and knowledge required to conduct nonsurgical procedures on animals 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

All activities and procedures must be performed in accordance with animal welfare legislation ethical and approved project protocols under supervision of a senior or more experienced staff member

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal technology research facility or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions

There must be access to a range of research animals as well as relevant information equipment andor resources to enable one to demonstrate competence

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in ones performance competency should be demonstrated to industry defined standards on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities

The assessment strategies must include practical skills assessment Suggested strategies for this unit are

written andor oral assessment of candidates required knowledge

observed documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

thirdparty evidence

workplace documentation

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 eg literacy and numeracy demands and the needs of particular target groups eg 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

Sample requirements may include:

Techniques to minimise stress and discomfort may include:

Risks associated with preparation and administration of substances may include:

Monitoring of animals during administration of substances or during recovery may include:

Emergency response requirements may include:

Animal and project records may include: