Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for non-surgical procedures
- Verify procedures and sample requirements according to legislative and ethical requirements
- Confirm sample methods
- Calculate dose rates for species and individual animals
- Prepare and position required equipment
- Plan procedures to ensure appropriate hygiene or asepsis is achieved and prevent cross-contamination of animals and equipment
- Prepare animals for procedure
- Select animals to meet project requirements
- Handle and restrain animals according to organisational procedures
- Move animals to testing area and prepare for procedure using techniques to minimise stress and discomfort
- Manage work practices to ensure animals are kept in preparation and procedure areas for minimal time
- Administer substances to animals
- Confirm approved substances and dose rates are appropriate for species and individual animals
- Confirm method of administration of substances
- Identify and evaluate risks associated with preparation and administration of substances; practise emergency procedures and implement as required
- Administer substances to animals according to organisational procedures
- Monitor animals for adverse reactions
- Collect samples from animals
- Confirm sampling techniques and sample collection volumes are appropriate for individual animals
- Identify and evaluate hazards in collection process, and practise emergency procedures and respond to emergencies as required
- Collect, process, package and store body fluid and tissue samples using appropriate techniques
- Check samples for suitability and prepare and package according to laboratory and project protocols
- Complete post-procedure duties
- Return animals to housing, and monitor and respond according to organisational procedures, laboratory schedule and project protocol
- Update and store animal and project records in the organisational management system
- Clean procedures area and equipment and dispose of waste according to laboratory protocols and industry standards