Required skills include

administer superovulation regimen to donor female mice

apply animal care and ethics committee classification system to determine procedures that require approval

calculate dosage administer drugs including anaesthetics analgesics hormones and monitor response in accordance with project protocols and workplace standards

check animals physical conditions and vital signs and monitor for signs of progress or deterioration in condition or health of animals

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling animals materials and equipment

identify sex age and reproductive status of male and female animals

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

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

prepare and maintain appropriate records and reports relevant to breeding and technical procedures using relevant institutional electronic andor manual systems

prepare store and handle proprietary embryo media

use biosafety andor laminar flow cabinets

use literacy skills to read interpret and apply institution policies and procedures including OHS infection control containment and exclusion and waste management critically analyse material and record information collected accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the institution including questioning active listening asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from research groups team members senior or more experienced staff or other relevant persons

use problemsolving skills to use available information and resources including recording information and prioritise daily tasks

use numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe and hygienic waste handling and disposal procedures

Required knowledge includes

anatomical and physiological features of mice related to vasectomy embryo collection and transfer

applicable industry quality assurance requirements and required documentation

aseptic techniques

biosecurity issues relating to the collection of samples from animals

institutional policies and safe work procedures including OHS and emergency procedures

methods used to collect store and manipulate embryos from mice for rederivation purposes

methods use to perform embryo transfer procedures in mice

mouse oogenesis ovulation conception and embryonic development

principles of constitution storage and use of proprietary embryo flushing holding and culture media

principles of superovulation regimens for mice

principles of surgery relevant to vasectomy embryo collection and transfer

relevant anaesthetics analgesics and other medications used and methods of administration for mouse surgery

relevant laboratory techniques and procedures

relevant principles of animal welfare and ethics

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

relevant common diseases injuries and other impacts on mouse health and wellbeing and characteristics of healthy sick or distressed mice

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science OHS and animal welfare and research including the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

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

reproductive cycles relating to mouse embryo technology

safe mouse handling techniques including approved handling methods during the administration of substances and surgical procedures

workplace hygiene standards disinfectants cleaning agents cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials and infection control protocols

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 competence 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

comply with institutional protocols policies and procedures including Animal Ethics Committee and legislative requirements including OHS at all times

read and verify breeding program requirements

identify verify health status and prepare suitable animals for embryo collection and embryo transfer procedures

under supervision conduct embryo collection and transfer procedures for rederivation purposes

monitor the health and welfare of animals during and after procedures and provide appropriate care

maintain and update records in accordance with regulatory and project documentation requirements

The skills and knowledge required to assist to collect and transfer embryos of mice 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 of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal research or production facility or an environment that simulates normal work conditions that has a scientific establishment licence and access to an approved Animal Ethics Committee

There must be access to a range of research animals and the relevant information materials and documentation to enable one to demonstrate competence

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in ones performance competency should be demonstrated to industry defined standards on at least two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and over a number of assessment activities

The assessment strategy 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

case study analysis

thirdparty 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 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

Institutional standard operating procedures may include:

Procedures that require Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) approval may include:

Relevant legislative requirements may include:

OHS risks associated with animal technician procedures may include:

Breeding program may include:

PPE may include:

Health status considerations may include:

Anaesthetic, analgesics and equipment may include:

Preparation for aseptic surgery may include:

Monitoring during recovery may include:

Stages of oestrus cycle may include:

Preparation for super-ovulation may include:

Embryo preparations for transfer may include: