Required skills

employ keen observation skills

follow the clinic policy manual and relevant OHS requirements

literacy skills to read select and apply policies and procedures including OHS and other clinic policies and procedures follow sequenced written instructions and record patient details accurately and legibly

oral communication skills language required to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic including questioning techniques active listening asking for clarification from the owner consulting with the duty veterinarian and communicating core clinic regimes

numeracy skills required to estimate calculate and record routine workplace measures

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

problemsolving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use and record the use of chemicals and medicines in accordance with relevant state or territory legislation

Required knowledge

clinic policies and procedures

core clinic regimes such as vaccinations flea control worming heartworm and animals basic nutritional requirements

recognisable normal and abnormal vital signs

relevant legislation and regulations including OHS animal welfare and the sale of medications and animal treatments

specific patient admission and discharge documentation requirements

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

identify patients and compile accurate patient and client histories

recognise emergency situations and report these immediately to the duty veterinarian or clinic nurse as applicable

communicate effectively with the veterinarian and clinic clientele and follow instructions

comply strictly with clinic policies OHS and other relevant legislative requirements

handle and restrain animals in a safe and humane manner

maintain clinic records and follow basic office routines

The skills and knowledge required to carry out veterinary nursing reception duties 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 a veterinary practice or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions

There must be access to the relevant information equipment andor resources to enable one to demonstrate competenceAssessment must cover a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups mammals birds reptiles amphibians fish and invertebrates

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 and cases and where possible 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

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

Patient and client histories may include:

Range of animal species may include:

Documentation may include:

Emergency situations may include:

Clinic policies may include:

Animal restraints that may be used include:

Note: Chemical restraints are excluded.

OHS and legislative requirements may include:

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

Interpersonal skills may require:

Customer information needs may include:

Personal and professional limitations may include:

Clinic records may include:

Office routines may include: