Required skills

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and disinfection at all times to reduce the risks of infection and crossinfection

quickly and accurately measure and monitor the vital signs of animals in care

recognise early signs of clinical cases such as diarrhoea pain or unexpected bleeding and implement appropriate responses

recognise abnormality in any given patient through regular observation

use positive animal behaviour responses

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 skillslanguage required to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic including questioning techniques active listening asking for clarification from the owner and consulting with the duty veterinarian

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

use store and control veterinary medicines in a careful manner

Required knowledge

animal first aid procedures and the limits when professional help is not available to which they should be applied

animal vital signs and expected normal ranges

clinic policies including OHS requirements

clinic security procedures

consequences of administering prescribed medication to animals

daily clinic routine procedures including clipping nails beaks and feathers

disinfectants cleaning agents and techniques

hazards associated with the use misuse and spillage of veterinary medicines and chemicals

legislative requirements relating to the handling storage and security of drugs including dangerous drugs

patient histories of all patients housed at the clinic

relevant regulations with regard to veterinary medicines and their usage

veterinary terminology pertaining to veterinarian observations of patients

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

clean and disinfect animal housing treatment area and general clinic areas to maintain clinic hygiene

carry out daily patient treatments and observations

communicate effectively with the veterinarian and follow instructions for food water and treatment regimes

handle and restrain animals for examination as required

assist in stock control including taking inventory ordering stock as directed and checking stock when delivered

The skills and knowledge required to carry out daily clinic 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 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 a range of animals and the 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 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

Range of animal species may include:

Clinic facilities may include:

Animal housing may include:

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

Daily routine procedures may include:

Forms of medication may include:

Legislative requirements relevant to medication administration will include:

Veterinary support routines may include:

Security measures may include: