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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Identify patients and monitor clinical signs
   • Identify patients according to features and fixed identification
   • Perform preliminary examination of animal, document results and communicate to the veterinarian
   • Interview client to obtain relevant information about animal
   • Establish patient needs in consultation with the veterinarian
   • Apply animal first aid according to veterinary advice
2. Communicate with clients concerning hospitalised patients
   • Counsel and inform clients of patient's progress and condition at regular intervals
   • Check patient records to ensure routines are communicated to client
3. Provide animal care in pain situations
   • Identify animal anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and a range of analgesics as they relate to nursing animals
   • Identify and record audible, visual or measurable signs of pain to assist in the identification of the need for analgesics
   • Identify and report behavioural changes indicating pain
   • Use an empathetic and caring approach in the husbandry of animals in pain
   • Use compassionate and safe handling techniques according to WHS requirements
   • Use industry recognised pain management techniques to minimise patient trauma
4. Care for animals
   • Provide nursing intervention for individual animals
   • Implement prescribed routines and record treatments
   • Carry out and record patient observations using industry terminology
   • Return animals to owner or housing after treatment
5. Care for hospitalised animals
   • Provide basic animal welfare requirements
   • Maintain environment specifically required for individual animals
   • Monitor and facilitate patient’s bodily functions
   • Carry out and record regular monitoring of patients
   • Carry out industry-recognised animal psychological support in conjunction with patient monitoring