Required skills

Ability to

employ keen observation skills to recognise signs or behavioural change indicators in patients

recognise respond to and assist with emergencies

undertake animal first aid procedures

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

use literacy skills to read select and implement policies and procedures including workplace health and safety infection control and other clinic policies and procedures coordinate patient admission and discharge implement sequenced written instructions and record patient details accurately and legibly

use oral communication skillslanguage required to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic including negotiating and questioning techniques active listening asking for clarification from veterinarian and acknowledging and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills required to weigh and measure animals check drug dosages and record patient information

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

use problemsolving skills to use available resources prioritise tasks and use appropriate pain management techniques

work effectively in a team situation in the clinic gently and carefully handle animals in pain act promptly and effectively in response to the veterinarians instructions and recognise and appreciate pain in animals

Required knowledge

animal behaviour characteristics and traits

animal first aid procedures and techniques

animal pain management procedures and techniques

animal physiology and anatomy applied pharmacology and the range of analgesics including appropriate antagonists related to nursing animals

relevant national state or territory legislative requirements for animal welfare transportation of animals animal management and veterinary practitioners Acts that underpin routine animal health advice

requirements for safe and suitable housing and appropriate materials for its construction

veterinary chemicals the relevant poisons schedule and the legislative requirements relevant to their use

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 competency 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 determine patient histories

provide animal first aid as required

observe patients and maintain accurate records for clinical signs pain and behavioural changes

meet patients needs whilst they are treated or housed at clinic

inform clients of patients progress and counsel clients accordingly

communicate effectively with the veterinarian and clients

The skills and knowledge required to nurse animals 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 for this Unit is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a veterinary nursing workplace with access to the appropriate equipment andor resources to enable one to demonstrate competence

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of performance competency should be demonstrated to industry defined standards on more than two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances patients cases and responsibilities 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

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

Animal (patient) identification and features may include:

Animal first aid may be required for:

Clinical signs that may be observed may include:

Audible, visible or measurable signs of pain, including behavioural changes may include:

Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:

Pain management techniques may include:

Prescribed routines may include:

Appropriate environment may include:

Monitoring patients may include:

Industry-recognised animal psychological procedures may include: