Required skills

Ability to

apply safe work procedures in the use of equipment for medical procedures

assist the veterinarian safely effectively and as directed

clean sterilise and store appropriate equipment as required

ensure that equipment is regularly maintained and that the recommended handling procedures for endoscopic and laparoscopic probes ultrasound transducers and electrocardiograms ECGs are carried out

employ keen observation skills

ensure fluid therapy requirements are undertaken and monitored

prepare animals correctly for medical procedures

recognise respond to and assist with emergencies

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 the owner and acknowledging and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills required to calibrate and operate equipment

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 select prepare and clean or sterilise instruments and equipment as directed

work closely with the supervising veterinarian and as part of a team

Required knowledge

Knowledge of

animal anatomy and physiology related to medical nursing routines

aseptic technique

legislative requirements and health regulations for the storage use and disposal of chemicals and biological debris from veterinary procedures

relevant state or territory legislative requirements for animal welfare

safe work procedures

use value and rationale of procedures including endoscopic electrocardiographic laparoscopic and ultrasound procedures

use and value of fluid therapy

various medical procedures and the appropriate equipment

Veterinary Practitioner Acts and Regulations

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

prepare equipment instruments and materials and assist with medical procedures

prepare and restrain patients for procedures

prepare and calibrate equipment for specific clinic routines

assist veterinarian with procedure outcomes including fluid therapy and catheterisation

care for patients during special procedures

communicate effectively with the veterinarian and clients

clean and store equipment and maintain accurate records

The skills and knowledge required to carry out medical nursing 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 for this Unit is to be 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

Medical procedures may include:

Patient preparation may include:

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

Specific clinic routines may include:

Types of equipment requiring preparation may include:

Medical procedure outcomes may include:

Outcomes of medical procedures may be recorded and stored: