Required skills

Ability to

assist the veterinarian safely and effectively as directed and work as part of a team

clean and sterilise surgical equipment as required

complete postoperative theatre procedures

recognise respond to and assist with emergencies

supervise the preparation of surgery schedules including the preparation of the surgical environment and relevant staff

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

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 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 operate equipment

use problemsolving skills to prioritise tasks and coordinate theatre routines

Required knowledge

Knowledge of

animal anatomy and physiology related to medical and surgical nursing routines

aseptic technique

clinic policies and procedures including workplace health and safety

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

possible requirements of the surgeon during operations

range of routine surgical instruments and equipment used in preparation and theatre areas

relevant state or territory legislative requirements for animal welfare

safe work practices

sterilisation techniques including the operation of autoclaves and an awareness of alternative sterilisation techniques including gamma irradiation ethylene oxide and chemical sterilisation and their associated health hazards

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 surgery and organise surgery schedules

prepare surgical packs and routine surgical sites

prepare and gown theatre personnel including self

maintain equipment instruments materials and supplies

clean maintain and store theatre instruments equipment materials and supplies

complete postoperative theatre routines

communicate effectively with the veterinarian and follow instructions

The skills and knowledge required to coordinate and perform theatre 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

Surgery schedule considerations may include:

Preparation of surgical packs may require:

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

Staff preparation routines may include:

Appropriate dressing may include:

Instruments, equipment and supplies may include:

Theatre debris and disposable equipment may include:

Theatre and preparation supplies may include: