Required skills include

Ability to

analyse and solve problems using available information and resources including recording information and prioritising daily tasks

apply interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

communicate effectively to fulfil the job role including questioning active listening asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from appropriate persons

comply with animal welfare legislation animal care guidelines state and territory veterinary surgeons or practitioners legislation and regulations

employ safe humane and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with handling and restraining mares and foals

follow sequenced written instructions record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

identify hazards and assess risks

measure parameters of health in foals

maintain appropriate records

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and crossinfection considering zoonotic and exotic disease possibilities biosecurity

milk mares by hand

monitor and maintain intravenous fluids and plasma andor blood transfusions

operate and maintain indwelling intravenous catheter nasogastric tube and intranasal oxygen

provide nursing care to impaired foals

read understand and follow required policies and procedures including workplace health and safety infection control and waste management

recognise normal physical and behavioural signs in horses

use numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine and more complex workplace elements

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe hygienic and environmentally friendly waste handling and disposal procedures

work as part of a team and in close working arrangements with the supervising veterinarian

Required knowledge includes

Knowledge of

normal health parameters for foals

handling techniques for impaired foals

nutritional requirements and options for impaired foals

nursing techniques for impaired foals

principles and practices of infection control

principles and practices of routine care of hospitalised animals

principles of animal welfare

relevant legislation regulations and codes of practice including workplace health and safety animal welfare and ethics veterinary practices and waste disposal

understanding of the function and use of relevant equipment

understanding of the purpose and use of relevant medications

workplace hygiene standards biosecurity including disinfectants cleaning agents and techniques cleaning and appropriate disinfection or sterilisation of equipment materials and personal protective equipment PPE

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

implement infection controls

administer enteral and parenteral nutrition to impaired foals

provide respiratory support and perform emergency ventilation to impaired foals

assemble crash kit items

follow aseptic procedures

admit and discharge patients from NICU

care for mares in NICU

follow workplace health and safety and animal welfare rules

accurately document and maintain appropriate records

The skills and knowledge required to provide intensive foal care and nursing 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 neonatal intensive care facilities and access to the appropriate 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 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

case studies

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

Admit

Nursing care for recumbent foals

Respiratory support

Crash kit and pharmacy

Nutrition to impaired foals

Parenteral medications

Infection controls

Routine care for mare

Discharge foals