Required skills

Ability to

accurately monitor record and recognise abnormal vital signs

demonstrate empathy with animals

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling animals

maintain accurate records

maintain the highest standard of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross infection

maximise patient care when preparing for and during transport

monitor clean and sterilise surgical equipment as required

record chemicals and medicines in the clinic according to prescribed legislative requirements

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 and oral instructions and record patient details accurately and legibly

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 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 to monitor patients vital signs and fluid therapy and to calculate dosages

use problemsolving skills to use available resources and anticipate veterinarians requirements

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

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

Required knowledge

Knowledge of

after care requirements including medication wound management nutrition exercise and environment

anaesthetic agents planes and stages of anaesthesia and anaesthesia equipment

animal anatomy and physiology

bestpractice psychological procedures for animal care

blood blood types and blood product transfusions

clinical signs of shock

commonly used anaesthetics including injectable and gaseous compounds

critical care anaesthetic and surgery procedures

critical care and intensive nursing routines

dangers related to exposure to anaesthetic agents

emergency situations that may result from specific clinical conditions

emergency procedures

fluid therapy

principles of animal welfare and ethics

radiographic and imaging routines

range of instruments required in both the theatre and preparation areas

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science workplace health and safety and animal welfare

relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances

safe work practices

standard physiotherapy treatments for animals

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

symptoms of common poisoning and clinical disease

the maintenance of adequate housing and nutrition

the relative urgency of common disease versus trauma incidents

the requirements for referral documentation

transportation procedures

where and how to access relevant patient records

workplace hygiene standard disinfectants cleaning agents cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials

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

prepare animals correctly for critical care surgery

monitor animals vital signs during anaesthesia through to recovery

recognise abnormal vital signs

recognise respond to and assist with emergencies

demonstrate empathy with animals

administer blood and blood products

work in a team and closely with the supervising veterinarian

communicate patient needs clearly to clients and transporting agents

record and retrieve patient histories effectively in cases of client referral

provide comprehensive nursing support for critically ill patients

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a veterinary hospital or specialist veterinary clinic where an extensive range of emergency and specialised critical care procedures are performed

There must be access to the appropriate emergency and specialised critical care equipment andor resources to enable one to demonstrate competence

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of performance competency should be demonstrated by providing nursing support for critical care surgery for an extensive range of emergency and specialised critical care cases on a regular basis over a period of time

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

case study analysis

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

Critical care surgical procedures patients may be presented for include:

Special requirements may include:

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

Monitoring vital signs and instruments used may include:

Analgesia may include:

Emergency procedures may include:

Types of surgical operating support may include:

Critical care nursing may include:

Patient care plan may include consideration of:

Transportation procedures may include:

Patient care requirements may include:

Referral documents may include: