Required skills Include

Ability to

apply problem solving skills to use available resources and anticipate veterinarians requirements

communicate effectively with veterinarian other professionals staff and clients using appropriate communication strategies and terminology whilst complying with practice protocols

coordinate andor carry out a range of veterinary nursing procedures including

accurately monitoring recording and recognising abnormal vital signs

administeringmaintaining fluid therapy including blood products under veterinary direction

administering medications under veterinary direction by intravenous means including use of fluid pumps

monitoring cleaning and sterilising medical and surgical equipment as required

performing emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation on companion animals

placing intravenous and urinary catheters

demonstrate empathy with animals

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

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

employ selfmanagement skills to

comply with policies and procedures

consistently evaluate and monitor own performance

seek learning opportunities

manage veterinary nursing procedures through effective supervision and coordination of clinic nursing staff

maintain highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and crossinfection

record use of chemicals and medicines according to prescribed legislative requirements

record patient details accurately and legibly

use literacy skills to

read select and implement policies and procedures including workplace health and safety infection control and other clinic policies and procedures

complete relevant workplace documentation

prepare general information reports and papers according to target audience

read and understand a variety of texts

use numeracy skills to monitor patient vital signs and calculate drug doses and fluid rates

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

use strategies to clarify verify and confirm information and instructions

Required knowledge includes

Knowledge of

accurate identification of surgical instruments

anaesthetic risks

animal nutrition and husbandry

blood blood types and transfusion medicine

clinical signs of sepsis and wound breakdown

clinical signs of shock

common infectious diseases

commonly used anaesthetic agents planes and stages of anaesthesia and anaesthetic equipment

critical care and intensive nursing routines

emergency procedures including CPR

fluid therapy

principles of animal welfare and ethics

quarantine of patients and infection control measures in an isolation facility

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

waste disposal

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

recognise communicate and respond to abnormal patient vital signs and anaesthetic complications

coordinate hospital admissions and discharges

supervise roster and coordinate nursing staff in support of veterinary activities

develop and implement infection control and workplace health and safety and biosecurity procedures

demonstrate cardiopulmonary resuscitation

assist in a range of veterinary procedures

carry out a range of nursing procedures

manage nursing care of hospitalised patients and patients in quarantine or isolation

ensure the maintenance of accurate records

develop implement and review nursing policies and procedures in veterinary practice

identify opportunities to contribute to the veterinary practice knowledge base and improve existing practices and procedures within scope of job responsibilities

prepare and present case studies andor literature reviews to others

The skills and knowledge required to manage veterinary nursing procedures must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events

It is highly recommended that learners perform work placement in another approved veterinary practice or training workplace in order to gather further evidence of competence and demonstrate the transferability of skills and knowledge outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a veterinary practice in order to gain exposure to sufficient caseload

There must be access to a veterinary clinic or animal hospital a range of companion animals as well as the appropriate equipment resources and documentation 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 an extended period of time by preparing for a range of procedures providing perioperative nursing care and managing the hospitalisation of more complicated cases on a regular basis

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

case study analysis

role plays

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 first aid measures

Materials and equipment

Veterinary procedures

Vital signs

Post-operative procedures

Referral veterinarian or other health care professional and/or service

Veterinary instructions

Treatment plans

Nursing care

Infection control

Workplace health and safety

Nursing procedures

Hospital rounds

Nurse handovers

Clinic policies

Appropriate documentation

Professional development opportunities