Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare to conduct post-mortem / necropsy
- Select site for post-mortem, ensuring compliance with biosecurity and environmental requirements
- Prepare the site to be used for the post-mortem
- Obtain and collate all relevant preliminary information about the carcass to be examined
- Identify work health and safety and biosecurity hazards, assess risks and take appropriate action
- Select and use personal protective equipment
- Obtain and prepare required equipment and resources
- Move the animal to be examined to the post mortem area using appropriate manual lifting techniques and equipment
- Seek expert assistance if required
- Carry out post-mortem examination
- Carry out external assessment and note outward signs of disease or injury
- Seek expert advice and assistance before proceeding where unusual symptoms are present
- Perform post mortem of the carcass in a systematic and safe manner using appropriate techniques and equipment, without causing artificial damage to organs and tissues
- Examine organs, tissues and joints
- Take samples of organs and tissues where appropriate, and place in properly labelled containers to meet laboratory requirements
- Record relevant data and details of the post mortem examination and suggest the cause of death where possible
- Carry out post necropsy procedures
- Dispose of carcass and biological materials using appropriate equipment and comply with biosecurity and environment al requirements, and national and local regulations for carcass disposal
- Send labelled and packaged samples to the laboratory for analysis and comply with regulations for sending biological samples by post
- Collate all information about the livestock examined and the records made during the post-mortem, and forward to supervisor or veterinarian for analysis and establishing a diagnosis
- Clean and disinfect all equipment used and store appropriately
- Clean and disinfect site used for the post-mortem
- Disinfect disposable personal protective equipment before disposing them
- Wash hands and exposed body areas thoroughly
- Change clothing and place in appropriate bin for laundering and disinfect boots