Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

ACMATE502A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage and maintain the health of research animals

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ACMATE502A - Manage and maintain the health of research animals
Description This unit of competency covers the processes of managing the health of animals in a research environment according to the institution's standard operating procedures and relevant codes of practice.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application The unit is applicable to a senior or managerial level. It requires the ability to work independently and as part of a team including other staff, researchers and veterinarians. All work practices must be undertaken in accordance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes and the institution's standard operating procedures.In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Monitor the health status of laboratory animals
  • Standard operating procedures to monitor the health of laboratory animals for signs of disease are developed in conjunction with others.
  • The institution's standard operating procedures, including occupational health and safety (OHS), requirements are followed when monitoring the health of laboratory animals.
       
Element: Investigate and recognise disease processes in research animals
  • Develop standard operating procedures to investigate and recognise diseases in laboratory animals.
  • Follow institution's standard operating procedures to investigate and recognise diseases in laboratory animals.
  • Signs of ill health, sickness behaviours and pain are recognised and reported to appropriate staff.
  • Lesions are recognised clinically and during post-mortem examinations, and are recorded against health status of animals.
  • Post-mortem changes due to deterioration in tissues and organs are recognised.
  • Organisms detected during testing procedures on biological samples taken from animals and their environments are classified as pathogenic or potentially pathogenic.
       
Element: Treat, prevent and control disease in laboratory animals
  • Standard operating procedures to treat, prevent and control disease in laboratory animals are developed in conjunction with others.
  • The institution's standard operating procedures are followed when treating, preventing and controlling a range of diseases in laboratory animals.
  • Strategies are developed and implemented to investigate, treat, prevent, control and monitor disease.
       
Element: Identify the way in which disease processes may influence the design and outcome of experiments in laboratory animals
  • Effects of disease processes in laboratory animals are identified and documented.
  • Effects on laboratory animals of experimental techniques are identified and documented.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

develop and implement standard operating procedures to manage and maintain the health of research animals

work independently and as part of a team to observe animals, monitor their health, sickness behaviours and pain and to report abnormalities

assist in the investigation of disease processes and act to treat, prevent, control and monitor disease

identify and document the impact of disease processes on a research program.

The skills and knowledge required to manage and maintain the health of research animals 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 of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal technology research facility or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions and has a scientific establishment licence and access to an approved AEC.

There must be access to a range of research animals and the relevant information, materials and documentation to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategies must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

case study analysis

third-party evidence

workplace documentation.

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 (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. 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).


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

apply Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) classification system to determine procedures that require approval

collect and perform basic tests on urine, blood and faeces

collect ante-mortem and post-mortem samples

comply with animal welfare and ethical standards in the humane handling of animals, administration of substances, collection of samples and documenting of activities

ensure correct usage of equipment, materials and machinery in accordance with manufacturers' specifications

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

monitor compliance with animal welfare and ethics regulations and workplace safe operating procedures

observe, document and report findings on animal health status and behaviour traits using workplace protocols and procedures

organise and participate in regular team meetings with other staff, researchers and veterinarians

prepare and maintain appropriate records, including animal care and ethics register using relevant institutional electronic and/or manual systems

research, develop and communicate the institution's standard operating procedures to monitor the health of laboratory animals, recognise diseases, and implement treatment, prevention or control strategies

use bibliographic databases to locate relevant scientific and technical material

literacy skills to read, interpret and apply institutional policies and procedures, including OHS, infection control, containment and exclusion and waste management; follow sequenced written instructions; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from research group team members, senior or more experienced staff or other relevant persons

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures

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

problem-solving skills to use available information and resources and prioritise daily tasks

verify precautions in application or administration of treatments or services.

Required knowledge

anatomical and physiological structures and functions related to the health and wellbeing of commonly held animals

ante-mortem and post-mortem changes in animals

biohazards in the workplace of significance to animals and humans

industry terminology used to describe administration of substances and sampling techniques and other animal technology workplace practices

industry terminology used to identify animals, describe their behaviour and diseases

methodology and format of the institution's standard operating procedures

microbiology

nutritional and behavioural disorders

organisational policies and safe work procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures

parameters of normal and abnormal behaviour in animals, including signs of a healthy animal, signs of an animal in pain or distress in commonly held species

protocols, legal and ethical considerations in establishing animal care procedures and policies and gaining ethics committee approval

relevant codes of practice, including the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, OHS and animal welfare and research

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

safe animal handling techniques, including approved handling methods during the administration of substances and collection of samples

sources of relevant scientific and technical literature

tissue and fluid sample types and methods

types of disease vectors

types of infectious and non-infectious diseases

types of infectious agents (e.g. bacteria, virus, protozoa and parasites) and non-infectious agents (e.g. cancer, environmental, accident or diet)

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Standard operating procedures for monitoring research animal health may be developed:

in conjunction with other staff, in particular veterinarians and staff involved in research programs

in some institutions the responsibly to develop safe operating procedures lies with the veterinarian with other staff assisting

as a team task with all involved being consulted.

Subject to facility requirements animals may include:

on most occasions the animal species will be common laboratory animals:

guinea pigs

mice

rabbits

rats

on some occasions animal species may include:

amphibians, fish and reptiles

dogs and cats

fish

invertebrates

livestock (e.g. sheep, cattle and pigs)

native wildlife (e.g. marsupials and birds)

primates

poultry.

OHS risks associated with animal technician procedures include:

animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

zoonoses.

Diseases that may occur in research animals include:

common infectious diseases:

bacterial

fungal

parasitic

prions

protozoa

viral

common non-infectious diseases:

congenital

degenerative

dietary

genetic

neoplastic

toxic

traumatic.

Signs that may indicate that an animal is unwell may include:

clinical signs:

aggression

change in normal appearance

changes in temperature

changes to skin, fur or hair

decreased fertility

depression

increased or decreased mobility

isolation from others

lack of grooming

loss of appetite

signs of injury:

blood

diarrhoea

pus

vomitus.

Classifying organisms found in biological samples may require:

investigation using:

clinical advice

the internet

reference texts.

Requirements for treating animals may include:

relevant medication:

parasite treatment

prescription drugs

vaccinations

seeking veterinary assistance when developing a health-monitoring program.

Strategies might be developed:

in consultation with other staff, including veterinarians and researchers

to include minimising the adverse effects that interactions of host and pathogenic agents and the environment may have on animal health

using scientific literature.

Experimental techniques may include:

carcinogenic agents

radiation

radioisotopes

surgical procedures.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Standard operating procedures to monitor the health of laboratory animals for signs of disease are developed in conjunction with others. 
The institution's standard operating procedures, including occupational health and safety (OHS), requirements are followed when monitoring the health of laboratory animals. 
Develop standard operating procedures to investigate and recognise diseases in laboratory animals. 
Follow institution's standard operating procedures to investigate and recognise diseases in laboratory animals. 
Signs of ill health, sickness behaviours and pain are recognised and reported to appropriate staff. 
Lesions are recognised clinically and during post-mortem examinations, and are recorded against health status of animals. 
Post-mortem changes due to deterioration in tissues and organs are recognised. 
Organisms detected during testing procedures on biological samples taken from animals and their environments are classified as pathogenic or potentially pathogenic. 
Standard operating procedures to treat, prevent and control disease in laboratory animals are developed in conjunction with others. 
The institution's standard operating procedures are followed when treating, preventing and controlling a range of diseases in laboratory animals. 
Strategies are developed and implemented to investigate, treat, prevent, control and monitor disease. 
Effects of disease processes in laboratory animals are identified and documented. 
Effects on laboratory animals of experimental techniques are identified and documented. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMATE502A - Manage and maintain the health of research animals
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

ACMATE502A - Manage and maintain the health of research animals

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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