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:

comply with institutional protocols, policies and procedures including Animal Ethics Committee and legislative requirements including OHS at all times

read and verify breeding program requirements

identify, verify health status and prepare suitable animals for embryo collection and embryo transfer procedures

under supervision conduct embryo collection and transfer procedures for re-derivation purposes

monitor the health and welfare of animals during and after procedures and provide appropriate care

maintain and update records in accordance with regulatory and project documentation requirements.

The skills and knowledge required to assist to collect and transfer embryos of mice 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 research or production facility or an environment that simulates normal work conditions that has a scientific establishment licence and access to an approved Animal Ethics Committee.

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 at least two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy 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

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 (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).

Required skills include:

administer super-ovulation regimen to donor female mice

apply animal care and ethics committee classification system to determine procedures that require approval

calculate dosage, administer drugs including anaesthetics, analgesics, hormones and monitor response in accordance with project protocols and workplace standards.

check animals' physical conditions and vital signs and monitor for signs of progress or deterioration in condition or health of animals

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling animals, materials and equipment

identify sex, age and reproductive status of male and female animals

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

prepare and use equipment and materials correctly, in accordance with manufacturers' specifications

prepare and maintain appropriate records and reports relevant to breeding and technical procedures using relevant institutional electronic and/or manual systems

prepare, store and handle proprietary embryo media

use bio-safety and/or laminar flow cabinets

use literacy skills to read, interpret and apply institution policies and procedures, including OHS, infection control, containment and exclusion and waste management; critically analyse material and record information collected accurately and legibly

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

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

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

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe and hygienic waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge includes

anatomical and physiological features of mice related to vasectomy, embryo collection and transfer

applicable industry quality assurance requirements and required documentation

aseptic techniques

biosecurity issues relating to the collection of samples from animals

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

methods used to collect, store and manipulate embryos from mice for re-derivation purposes

methods use to perform embryo transfer procedures in mice

mouse oogenesis, ovulation, conception and embryonic development

principles of constitution, storage and use of proprietary embryo flushing, holding and culture media

principles of super-ovulation regimens for mice

principles of surgery relevant to vasectomy, embryo collection and transfer

relevant anaesthetics, analgesics and other medications used and methods of administration for mouse surgery

relevant laboratory techniques and procedures

relevant principles of animal welfare and ethics

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

relevant common diseases, injuries and other impacts on mouse health and well-being and characteristics of healthy, sick or distressed mice

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, OHS and animal welfare and research including the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

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

reproductive cycles relating to mouse embryo technology

safe mouse handling techniques including approved handling methods during the administration of substances and surgical procedures

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

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.

Institutional standard operating procedures may include:

institution’s quality assurance manual and procedures including:

biosecurity

OHS

recycling and re-use guidelines

restraint, handling, humane killing and disposal of animals

embryo culture

use, storage and transport of equipment and drugs during procedures

waste disposal

project objectives and production schedules.

Procedures that require Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) approval may include:

anaesthetic

re-derivation

super-ovulation induction

surgical

any other procedure that may impact on the animal’s health and wellbeing.

Relevant legislative requirements may include:

Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes

Gene Technology Act 2000

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations such as those relating to:

animal research

animal welfare

prevention of cruelty to animals

quarantine

the practice of veterinary surgery

the administration and storage of therapeutic and controlled substances.

OHS risks associated with animal technician procedures may include:

animal bites or scratches

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

waste anaesthetic 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)

scalds and burns from sterilising and cleaning equipment

zoonoses.

Breeding program may include:

information about:

the number of breeders required

selection criteria for breeders and retiring breeders

breeding system to be used for example:

inbred

outbred

backcross

genotype

fostering requirements, identification system to be used

record system to be used e.g. computer, cards, books

data to be collected about production rates e.g. numbers born and sex rations

weaning rate.

PPE may include:

appropriate footwear

optical aids and protective eyewear

laboratory gowns, caps, masks, boots and gloves.

Health status considerations may include:

animal health checks including:

general health and condition

behaviour

respiration

temperature

bodyweight

sentinel testing of mouse colonies.

Anaesthetic, analgesics and equipment may include:

anaesthesia agents

anaesthetic equipment and supplies:

anaesthetic machines and trolleys

filters

gas cylinders

incubators

scavenging systems

tubes

vaporisers

surgical instruments and equipment:

cautery instruments

forceps

needles

needle holders

resection clamps

scalpels

scissors

sutures

wound clips.

Preparation for aseptic surgery may include:

clipping

preoperative skin preparation routines

further preparation may extend to administration of necessary premedication including analgesics.

Monitoring during recovery may include:

continued monitoring of vital signs

detection of pain and distress

positioning of patient recumbency in consideration of recovery phase and surgical site

prevention of hypothermia and hypotension.

Stages of oestrus cycle may include:

induced ovulation species

dioestrus

metoestrus

oestrus

proestrus

detection of vaginal plugs in female mice.

Preparation for super-ovulation may include:

selection of strain and age of donor mice

re-constitution and dilution of super-ovulatory hormones

administration of super-ovulatory hormones to mice

timing of administration of super-ovulatory hormones.

Embryo preparations for transfer may include:

selection of recipient females

breeding of recipient mice with vasectomised males

checking of vaginal plugs after breeding with vasectomised males

preparing equipment including construction and treatment of embryo transfer pipettes

packing and sterilising surgical instruments

preparing anaesthetic equipment

loading embryo transfer pipettes.