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

ACMVET507A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Provide nursing support for critical care surgery

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ACMVET507A - Provide nursing support for critical care surgery
Description This Unit of Competency covers the process of preparing for critical care surgery and supporting the veterinarian during critical care surgery.
Employability Skills This Unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This Unit is specifically designed for nurses who work in a veterinary hospital or emergency/specialist veterinary clinic where an extensive range of emergency and critical care procedures are performed. Providing nursing support for critical care surgery requires access to a veterinary hospital or emergency/specialist veterinary clinic where emergency and specialised critical care procedures are performed; veterinarians who perform emergency and specialised critical care procedures; patients and clients requiring emergency and specialised critical care surgery, nursing and discharge; and the equipment, instruments and resources required to perform emergency and specialised critical care 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 Nil
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: Prepare for critical care surgical patient
  • Patient's special requirements are identified and made available for surgery.
  • Surgical and monitoring equipment is prepared in accordance with occupational health and safety (OHS) and clinic policies and procedures.
       
Element: Monitor patient from induction to recovery
  • Assistance for induction is provided to veterinarian.
  • Anaesthetic is continuously monitored and data is recorded.
  • Vital signs are monitored constantly from induction to recovery and abnormal signs are responded to in accordance with clinic policies.
  • Analgesia is administered and response is monitored under veterinarian supervision.
  • Specific emergency procedures are applied as directed by the veterinarian.
  • Specific surgical operating support is provided in response to the veterinarian's requirements.
       
Element: Collect blood and administer blood and blood products
  • Blood type is identified, sourced and /or collected, and stored in accordance with clinic policies.
  • Blood and/or blood products are prepared and administered in accordance with clinic policies.
  • Adverse reactions to transfusions are recognised and treated in accordance with the veterinarian's advice.
       
Element: Provide critical care nursing
  • Patient short-term positioning, environment, medication, nutrition and nursing care are determined in consultation with the veterinarian.
  • Patient care plan, including all relevant aspects of treatment and care, is developed in conjunction with the veterinarian.
  • Intensive nursing care is provided and the patient is monitored in accordance with the patient plan, clinic policies and OHS requirements.
  • Veterinarian is regularly consulted on the patient's progress.
       
Element: Discharge patient
  • Transportation procedures are implemented for the critical care patient in accordance with clinic policies and OHS requirements.
  • Patient is prepared for transport within the clinic and for external transport.
  • Instructions are provided to the client regarding the patient's care requirements in the home environment.
  • History, records and veterinarian's report are collated and presented to the client.
  • Client is instructed on the delivery of referral documentation to their regular practitioner.
       


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 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 and/or 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 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).

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

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 skills/language 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 problem-solving skills to use available resources and anticipate veterinarians' requirements

use safe manual handling techniques and/or 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

best-practice 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 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.

Critical care surgical procedures patients may be presented for include:

evisceration

exploratory laparotomy

eye prolapse

gastric dilation volvulus

thoracotomy

wounds involving penetrating foreign bodies

drastic and/or life-threatening wounds.

Special requirements may include:

administration of blood and blood products

intermittent positive pressure ventilation during open chest procedures

specific induction and maintenance drugs.

Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may 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)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Monitoring vital signs and instruments used may include:

vital signs:

blood gas analysis

capillary response time

central venous pressure

chest auscultation

Doppler blood pressure

femoral pulse

heart rate

mucous membrane colour

pulse and stimulation response

pupillary light reflex

renal function

respiration

thermo-regulation

instruments for monitoring vital signs may include:

capnographs

ECG

oesophageal stethoscopes

pulse oximeters.

Analgesia may include:

provision of:

pre-emptive analgesia

intra-operative analgesia

post-operative analgesia

analgesics administered by the veterinarian or under veterinary supervision:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

narcotics

other analgesics and opiate antagonists.

Emergency procedures may include:

emergency anaesthetic procedures:

artificial and assisted respiration

administration of life support techniques and medicines

other emergency procedures:

response to anaesthetic recovery/shock complications with particular attention to transport to recovery ward

positioning of patient

revision of fluid therapy plan

supervision of anaesthetic monitoring equipment.

Types of surgical operating support may include:

maintaining:

arterial lines

central lines

jugular catheters

peripheral intravenous catheters

urinary catheters

central feeding apparatus and endotracheal tubes

tracheostomy tubes

thoracic or other drains.

Critical care nursing may include:

monitoring of vital signs and recognition of abnormal vital signs

placement and care of catheters, chest and other drains and tracheostomy tubes

fluid therapy

oxygen therapy

monitoring urinary output.

Patient care plan may include consideration of:

environmental conditions

equipment

housing

need for analgesia and medication

nutrition

physiotherapy

psychological factors.

Transportation procedures may include:

blanket stretcher

feed and water

intravenous fluid line maintenance

limb support

respiration monitoring

trolley and restraint

wound management.

Patient care requirements may include:

monitoring the animal prior to release

advising the owner in line with veterinarian's instructions about:

administering medicine and the general care of the animal

follow up treatment or visits

anticipated physical and psychological behaviour

bedding

cast care

consultation with regular practitioner

exercise

nutrition

wound and dressing management.

Referral documents may include:

blood chemistry, haematology and other tests

clinic pathological results

diagnostic reports

radiographs.

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
Patient's special requirements are identified and made available for surgery. 
Surgical and monitoring equipment is prepared in accordance with occupational health and safety (OHS) and clinic policies and procedures. 
Assistance for induction is provided to veterinarian. 
Anaesthetic is continuously monitored and data is recorded. 
Vital signs are monitored constantly from induction to recovery and abnormal signs are responded to in accordance with clinic policies. 
Analgesia is administered and response is monitored under veterinarian supervision. 
Specific emergency procedures are applied as directed by the veterinarian. 
Specific surgical operating support is provided in response to the veterinarian's requirements. 
Blood type is identified, sourced and /or collected, and stored in accordance with clinic policies. 
Blood and/or blood products are prepared and administered in accordance with clinic policies. 
Adverse reactions to transfusions are recognised and treated in accordance with the veterinarian's advice. 
Patient short-term positioning, environment, medication, nutrition and nursing care are determined in consultation with the veterinarian. 
Patient care plan, including all relevant aspects of treatment and care, is developed in conjunction with the veterinarian. 
Intensive nursing care is provided and the patient is monitored in accordance with the patient plan, clinic policies and OHS requirements. 
Veterinarian is regularly consulted on the patient's progress. 
Transportation procedures are implemented for the critical care patient in accordance with clinic policies and OHS requirements. 
Patient is prepared for transport within the clinic and for external transport. 
Instructions are provided to the client regarding the patient's care requirements in the home environment. 
History, records and veterinarian's report are collated and presented to the client. 
Client is instructed on the delivery of referral documentation to their regular practitioner. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMVET507A - Provide nursing support for critical care surgery
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

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

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

ACMVET507A - Provide nursing support for critical care surgery

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: