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

ACMVET510A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply veterinary nursing pathophysiology

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ACMVET510A - Apply veterinary nursing pathophysiology
Description This Unit of Competency describes the skills and knowledge necessary to apply veterinary pathophysiology in general veterinary practice. Pathophysiology involves the recognition of abnormal function caused by disease. Application of this knowledge supports veterinary diagnosis and treatment. This Unit covers the fundamentals of disease and common disease processes. It includes diagnostic tests, treatment options and nursing care. A practical understanding of veterinary pathophysiology enables nurses to better support veterinary recommendations, encourage owner compliance, and improve patient outcomes.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This Unit is intended for experienced veterinary nurses who are responsible for supporting veterinarians and implementing veterinary treatments in general practice. It is assumed that such nurses will have a leadership role in their practice and be involved in the co-ordination of diagnostic procedures, treatment regimes and follow up 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: Interpret fundamentals of disease
  • Detailed patient history is collected from owner or veterinarian in accordance with clinic policies and procedures.
  • Detailed physical examination of the patient is performed to determine any abnormalities of the patient’s body systems.
  • Clinical signs consistent with basic disease processes are identified.
  • Effective triage of patients in conducted.
  • Patient history and clinical signs are communicated to the veterinarian in accordance with clinic policies and procedures.
       
Element: Assist diagnosis of disease by a veterinarian
  • Nursing support for veterinary examination is provided in accordance with relevant animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislation and clinic policies and procedure.
  • Diagnostic tests are conductedas directed by a veterinarian and the results are reported in accordance with clinic policies and procedures.
  • Causative agents or contributing factors are determined in support of veterinary diagnosis.
  • Strategies to prevent zoonosis in companion animals are implemented.
       
Element: Co-ordinate veterinary treatments for disease processes
  • The benefits from and potential adverse responses to a range of veterinary medications used in general practice are identified.
  • A range of veterinary medications are prepared and administered in accordance with state/territory legislation, animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislation, clinic policies and procedures and as instructed by a veterinarian.
  • Appropriate treatment is implemented as directed by a veterinarian in accordance with relevant veterinary legislation, animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislation.
       
Element: Manage outpatients under treatment for disease.
  • Specific written or verbal instructions are providedto clients as directed by a veterinarian in accordance clinic policies and procedure.
  • Environmental factors relevant to the management of common disease processes are identified.
  • Follow up procedures are co-ordinated to encourage owner compliance and monitor patient progress in accordance with clinic policies and procedure.
       


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:

collect a detailed patient history

perform effective physical examination

identify abnormal body function

conduct effective triage of patients

collect, store and process samples for a range of clinical pathology tests

identify cause and clinical signs of common disease processes

implement clinic protocols and procedures for the prevention of zoonosis in a range of companion animals

comply with relevant infection control and workplace health and safety requirements

identify benefits from and adverse responses to a range of veterinary medications used in general practice

manage outpatients.

The skills and knowledge required to apply veterinary pathophysiology 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 of performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than two occasions over an extended period of time, by collecting medical history, assessing patients, collecting samples, performing in-house laboratory tests, recognising common disease processes and co-ordinating the treatment of patients as directed by a veterinarian on a regular basis.

The assessment strategy must include a 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

case study analysis

role plays

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 Include:

Ability to:

administer fluid therapy including blood products

administer medications by intravenous means, including using fluid pumps

apply oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic, including negotiating and questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from a veterinarian, acknowledging and responding to a range of views

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

collect fluid and tissue samples from animals

co-ordinate patient admission and discharge

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

identify body systems affected by common disease processes

implement written and verbal instructions

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

perform a range of in house clinical pathology tests

placing intravenous and urinary catheters

recognising abnormal patient vital signs

record use of chemicals and medicines according to prescribed legislative requirements

record patient details accurately and legibly

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

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

after care requirements including wound management, nutrition, exercise and environment

anatomy and function of the eleven body systems

animal nutrition and husbandry

common infectious diseases and zoonosis

internal and external parasitic controls

normal range of patient vital signs

pharmacology of veterinary medications

prescription diets

principles of animal welfare and ethics

principles of triage

principles of vaccination and common protocols

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

signs of common disease processes in companion animals

waste disposal.

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.

Detailed patient history

Detailed patient history means:

patient name, species, breed, sex, age & reproductive status

lifestyle and environment

previous medical history

any recent or ongoing problems

patient behaviour and clinical signs.

Detailed physical examination

Detailed physical examination includes:

demeanour, stance and gait

full examination from nose to tail including all body systems

mucous membrane colour and capillary refill time

auscultation of the chest

palpation of the abdomen

rectal temperature

pulse and respiratory rates.

Body systems

Body systems are:

cardiovascular

digestive

endocrine

excretory

immune

integumentary

muscular

nervous

reproductive

respiratory

skeletal.

Basic disease processes

Basic disease processes mean:

inflammation

infection

neoplasia

heritable and congenital abnormalities

endocrine disorders

trauma

toxicity.

Nursing support

Nursing support may include:

recording patient history

safe handling and physical restraint of patient

sample collection and storage

admission procedures

administration

patient discharge

follow up and revisit procedures.

Diagnostic tests

Diagnostic tests include:

antigen test

biochemistry

biopsy

blood cross match

cytology

haematology

faecal floatation

fluid analysis

fine needle aspirate

fungal assay

hormone assay

microbial culture and sensitivity (MC&S) preparation

sediment examination

serological tests, for example enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests on blood serum to detect antigen or antibodies (evidence of infection)

smear

skin scrape

urinalysis.

Causative agents

Causative agents include:

bacteria

fungi

internal and external parasites

prions

protozoa

toxins and poisons

viruses.

Contributing factors

Contributing factors include:

diet

lifestyle

genetics

environment.

Strategies

Strategies include:

verbal and/or written protocols

policies and procedures

recommendations

treatment/prevention plans.

Veterinary medications

Veterinary medications may include but are not limited to:

anaesthetic induction agents

analgesics

antibiotics

anticonvulsants

antiemetics

corticosteroids

cytotoxic drugs

emetics

hormones

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

sedatives

vitamins

other drugs as directed.

Appropriate treatment

Appropriate treatment includes but is not limited to:

medical management

dietary restriction

physiotherapy

palliative care.

Written or verbal instructions

Written or verbal instructions may include but are not limited to:

conversations either face-to-face or telephone

discharge notes

patient records

veterinary reports

client handouts and information brochures detailing recommended veterinary care.

Environmental factors

Environmental factors may include:

diet

housing

lifestyle

other animals

owner compliance

people.

Follow-up procedures

Follow-up procedures may include but are not limited to:

revisits

reminders

telephone calls

telephone reports

repeat tests and procedures

referrals.

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
Detailed patient history is collected from owner or veterinarian in accordance with clinic policies and procedures. 
Detailed physical examination of the patient is performed to determine any abnormalities of the patient’s body systems. 
Clinical signs consistent with basic disease processes are identified. 
Effective triage of patients in conducted. 
Patient history and clinical signs are communicated to the veterinarian in accordance with clinic policies and procedures. 
Nursing support for veterinary examination is provided in accordance with relevant animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislation and clinic policies and procedure. 
Diagnostic tests are conductedas directed by a veterinarian and the results are reported in accordance with clinic policies and procedures. 
Causative agents or contributing factors are determined in support of veterinary diagnosis. 
Strategies to prevent zoonosis in companion animals are implemented. 
The benefits from and potential adverse responses to a range of veterinary medications used in general practice are identified. 
A range of veterinary medications are prepared and administered in accordance with state/territory legislation, animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislation, clinic policies and procedures and as instructed by a veterinarian. 
Appropriate treatment is implemented as directed by a veterinarian in accordance with relevant veterinary legislation, animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislation. 
Specific written or verbal instructions are providedto clients as directed by a veterinarian in accordance clinic policies and procedure. 
Environmental factors relevant to the management of common disease processes are identified. 
Follow up procedures are co-ordinated to encourage owner compliance and monitor patient progress in accordance with clinic policies and procedure. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMVET510A - Apply veterinary nursing pathophysiology
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

ACMVET510A - Apply veterinary nursing pathophysiology

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: