Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to carry out an initial assessment, care for animals at an incident scene and assist a veterinarian during and after an incident.
The unit applies to individuals who have experience handling large animals and have a role in supporting veterinarians in an incident involving animals. Incidents may involve individual animals or groups of animals and cover a range of incident types. Individuals have basic knowledge of animal first aid and animal incident management.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Carry out initial assessment and care of animal/s | 1.1 Conduct visual assessment of condition and behaviour of animal/s on arrival at incident scene 1.2 Participate in team briefing and provide information on the level of veterinary care and/or emergency response support required to relevant personnel 1.3 Arrange screening and animal transport, if required, in consultation with the incident controller 1.4 Monitor health and vital signs of animal/s, using safe handling techniques and safe zones, for protection of self, others and other animal/s 1.5 Provide animal care, including natural sedation techniques to reduce stress or stimulation, until veterinary support arrives |
2. Assist veterinarian with care of large animal/s | 2.1 Organise physical containment or restraint of animal/s for veterinarian to triage and stabilise the animal/s 2.2 Assist the veterinarian with organisation of personal protective equipment, medical supplies and equipment, and communicating biosecurity risks and requirements to others 2.3 Support identification of animal/s record keeping 2.4 Support veterinarian with triage and treatment of animal/s at the incident scene 2.5 Discuss chemical restraints with veterinarian and assist with the physical restraint of animal/s according to veterinarian instructions |
3. Carry out post-rescue care | 3.1 Provide post-rescue care of animal/s, including assisting with moving animal/s to a safe location or veterinary clinic for further treatment 3.2 Assist with the recovery of animal/s following sedation or anaesthesia according to veterinarian instructions 3.3 Assist veterinarian during euthanasia of animal/s, if required 3.4 Organise removal and handle deceased animal/s with dignity 3.5 Contribute to team debrief and complete records according to workplace requirements |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Oral communication | Provide clear and concise information in a timely manner using accurate terminology Listen carefully to instructions and ask questions to clarify and confirm requirements |
Interact with others | Work as an effective member of a team as well as independently |
Navigate the world of work | Recognise the purpose, main tasks, responsibilities and boundaries of own role |
Get the work done | Plan, organise and prioritise tasks for carrying out casualty and post-rescue management of animals Anticipate animal behavioural responses and use problem-solving approaches to accommodate contingencies |
Sectors
Animal Incident Management (AIM)