This unit is applicable to junior or assistant level animal technicians working under supervision of a senior or more experienced staff member. Animal technicians operate under and must comply with legislative requirements as well as protocols, policies and procedures set down by the institution's Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).

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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for non-surgical procedures

1.1. Procedures and sample requirements are verified in accordance with legislative and ethical requirements.

1.2. Sample methods are confirmed with supervisor.

1.3. Dose rates are calculated.

1.4. Equipment required is prepared and positioned.

2. Prepare animals for procedure

2.1. Animals are selected to meet project requirements.

2.2. Animals are moved to testing area and prepared for procedure using techniques to minimise stress and discomfort.

2.3. Work practices are managed to ensure animals are kept in preparation and procedure areas for minimal time.

3. Administer substances to animals

3.1. Approved substances and dose rates are verified with supervisor.

3.2. Method of administration of substances is verified.

3.3. Risks associated with preparation and administration of substances are evaluated, emergency procedures practised and implemented as required.

3.4. Substances are administered to animals using approved methods and appropriate restraint techniques.

3.5. Animals are monitored during the administration of substances for adverse reactions.

4. Collect samples from animals

4.1. Sampling techniques are verified with supervisor.

4.2. Hazards in collection process are identified and emergency response requirements are practised and implemented when required.

4.3. Body fluid samples are collected, processed, packaged and stored.

4.4. Tissue samples are collected.

4.5. Samples are checked for suitability and prepared according to laboratory and project protocols.

5. Complete post-procedure duties

5.1. Animals are returned to housing, monitored and responded to as required.

5.2. Animal and project records are updated.

5.3. Procedures area is cleaned and waste disposed of according to laboratory protocols.

Required skills

apply first aid techniques and provide basic animal care

complete relevant work-related documents

comply with project protocols or report problems or concerns to workplace supervisor or project manager in accordance with workplace protocols and procedures

employ safe, humane and environmental responsible organisation systems and procedures when handling and work with animals

identify signs of animal distress and discomfort and respond in compliance with animal welfare and workplace or project protocols

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

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

take and record animals temperature, pulse, respiration and hydration indicators where appropriate

literacy skills to read and follow facility policies and procedures, including occupational health and safety (OHS), infection control 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 fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from supervisor

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine 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 resources and prioritise daily tasks

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

verify precautions in application or administration of substances.

Required knowledge

anatomical terminology

anatomical structures and physiological features of animals relevant to the administration of substances and collection of samples

basic animal first aid techniques

biohazards in the workplace of significance to animals and humans

ethical practices, protocols and procedures in relation to the administration of substances and collection of samples of animals in animal technology workplaces

indicators of stress and wellbeing in animals and methods used to measure, interpret and record objective measures of animal health

information that should be documented related to the administration of substances, and collection of samples

methods used to prepare, store and transport samples

organisational policies and safe work procedures, including OHS and accident requirements

personal protective clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used

principles of animal welfare and ethics

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

situations where the administration of substances or collection of samples should be stopped and reported

tissue and fluid sample types and methods

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

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:

prepare animals for substance administration and sample collection in accordance with legislative, ethical and approved workplace project protocols

calculate dose rates, prepare and administer substances as directed by supervisor and in accordance with legislative, ethical and approved workplace project protocols

collect samples of body tissue and fluids from animals in accordance with legislative, ethical and approved workplace project protocols

prepare samples in accordance with workplace protocols and project requirements

document procedures used in the administration of substances and collection of samples and any events that occur.

The skills and knowledge required to conduct non-surgical procedures on 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

All activities and procedures must be performed in accordance with animal welfare legislation, ethical and approved project protocols under supervision of a senior or more experienced staff member.

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal technology research facility or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a range of research animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources 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

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).

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.

Sample requirements may include:

a range of samples:

blood

faeces

muscle biopsy

nasal discharge

saliva

semen specimens

skin scrapings

urine and semen specimens

monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate and temperature

injecting substances subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously

administering substances via ingestion, topical application or inhalation

preparing samples for chemical, visual assessment.

Techniques to minimise stress and discomfort may include:

moving animal to collection area in own housing

sedating animals

restraining animals

numbing collection area

collecting specimens away from distractions from other animals, sounds, smells or other stimuli.

Risks associated with preparation and administration of substances may include:

allergic reaction of animal to substances

animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

contamination of samples

cross contamination between project classified clean and dirty animals

escape of animals and subsequent threat to safety of humans and other animals

haemorrhage, oedema and other tissue damage

handling of chemicals and medicines

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

maintaining body temperature and other vitals for life

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

not being able to reach target tissue

potential injuries to humans during capture, handling and transport processes

release of infective agents (animal and human)

reaction to collection leading to shock

slippery or uneven work surfaces

transmission of zoonotic diseases.

Monitoring of animals during administration of substances or during recovery may include:

measurement of temperature, pulse and respiration manually or via monitors attached to animals

observations of behaviour:

allergic reaction

bleeding

loss of nervous system control

loss/regaining consciousness depending on procedures used

symptoms of shock

observation of behaviour during recovery, and return to normal routines for rest, exercise, eating and social interaction.

Emergency response requirements may include:

animal or human first aid procedures for:

allergic reaction

bits, kicks and scratches

haemorrhage

needle or sharps accidents

shock

capture and isolation of escaped animals

decontamination of technician or animal.

Animal and project records may include:

animal:

identification

substances administered, including amounts and method of administration

response to administration of substance

tissue and body fluid samples taken

any problems with animal health that arise during administration of substances, collection of samples and during recovery

project:

project ethics approval details

project substance administration and sampling instructions

number of animals used and their identification details

officer who administered substances and collected samples

substances and amounts administered

methods used to administer substances

samples taken and methods used to collect samples

incidents or issues that arose during project procedures.

Unit sector

Animal technology

This unit contains employability skills.