ACMATE503A
Carry out post-mortem examination of a research animal

This unit of competency covers the process of conducting a post-mortem examination of a research animal for scientific purposes.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

Application

This unit has been specifically developed for animal technicians working with and caring for animals (all live non-human vertebrates) used within scientific establishments for scientific purposes and teaching. Work is likely to be performed independently according to the institution's standard operating procedures but may also be undertaken as part of a team that includes other staff, researchers, veterinarians and specialist analysts. All work practices must be undertaken in accordance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes and the institution's standard operating 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.

Note: Scientific purposes refers to 'all those activities that require approval from an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) and are performed to acquire, develop or demonstrate knowledge of techniques in any scientific discipline, including activities for the purposes of teaching, field trips, environmental studies, research, diagnosis, product testing and the production of biological products'.

Note: This unit does not cover the analysis and/or diagnosis of preliminary information or samples taken during the post-mortem.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to conduct the post-mortem examination

1.1. The site for the post-mortem is selected and prepared.

1.2. Containment issues are identified and appropriate action is taken.

1.3. Correct clothing, equipment and resources are obtained and prepared for use.

1.4. The animal to be examined is moved to the post-mortem area using appropriate manual lifting techniques and/or equipment.

1.5. Death of the animal is confirmed by checking its vital signs.

1.6. All relevant preliminary information about the animal to be examined is obtained and collated.

1.7. Abnormal characteristics that may indicate the presence of notifiable and potentially hazardous conditions or diseases are identified and appropriate action is taken.

1.8. Occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards associated with the procedure are identified and appropriate action is taken to protect self and others.

1.9. Expert assistance is sought as appropriate.

2. Carry out the post-mortem examination

2.1. External assessment of the animal is carried out and outward signs of abnormalities or injury are noted.

2.2. Animal is dissected using appropriate techniques and equipment to avoid cutting into organs or stomach cavity.

2.3. Nominated organs, tissues and structures are examined.

2.4. Samples of organs, other tissues and fluid samples are taken, where appropriate, and prepared in accordance with institutional and laboratory requirements.

3. Complete the post-mortem examination

3.1. Carcass is disposed of using appropriate equipment in accordance with institutional quarantine requirements and other procedures.

3.2. Correctly labelled and packaged samples are sent for analysis.

3.3. All information about the animal examined and the records of observations made during the post-mortem are collated and forwarded to the relevant persons for analysis and diagnosis

3.4. Post mortem area and equipment used are cleaned and disinfected.

3.5. Personal biosecurity clean-up is completed in accordance with the institution's policies and procedures.

Required Skills

Required skills

calculate solutions, dilutions, percentages, concentrations, proportions, ratios, molarity and weights and measures conversions

collect, prepare and label samples according to post-mortem techniques and workplace protocols

evaluate sample suitability and viability in line with project protocols or workplace standards

identify common indicators of the presence of disease and infection processes visually

identify potential hazards to self and others (including animals) in conducting post-mortem examinations and prepare risk management plans

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, including animal care and ethics register using relevant institutional electronic and/or manual systems

use chemicals and cleaning agents in accordance with state or territory legislation and organisational policies and procedures

literacy skills to read, interpret and apply facility policies and procedures, including OHS, infection control, containment and exclusion 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 fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from research group team members, senior or more experienced staff or other relevant persons

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

problem-solving skills to use available information and 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.

Required knowledge

animal biology, anatomy and physiology of the range of species in the institution's research program, including the position, features and appearance of major organs in healthy animals of the species being examined

anatomical and physiological terminology, and glossary of terms and nomenclature related to the species being examined

animal care and ethics protocols related to the conduct of post-mortems

biosecurity issues (for animals and humans) relating to the collection of samples from animals

classification system used to categorise animal care and treatment by AECs

industry terminology used to describe and document findings in post-mortem

methods and equipment used to collect and prepare tissue and fluid samples for transport to testing area

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

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, animal welfare, waste disposal and animal research practices

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

requirements for the correct preparation, labeling and packaging of biological and potentially hazardous samples

sequence of actions in conducting a post-mortem

specific post-mortem clean-up techniques, equipment and materials

terminology used to describe findings in post mortem

type of information that can be provided in pathology tests

types of information that has to be reported and recorded in animal care workplaces

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

Evidence Required

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 and obtain information about animals to be examined

carry out external and internal assessments of animals and take samples and tissues as required in accordance with OHS and organisation policies and procedures

clean and disinfect equipment, materials and area upon completion of post-mortem examination

handle, move and dispose of animal carcasses

prepare a brief for the veterinarian and/or supervisor to enable an accurate analysis and/or diagnosis of the cause of death and/or to provide data required for the research program.

The skills and knowledge required to carry out post-mortem examination of research 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

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately be assessed in an animal research facility or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions that has a scientific establishment licence and access to an approved AEC.

There must also be access to a range of dead 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 more than 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

third-party evidence

workplace documentation (e.g. post-mortem brief)

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).


Range Statement

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.

Considerations for a site suitable for post-mortem may include:

a suitable laboratory

a post-mortem site that:

can be cleaned both before and after the examination

is located away from other animals to avoid stress to live animals

blood and fluids not being able to contaminate surrounding areas or facilities.

Correct clothing, equipment and resources may include:

an autopsy kit containing:

a knife

a steel or sharpening stone

bucket, scrubbing brush and disinfectant

plastic bags or containers to collect specimens

plastic or rubber disposable gloves

scissors and forceps or tweezers

swabs

clothing:

surgical gowns, caps, masks, boots and gloves

other equipment:

optical aids

pen and notebook

wheelbarrow or trolley for disposal of the carcass.

Animals that may be included are:

on most occasions the animal species will be common laboratory animals:

guinea pigs

mice

rabbits

rats

on some occasions animal species may include:

amphibians, fish and reptiles

dogs and cats

fish

invertebrates

livestock (e.g. sheep, cattle and pigs)

native wildlife (e.g. marsupials and birds)

primates

poultry.

Vitals signs to be checked will include:

pulse, respiration and papillary light reflex.

Preliminary information that should be collected before conducting the post-mortem examination should include:

date of death or the date animal was found dead

identification number and age of animal

location of animal (e.g. pen, shed or paddock number)

weight

body condition

previous health problems

period of ill health if any (e.g. when first noted as being sick or off feed)

health of other animals in the same institution

specific information relating to the experimental program

other details required by the AEC and institutional policies and procedures.

Abnormal characteristics to be considered may include:

abnormal characteristics might be anything that cannot be diagnosed or explained from previous experience

where abnormal characteristics appear to be present, they should be referred immediately to a veterinary laboratory.

OHS hazards associated with animal technician procedures include:

animal bites, kicks or scratches

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of anaesthetic agents, chemicals and scavenging systems

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)

zoonoses.

Expert assistance that may be needed includes:

a veterinarian where unusual symptoms are detected:

the presence of notifiable and potentially hazardous conditions or diseases, such as anthrax or other zoonoses

large or small organs

excessive fluid and swellings.

Personal biosecurity clean-up may include:

clothing changed and placed in appropriate bin for laundering

disposable gloves are disinfected before being disposed

footwear disinfected if appropriate

hands thoroughly washed and dried.


Sectors

Unit sector

Animal technology


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.