Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse and assess the ethical components of a research proposal against the requirements of the organisation's Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), relevant legislation and the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (the Code).
The unit applies to individuals who contribute perspectives to the optimal and ethical design of experiments and research via inputs and feedback to the AEC.
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. Access and review animal research proposal | 1.1 Access research proposal using organisational systems and/or committee structures 1.2 Clarify own role and requirements relating to contributing feedback on the research proposal within the organisation 1.3 Apply knowledge of relevant industry codes, regulations and requirements of the organisation's AEC 1.4 Review the ethical use and treatment of animals in a research proposal using organisational procedures or tools |
2. Interpret proposal justification and proposed operations | 2.1 Assess potential benefit of proposal against the expected impact on the animals 2.2 Review proposal and identify how the replacement, reduction and refinement (3Rs) have been addressed, and make suggestions for improvements 2.3 Review timelines, staff roles and expertise, and other operational procedures 2.4 Examine experimental and humane endpoints against current animal welfare regulations and organisational expectations |
3. Evaluate risk to animals and organisation | 3.1 Review the welfare impact of the proposed research on the animals 3.2 Assess organisational and operational risk in the research proposal |
4. Report on findings | 4.1 Consolidate information and make recommendations on key aspects of the research proposal against industry standard ethics criteria 4.2 Present a summary of findings to relevant personnel in the required organisational format |
5. Monitor approved animal research | 5.1 Review amendments to research protocol against original aims 5.2 Review records or reports relating to adverse events 5.3 Analyse the annual report against original approved protocol 5.4 Inspect the animal holding and experimental areas used for the approved research 5.5 Report non-compliance, research misconduct or concerns relating to record keeping and animal welfare according to organisational and AEC procedures 5.6 Contribute feedback on ethics and animal welfare to improve processes according to organisational and AEC procedures |
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 |
Reading | Identify and analyse text with complex requirements and scientific terminology in research project documentation |
Interact with others | Work as an effective member of a team as well as independently |
Navigate the world of work | Maintain an understanding of organisational procedures so they are followed according to relevant legislation and industry standards |
Get the work done | Plan, organise and prioritise tasks to achieve work outcomes Use problem-solving processes to analyse issues and make recommendations |
Sectors
Animal Technology (ATE)