Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide high quality nursing care for patients (animals) treated or housed in a veterinary practice. It includes providing advice to clients (animal owners), monitoring animals and providing animal first aid as required.
This unit applies to veterinary nurses, who work independently under the supervision of a registered veterinarian in a veterinary practice. Veterinary nurses who nurse animals need to hold and apply specialised knowledge of animal anatomy, physiology and pharmacology.
Legislative and regulatory requirements apply to veterinary nurses but vary according to state/territory jurisdictions. Users must check with the relevant regulatory authority before delivery.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify patients and monitor clinical signs | 1.1 Identify patients according to features and fixed identification 1.2 Perform preliminary examination of animal, document results and communicate to the veterinarian 1.3 Interview client to obtain relevant information about animal 1.4 Establish patient needs in consultation with the veterinarian 1.5 Apply animal first aid according to veterinary advice |
2. Communicate with clients concerning hospitalised patients | 2.1 Counsel and inform clients of patient's progress and condition at regular intervals 2.2 Check patient records to ensure routines are communicated to client |
3. Provide animal care in pain situations | 3.1 Identify animal anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and a range of analgesics as they relate to nursing animals 3.2 Identify and record audible, visual or measurable signs of pain to assist in the identification of the need for analgesics 3.3 Identify and report behavioural changes indicating pain 3.4 Use an empathetic and caring approach in the husbandry of animals in pain 3.5 Use compassionate and safe handling techniques according to WHS requirements 3.6 Use industry recognised pain management techniques to minimise patient trauma |
4. Care for animals | 4.1 Provide nursing intervention for individual animals 4.2 Implement prescribed routines and record treatments 4.3 Carry out and record patient observations using industry terminology 4.4 Return animals to owner or housing after treatment |
5. Care for hospitalised animals | 5.1 Provide basic animal welfare requirements 5.2 Maintain environment specifically required for individual animals 5.3 Monitor and facilitate patient’s bodily functions 5.4 Carry out and record regular monitoring of patients 5.5 Carry out industry-recognised animal psychological support in conjunction with patient monitoring |
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 |
Numeracy | Weigh and measure animals Monitor animal vital signs Calculate, measure and administer treatments as directed |
Get the work done | Observe animals to recognise signs of pain or changes in condition Problem-solve appropriate strategies for pain management techniques Address irregularities and contingencies in the context of the work role |
Sectors
Veterinary Nursing (VET)