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 and maintain required materials and equipment

select and apply appropriate methods of euthanasia to kill a range of research animals in a humane, rapid and appropriate manner for the approved endpoint in accordance with supervisor's instructions, relevant codes of practice, legislation and codes of practice

dispose of animal carcasses and biological waste not required for research or post-mortem purposes in accordance with statutory requirements

decontaminate, clean and store equipment and materials or dispose of them accordingly

use appropriate coping mechanisms to deal with personal distress or grief

maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to conduct euthanasia 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

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.

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

case study analysis

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).

Required skills

acquire firearms licences (as appropriate/required) and comply with relevant regulations if shooting is an approved method of euthanasing animals

complete relevant work-related documents

consult with other staff and identify when direction and advice is needed from senior and more experienced staff

employ safe, humane and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling and working with animals

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

monitor animal health and behaviour

set up and use carbon dioxide cylinders and regulators

use and store drugs correctly

literacy skills to read and follow facility policies and procedures, including OHS, infection control and waste management; develop 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 institution, including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with supervisors

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

interpersonal skills to work cooperatively 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 assess appropriate strategies

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 in research facilities

anatomy and physiology of animals commonly held in the institution, especially the neck and head, and respiration and heart rates

biohazards in the workplace of significance to animals and humans

equipment and drugs commonly used for euthanasia

firearm legislation, regulations and techniques related to the humane destruction of animals if required

institution's standard operating procedures relating to the restraint, handling, euthanasing and disposal of animals

methods and administration routes of euthanasia and their suitability for a range of species

methods used to cope with distress and grief due to workplace duties

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

physical conditions, vital signs of animals as well as signs of pain and distress in commonly held species

principles of animal welfare and ethics

protocols, legal and ethical considerations in the euthanasing of animals

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

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 and research

safe animal handling techniques and procedures

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

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.

Need for euthanasia may include:

accidents

cull of production

environmental failure; fire or other trauma

excessive aggression

meeting the requirements of product quality assurance

outbreak of disease

reaching the end point of research

the need to alleviate uncontrollable pain and distress.

Methods of euthanasia may include:

chemical or physical methods of euthanasia:

barbiturate overdose through an acceptable injection route

captive bolt

cervical dislocation

decapitation by guillotine

gas

gunshot

microwave.

Equipment and materials that may be required to conduct euthanasia include:

carbon dioxide gas cylinders and regulators

captive bolts

chemicals

drugs

needles

sealed and approved containment cages

scales

syringes

restraining devices and drugs.

Location should be selected to ensure:

animals are euthanised in a quiet, clean environment and normally away from other animals.

OHS risks associated with euthanasing animals may include:

animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

cross-contamination between project classified clean and dirty animals

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

gas leakage

handling of chemicals and medicines

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

potential injuries to humans during capture, handling and transport processes

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

transmission of zoonotic diseases.

Statutory requirements that impact on the euthanasia of animals include:

approval from the institution's AEC

relevant codes of practice, including the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes

local government regulations covering the transport and disposal of hazardous wastes

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations such as those relating to:

firearms usage

fisheries

prevention of cruelty to animals

quarantine

the practice of veterinary surgery

the administration and storage of therapeutic and controlled substances

wildlife.

Grief and stress coping mechanisms may include:

advising workplace supervisor of the situation

seeking and accepting support from colleagues

seeking and accepting assistance from professional counsellors

practising stress management techniques

requesting and participating in formal or informal debriefing sessions.