Modification History
Release |
TP Version |
Comments |
2 |
ACM10v3 |
Reference to OHS legislation replaced with generic terminology |
1 |
ACM10v1 |
Initial release. Supersedes and is equivalent to RUV4605A |
Unit Descriptor
This Unit of Competency covers the process of preparing the surgical environment and providing total support for the surgeon. The Unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for, and provide support during and after, routine and non-routine surgical procedures, including monitoring patients while they are under anaesthesia.
Application of the Unit
This Unit applies to a veterinary nurse working under supervision of a veterinarian in a veterinary clinic or similar practice. 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.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
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.
Pre-Requisites
Nil.
Employability Skills Information
This Unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare for surgical procedures |
1.1. Consent forms are completed in cooperation with owners and pre -operative care advice is provided in consultation with the veterinarian 1.2. Surgery equipment suitable for the species is selected and prepared ready for the surgeon in accordance with workplace health and safety and clinic policies and procedures. 1.3. Surgical packs are sourced for scheduled procedures. 1.4. Pre -operative processes are carried out in accordance with required procedures and industry standards. 1.5. Safe work practices are adopted and practised as an integral part of the clinic's theatre procedures. |
2. Provide support for surgical routines |
2.1. Animals are prepared for anaesthesia and the surgical procedure in accordance with clinic policies and procedures. 2.2. Analgesics are administered to patients as directed by the veterinarian and in accordance with legislative requirements. 2.3. Animals are held, restrained or positioned during the operation and administration of anaesthesia as instructed. 2.4. Sterile and/or non-sterile assistance is provided to the veterinarian as instructed. 2.5. Routines are carried out and theatre equipment is provided to the veterinarian as instructed. |
3. Monitor patients and anaesthesia |
3.1. Anaesthesia induction and maintenance is continually monitored under veterinary supervision. 3.2. Endotracheal intubation is completed in accordance with clinic policy. 3.3. Pain and vital signs are monitored and recorded as instructed from premedication to anaesthesia through to recovery. 3.4. Anaesthetic depth is assessed and response is initiated in accordance with clinic policies and procedures. 3.5. Emergency procedures are followed in accordance with clinic policy. 3.6. Post -operative anaesthesia procedures are completed in accordance with clinic policy. |
4. Perform post-operative procedures |
4.1. Wound or surgical site is monitored post-operatively for signs of abnormality . 4.2. Defined post -operative patient management procedures are carried out in accordance with the veterinarian's instructions. 4.3. Post-operative advice is provided to the animal owner in accordance with the veterinarian's instructions. |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this Unit. |
Required skills |
Ability to:
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Required knowledge |
Knowledge of:
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Evidence Guide
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. |
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Overview of assessment |
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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:
The skills and knowledge required to carry out surgical nursing routines 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 for this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a veterinary nursing workplace with access to the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. |
Method of assessment |
To ensure consistency of 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, patients, cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities. The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:
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. |
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Surgical procedures may include: |
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Pre -operative care advice may include: |
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Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include: |
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Sourcing surgical packs may include: |
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Pre -operative processes may include but are not limited to: |
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Animal preparation may include: |
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Use and types of analgesics may include: |
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Sterile assistance may include: |
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Routines may include: |
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Types of anaesthesia may include: |
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Pain and vital signs monitoring and recording may include: |
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Emergency procedures related to anaesthesia may be required for: |
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Post -operative anaesthesia procedures may include: |
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Abnormalities may include: |
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Post -operative patient management procedures may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Veterinary nursing