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Unit of competency details

ACMACR405 - Assist with the euthanasia of sick, injured or unwanted pound animals (Release 2)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Superseded
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes and is equivalent to ACMACR405A - Euthanase sick, injured or unwanted pound animalsUpdated to meet Standards for Training Packages Title changed to reflect application of unit 28/Nov/2017
Is superseded by and equivalent to ACMARM405 - Assist with the euthanasia of animalsTitle changed. Minor changes to and reordering of some performance criteria. Assessment requirements updated 12/Apr/2021

Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
2 (this release) 10/Sep/2019
(View details for release 1) 29/Nov/2017

Companion volumes:
Unit of competency Assessment requirements

Delivery:
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Training packages that include this unit

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Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  29/Nov/2017 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 2

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 3.0.

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 1.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with the euthanasia of sick, injured or unwanted pound animals in a humane way that complies with safe operating practices and with ethical, welfare and legislative requirements.

This unit applies to individuals who are required to assist with the euthanasia of animals under the supervision of a registered veterinarian as part of their work in a pound. The individual is also required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

This unit may cover assisting a veterinarian or authorised/licensed person who performs the euthanasia of animals in field situations. The individual must work under the direct supervision of a registered veterinarian.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to state/territory health and safety regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.

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-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Animal Control and Regulation (ACR)

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. Prepare to euthanase an animal under supervision

1.1 Identify animal intended for euthanasia according to organisational policies and procedures or veterinarian instructions

1.2 Select method of euthanasia that is consistent with organisational policies and procedures and legislative requirements

1.3 Prepare equipment and materials required for euthanasia

1.4 Determine required human assistance for the procedure, and organise

1.5 Identify hazards associated with the procedure according to workplace health and safety and biosecurity procedures

1.6 Obtain and review licences and permits required to conduct euthanasia with the supervisor

2. Assist with euthanasia of an animal under supervision

2.1 Use personal protective and safety equipment according to workplace health and safety standards and statutory requirements

2.2 Handle and transport equipment safely at all times according to industry standards

2.3 Ensure animal is physically restrained in a way that minimises its pain and distress

2.4 Assist with the application of euthanasia method

2.5 Monitor euthanasia procedure to ensure that the animal's death is rapid and without complications or undue suffering

2.6 Confirm death of animal

3. Carry out post-euthanasia tasks

3.1 Handle and move carcass if required for research or post-mortem examination according to organisational policies and procedures and legislative requirements

3.2 Dispose of animal carcass and biological waste according to organisational policies and procedures and legislative requirements

3.3 Dispose of, or decontaminate, clean and store, equipment and materials according to standard operating procedures

3.4 Update records relating to the euthanased animal according to organisational policies and 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

Writing
  • Make notes of chosen method of euthanasia

Oral communication
  • Listen carefully to instructions from veterinarian and ask clarifying questions as required

Numeracy
  • Calculate solutions, dilutions, body weights and dose rates

Get the work done
  • Develop personal grief coping methods

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version

Code and title previous version

Comments

Equivalence status

ACMACR405 Assist with the euthanasia of sick, injured or unwanted pound animals Release 2

ACMACR405 Assist with the euthanasia of sick, injured or unwanted pound animals Release 1

Minor changes made to application to allow for assisting veterinarians with euthanasia in the field

Equivalent unit

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

 

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 2

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 3.0.

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 1.0.

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has assisted with the euthanasia of animals under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, at least three times, including:

  • selected a suitable method of euthanasia according to the size and number of animals and legislative constraints, in consultation with supervisor
  • maintained high standards of hygiene, biosecurity and infection control to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection
  • disposed of animal carcass and waste not required for research or post-mortem purposes, in accordance with legislative requirements.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

  • meaning of euthanasia and humane killing
  • injection methods and techniques
  • how to use different euthanasia equipment and materials, including captive bolt, firearms and lethal injections
  • the anatomy and physiology of animals commonly euthanased, especially the routes of administration, life signs and aiming points for firearms and captive bolts
  • the boundaries of professional behaviour in dealing with own distress and grief in the workplace
  • the equipment and drugs commonly used for euthanasia
  • the suitability of different methods of euthanasia for a range of species
  • the principles of animal welfare and ethics
  • handling deceased animals with dignity
  • the standards, guidelines and approaches to environmental sustainability relevant to the animal care industry
  • requirements of legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice, including workplace health and safety, and relevant to work undertaken in an animal control and regulation environment in relation to the euthanasia of animals.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

  • physical conditions:
  • skills must be demonstrated in an animal control and regulation workplace
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • a range of animals to be euthanased
  • personal protective and safety equipment
  • specifications:
  • access to state-based and territory-based legislation
  • animal welfare codes of practice relating to pound animals.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

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