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Unit of competency details

ACMARM405 - Assist with the euthanasia of animals (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes and is equivalent to ACMACR405 - Assist with the euthanasia of sick, injured or unwanted pound animalsTitle changed. Minor changes to and reordering of some performance criteria. Assessment requirements updated 12/Apr/2021

Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 13/Apr/2021

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  13/Apr/2021 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 4.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with the euthanasia of animals in a safe and humane manner that complies with animal welfare, ethical and legislative requirements.

This unit applies to individuals who assist with the euthanasia of animals under the supervision of a registered veterinarian as part of their work in an animal holding facility. They may also assist a veterinarian or authorised/licensed person who performs the euthanasia of animals in field situations. They apply specialist knowledge and skills to provide solutions for predictable and unpredictable problems.

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

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit. Users are advised to check with the relevant state or territory regulatory authority for current requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Animal Regulation and Management (ARM)

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 euthanise an animal under supervision

1.1 Identify animal intended for euthanasia according to legislation, workplace policies and procedures and veterinarian or authorised persons' instructions

1.2 Confirm animal ownership and relevant authorisations, licences, permits and delegation required to conduct euthanasia, including checking appeals

1.3 Confirm method of euthanasia that is consistent with workplace policies and procedures and legislative requirements

1.4 Prepare equipment and materials required for euthanasia and for chemical restraint, as required

1.5 Determine required human assistance for the procedure, and organise

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

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, restrain and transport animal safely to minimise animal pain and distress during euthanasia

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

2.4 Confirm death of animal with veterinarian or supervisor according to workplace procedures

3. Carry out post-euthanasia tasks

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

3.2 Dispose of animal carcass and biological waste according to workplace and legislative requirements

3.3 Dispose of single-use items and sanitise, clean and store equipment and materials

3.4 Update records relating to euthanised animal according to workplace 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
  • Interpret information within animal identity records

Writing
  • Update euthanasia records using correct terminology

Oral communication
  • Listen actively to instructions from veterinarian and ask clarifying questions

Numeracy
  • Measure and calculate weight, ratio and time related to euthanasia tasks

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version

Code and title previous version

Comments

Equivalence status

ACMARM405 Assist with the euthanasia of animals

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

Title changed

Minor changes to and reordering of some performance criteria

Assessment requirements updated

Equivalent

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 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 4.0.

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 at least 3 live animals (in species commonly encountered), under the direct supervision of a veterinarian or authorised/licensed person, including:

  • applied correct animal identification, handling and restraint techniques
  • confirmed suitable method of euthanasia according to the size and number of animals and legislative constraints
  • selected and correctly used equipment used for euthanasia, including personal protective equipment
  • maintained high standards of hygiene, biosecurity and infection control, on each occasion, to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection
  • disposed of biological waste and deceased animal (not required for research or post-mortem purposes) according to workplace procedures and 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:

  • requirements of legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to euthanasia in animal management and regulatory environments
  • meaning of euthanasia and humane killing
  • suitability of different methods of euthanasia for a range of species
  • equipment and drugs commonly used for euthanasia, including:
  • personal protective equipment
  • restraint equipment for different species
  • injection methods and techniques used in chemical euthanasia
  • methods and types of equipment and materials used in euthanasia, including captive bolt, firearms and lethal injections
  • basic anatomy and physiology of animals commonly euthanised, including:
  • location and routes of administration for lethal injections
  • aiming points for firearms and captive bolts
  • life signs and indicators of death
  • handling deceased animals with dignity
  • workplace procedures and legislative requirements relating to disposal of biological waste, biosecurity, infection control and hygiene standards
  • psychological health and safety hazards relating to euthanasia, and coping strategies for dealing with distress and grief in the workplace
  • principles of animal welfare and ethics related to euthanasia.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

  • physical conditions:
  • a workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • live animals identified according to workplace procedures as requiring euthanasia as specified in the performance evidence
  • personal protective and safety equipment
  • workplace record-keeping/information management system
  • specifications:
  • relevant state or territory legislation
  • animal welfare codes of practice relating to euthanasia of animals
  • relationships:
  • a veterinarian or authorised/licensed person to supervise euthanasia as specified in the performance evidence.

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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