Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist in providing treatments for patients (animals) on a daily basis, to maintain practice hygiene and assist with inventory and practice security.

This unit applies to new entrants to the veterinary industry who work under the supervision of a qualified veterinary nurse or registered veterinarian, in a veterinary practice.

Legislative and regulatory requirements apply to the performance of veterinary tasks (or work). These vary according to state/territory jurisdictions and users must check with the relevant regulatory authority before training 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.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Veterinary Nursing (VET)

Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Unit Mapping Information

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

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:

• cleaned and disinfected animal housing, treatment area and general practice areas of clinic
• carried out daily patient treatments and observations on three different animals, covering two different species, including:

• handling and restraining animal appropriately
• measuring and monitoring animal’s vital signs
• recognising signs and symptoms of illness or abnormalities
• following instructions for food and water

• communicated effectively with supervisor using appropriate industry vocabulary
• assisted in stock control.

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:

• observation protocols and checking animal vital signs and expected normal ranges for animals, including:

• temperature
• heart rate/pulse
• respiration rate

• veterinary terminology relevant to observations of patients and treatments
• practice policies, including:

• cleaning of animals, housing and equipment, and disposal of waste
• practice security procedures, including computer passwords, deadlocks, lighting, and locked cabinets for drugs and safe

• patient histories of animals housed at the practice
• isolation procedures
• consequences of administering prescribed medication to animals
• disinfectants, cleaning agents and techniques
• risks associated with working with animals, including animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
• hazards associated with the use, misuse, spillage and disposal of veterinary medicines, chemicals and animal waste
• key features of legislative requirements relating to the handling, administration, storage and security of medications
• key features of relevant regulations for veterinary medicines and their use.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• in the workplace or an environment that accurately reflects a veterinary clinic

• resources, equipment and materials:

• a range of real, live animals
• equipment and resources typically available in a veterinary hospital

• specifications:

• access to organisational policies and procedures, current legislation, regulations and relevant codes of practice

• relationships (internal and/or external):

• interactions with real clients
• interactions with a registered veterinarian or minimum of Certificate IV qualified veterinary nurse.

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