Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with the preparation of patients (animals) and the theatre for surgery, provide pre- and post-operative patient care, and clean surgical and theatre equipment in a veterinary practice.

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 veterinary nurses but vary according to state/territory jurisdictions. Users must check with the relevant regulatory authority before 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:

• prepared operating area appropriately on at least one occasion
• assisted with the preparation at least two different animals for surgery, including:

• assisting with pre- and post-operative care for both animals

• cleaned operating area appropriately on a minimum of one occasion.

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:

• practice policies and procedures, including work health and safety requirements related to surgical preparation, clean-up and the care of pre- and post-operative animals
• risks involved with working with animals in surgery, including:

• animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
• biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
• handling of chemicals and medicines
• anaesthetic gas leakage
• intraoperative radiology
• inhalation of aerosol particles
• intraocular contamination
• manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
• sharps injuries
• slippery or uneven work surfaces
• zoonosis

• general theatre etiquette, dress rules and 'no-go' areas related to surgery preparation assistant role
• practice protocols for the storage, use and disposal of chemicals and biological debris from veterinary surgical procedures
• techniques used to transfer patients for surgical procedures
• range of equipment and surgical packs required in both the preparation, recovery and theatre areas, including:

• anaesthetic equipment
• bandaging
• disposables
• drapes
• surgical instruments
• sutures

• instrument processing and sterilisation procedures according to relevant Australian Standards
• autoclave operation
• aseptic techniques
• factors affecting sterility
• veterinary terminology related to patient observations
• methods used to monitor a general range of vital signs of animals serviced at the nominated practice, including:

• pulse rate and quality
• respiration rate and effort
• temperature
• capillary refill time
• mucous membrane colour
• heart rate

• signs of pain that may be audible, visual or measured
• pain scoring systems
• post-surgical cleaning of animals
• post-surgical equipment storage requirements.

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 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 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