Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the process of assisting with the preparation of patients (animals) and the theatre for surgery, providing pre- and post-operative patient care and cleaning surgical and theatre equipment in a veterinary clinic. 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. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit is applicable to new entrants to the veterinary industry and will provide an individual with the background and ability to assist with surgery preparations 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
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
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 animal for surgery under direction |
1.1. Animal intakes and pre-operative procedures are organised for specified periods as instructed. 1.2. Clinic procedures and occupational health and safety (OHS ) requirements are followed. 1.3. Assist with pre-operative animal preparation . 1.4. Patient is safely and humanely transferred to theatre for treatment. 1.5. Relevant patient records are provided to the veterinarian as requested. |
2. Prepare theatre or surgical operating area for use |
2.1. Operating table, required equipment and environs are cleaned and disinfected in accordance with clinic policies. 2.2. Surgical packs and equipment selected by the qualified veterinary nurse are transferred and/or established to/in theatre or the surgical operating area. 2.3. Staff preparation support is provided in accordance with clinic policies. |
3. Provide pre- and post-operative patient care |
3.1. Patient is cleaned in accordance with clinic policies. 3.2. Patient is safely transferred to recovery area. 3.3. Vital signs' observations are recorded as instructed by the veterinarian. 3.4. Signs of pain are recognised and reported. |
4. Clean theatre equipment |
4.1. Theatre equipment and surrounds are cleaned and disinfected in accordance with clinic policies. 4.2. Surgical equipment is cleaned, maintained and sterilised in accordance with clinic policies. 4.3. Theatre linen is washed and prepared for sterilisation. 4.4. Equipment and gowns are stored safely after use. |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
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Required knowledge |
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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 competence 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 assist with surgery preparation 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 of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a veterinary practice or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. There must be access to a range of animals and the relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. |
Method of assessment |
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and where possible, 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
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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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OHS risks when working with animals may include: |
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Animal preparation for surgery may include: |
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Surgical packs and equipment may include: |
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Staff preparation support may include: |
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Vital signs include: |
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Signs of pain may include: |
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Theatre equipment may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Veterinary nursing |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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