Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

Comments 

2

ACM10v3

Reference to OHS legislation replaced with generic terminology

1

ACM10v1

Initial release. Supersedes and is equivalent to RUV4601A

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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Coordinate clinic admissions

1.1. Appointments  and other clinic procedures are scheduled .

1.2. Routine enquiries  are answered in accordance with clinic policies.

1.3. Veterinarian is consulted on relevant details and the intended actions are conveyed to the client.

2. Provide veterinary nursing care

2.1. Triage procedures  are used for all admissions in accordance with clinic policies and workplace health and safety  requirements.

2.2. Personal protective equipment  is used as relevant to the veterinary nursing care required.

2.3. Signs of pain are recognised and reported as required.

2.4. Animal first aid measures  are applied to sustain life and to minimise pain as required.

2.5. Support is provided in the clinic to the supervising veterinarian.

2.6. Veterinary medicines are prepared in accordance with industry protocols, prescriptions and as instructed by the veterinarian.

3. Provide grief support  to clients

3.1. Client needs are identified in consultation with the client and the supervising veterinarian.

3.2. Sympathy and comfort are provided to the client in accordance with clinic policies.

3.3. Level of grief is identified and appropriate action  is taken.

3.4. Industry -recognised techniques  are used in communicating with the client and providing support.

4. Implement discharge procedures

4.1. Final checks on vital signs are recorded in patient record in accordance with clinic policy.

4.2. Patient is cleaned, groomed and prepared for discharge in accordance with clinic policies.

4.3. The caring transfer of the animal back to its owners is provided.

4.4. Home care advice  is provided to the client as instructed.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this Unit.

Required skills

Ability to: 

• accurately prioritise animals for consultation as well as the ability to identify vital signs and apply first aid where necessary
• differentiate between enquiries that can be handled by a veterinary nurse and those that need veterinarian intervention
• follow clinic policies and procedures
• use, and record the use of, chemicals and medicines in accordance with relevant state or territory legislation
• use veterinary terminology pertaining to patient observations
• use interpersonal skills to relate to, communicate and negotiate with people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
• use literacy skills to read, select and implement policies and procedures, including workplace health and safety, infection control and other clinic policies and procedures; coordinate patient admission and discharge; implement sequenced written instructions; and record patient details accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language required to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic, including negotiating and questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from the owner, and acknowledging and responding to a range of views
• use numeracy skills required to prepare veterinary medicines
• use problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise tasks.

Required knowledge

Knowledge of: 

• basic first aid procedures
• clinic policies and procedures
• drugs applicable to each drug schedule and the regulations applicable in state or territory legislation
• clinical signs of illness and disease
• interview, listening and questioning techniques
• nutrition, medication, self-trauma, pain and wound management and physiotherapy requirements
• recognisable normal and abnormal vital signs
• the physiology of the range of species handled by the clinic
• the recognised stages of grieving and how to respond
• veterinary terminology pertaining to the observations of patients.

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.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency 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:

• schedule appointments and attend to routine enquiries
• coordinate clinic admissions in accordance with clinic policies and procedures for non-routine surgeries and procedures
• carry out triage procedures and apply animal first aid in accordance with required workplace health and safety procedures
• provide veterinary nursing care, including grief support, to patients and clients
• communicate effectively with the veterinarian and nurse and follow instructions
• prepare patients for discharge, provide clients with home care advice and discharge patients.

The skills and knowledge required to coordinate patient admission and discharge 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 admission and discharge cases and the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment 

To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, patients, cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:

• written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
• observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
• simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
• third-party evidence
• workplace documentation
• portfolio.

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).

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.

Appointments  may include:

• regular consultations
• non-routine surgical procedures
• support and home or farm visits.

Schedule  considerations may include:

• clinic policy
• staff availability
• other resource requirements and case priorities.

Enquiries  may be received by:

• electronic/email
• phone, fax, written and counter enquiries.

Triage procedures  requires:

• recognising and responding to emergencies and prioritising cases.

Workplace health and safety  risks when working with animals may include:

• animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
• biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
• handling of chemicals and medicines
• gas leakage
• inhalation of aerosol particles
• intraocular contamination
• manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
• needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
• release of infective agents (animal and human)
• slippery or uneven work surfaces
• zoonoses.

Personal protective equipment  may include:

• forearm and foot protection
• gowns
• gloves
• masks.

Animal first aid measures  may include:

• establish airway
• provide oxygen
• control haemorrhage
• support injured or broken limbs
• support the veterinarian in CPR procedures.

Grief support  may be required:

• as a result of owner anxiety for an animal's condition or treatment or the loss or euthanasia of an animal.

Grief support appropriate action  and industry recognised techniques  may include:

• verbal assurance and communication
• provision of grief hotline details and literature (e.g. brochures)
• providing advice on burial or cremation decisions
• follow-up contact and support.

Home care advice  may include:

• bandage care
• exercise considerations
• immediate housing requirements
• nutrition
• medication and physiotherapy requirements
• pain and wound management
• prevention of self-trauma.