Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to coordinate surgery schedules, prepare the surgical environment and provide support for the veterinary surgeon, including before, during and after routine and non-routine surgical procedures and monitoring patients (animals) while they are under anaesthesia.

This unit applies to veterinary nurses, who work independently under the supervision of a registered veterinarian in a veterinary practice. Veterinary nurses who coordinate surgical routines need to hold and apply specialised knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology, and surgical procedures, typically carried out in a veterinary practice or hospital.

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.

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:

• coordinated and performed surgical nursing routines on a minimum of two occasions, covering at least two different species, including (for each):

• preparing the surgical environment and personnel
• maintaining asepsis and following aseptic techniques
• preparing animals for anesthesia and surgical procedures as directed by the veterinarian
• completing post-operative care patient routines
• cleaning theatre and replenishing supplies

• performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 240 hours of work in a veterinary practice.

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:

• animal anatomy and physiology related to surgical nursing routines
• aseptic techniques in veterinary surgery, including general theatre etiquette, dress rules and restricted areas
• practice policies and procedures related to preparation and cleaning of surgical suites
• legislative requirements and health regulations for the storage, use and disposal of chemicals and biological waste from veterinary procedures
• practice protocols for the storage, use and disposal of chemicals and biological debris from veterinary surgical procedures
• surgery schedule considerations, including:

• sterile and non-sterile
• body cavity invasive or superficial
• orthopaedic
• orthodontic
• soft tissue
• emergency or urgent
• presence of infection
• thoracic

• common surgical procedures and the appropriate equipment used for each, relevant to the practice
• skin antiseptics and their actions
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques
• surgical instruments and their use, including:

• air-powered and electrical powered equipment
• bone chucks
• bone plates and screws
• clamps
• forceps
• needle holders
• retractors
• scalpels
• scissors
• suture materials

• appropriate preparation of surgery packs, including identifying which packs are required for which procedures, grouping them for each patient and adding extra requirements, including scalpel blades and suture materials
• appropriate wound management procedures
• post-operative bandage, splint and cast care
• equipment used in theatre, including:

• lighting
• active warming

• surgical supplies and their use, including:

• catheters
• drains
• laparotomy sponges
• needles and sutures
• swabs
• syringes

• Australian Standards relevant to sterilisation techniques
• sterilisation techniques, including the operation of autoclaves and alternative sterilisation techniques, including gamma irradiation, ethylene oxide and chemical sterilisation and their associated health hazards
• anaesthetic equipment and supplies
• dangers related to anaesthetic agents
• audible, visual or measured signs of pain, including:

• arching back
• behavioural changes
• biting and kicking
• elevated temperature
• increased respiration
• increased vocalisation
• withdrawal of affected limbs
• straining
• trembling and changes in normal physiology

• pain scoring systems
• vital signs and reflexes monitored under anaesthesia, including:

• blood pressure
• pulse rate and quality
• respiratory rate and effort
• rectal temperature
• pulse oximetry and blood gases
• end tidal carbon dioxide
• electrocardiography
• capillary refill time
• palpebral reflex
• heart rate and rhythm
• mucous membrane colour
• pedal withdrawal reflex

• relevant state and territory legislative requirements for animal welfare
• relevant Veterinary Surgeons’ Act and Regulations.

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 surgery

• resources, equipment and materials:

• a range of real, live animals
• equipment, instruments and resources typically available for veterinary surgery, including equipment used for post-operative care

• 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 who regularly carries out surgical procedures on animals.

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