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 RUV4608A

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. Prepare surgery schedules

1.1. Surgery schedules  are prepared and prioritised in consultation with the veterinarian and theatre nurse.

1.2. Accurate patient histories are collated and prepared in accordance with clinic policy.

1.3. Surgery programs are facilitated in cooperation with the supervising veterinarian.

2. Implement surgery preparations

2.1. Surgical packs  are prepared for scheduled procedures as instructed.

2.2. Routine surgical site preparation procedures are coordinated in accordance with the veterinarian's instructions workplace health and safety  requirements.

2.3. Staff preparation routines  are carried out in accordance with clinic policy.

2.4. Anaesthetic equipment is checked for correct operation in accordance with manufacturers' specifications.

2.5. Veterinarian, theatre personnel and self are appropriately dressed  in accordance with clinic policy.

3. Clean, maintain and store theatre instruments , equipment and supplies 

3.1. Theatre debris and disposable equipment  are safely disposed of in accordance with legislative requirements.

3.2. Instruments are cleaned and sterilised in accordance with clinic policies and procedures.

3.3. Instruments are grouped according to type and usage and stored after use.

3.4. Equipment and supplies are maintained in accordance with clinic policy.

3.5. Equipment maintenance procedures are implemented to ensure machines are functional and operational.

3.6. Gowns and drapes are sterilised in accordance with clinic policies and procedures.

4. Carry out post-operative theatre routines.

4.1. Theatre cleaning personnel are organised in accordance with clinic policy.

4.2. Theatre and preparation room supplies  are verified in accordance with clinic policy.

4.3. Theatre is restored to a fully stocked condition in accordance with clinic policy.

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

Required skills

Ability to: 

• assist the veterinarian safely and effectively as directed and work as part of a team
• clean and sterilise surgical equipment as required
• complete post-operative theatre procedures
• recognise, respond to and assist with emergencies
• supervise the preparation of surgery schedules, including the preparation of the surgical environment and relevant staff
• use, and record the use of, chemicals and medicines in accordance with relevant state or territory legislation
• use interpersonal skills to relate to 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 operate equipment
• use problem-solving skills to prioritise tasks and coordinate theatre routines.

Required knowledge

Knowledge of: 

• animal anatomy and physiology related to medical and surgical nursing routines
• aseptic technique
• clinic policies and procedures, including workplace health and safety
• legislative requirements and health regulations for the storage, use and disposal of chemicals and biological debris from veterinary procedures
• possible requirements of the surgeon during operations
• range of routine surgical instruments and equipment used in preparation and theatre areas
• relevant state or territory legislative requirements for animal welfare
• safe work practices
• sterilisation techniques, including the operation of autoclaves and an awareness of alternative sterilisation techniques, including gamma irradiation, ethylene oxide and chemical sterilisation and their associated health hazards
• Veterinary Practitioner Acts and Regulations.

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:

• prepare surgery and organise surgery schedules
• prepare surgical packs and routine surgical sites
• prepare and gown theatre personnel, including self
• maintain equipment, instruments, materials and supplies
• clean, maintain and store theatre instruments, equipment, materials and supplies
• complete post-operative theatre routines
• communicate effectively with the veterinarian and follow instructions.

The skills and knowledge required to coordinate and perform theatre routines 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 for this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a veterinary nursing workplace with access to 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.

Surgery schedule  considerations may include:

• sterile and non-sterile
• body cavity invasive or superficial
• orthopaedic
• orthodontic
• soft tissue
• presence of infection
• parturition
• species of animal and the arrival of emergencies.

Preparation of surgical packs  may require:

• procedures that may include:

• elective surgery
• trauma repair
• orthopaedic surgery
• reconstructive surgery
• tumour removal

• preparation may include:

• identifying which packs are required for which procedures, grouping them for each patient and adding extra requirements, such as scalpel blades and suture materials.

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.

Staff preparation routines  may include:

• task allocations and timetabling
• the exposure of junior staff to the range of surgical procedures carried out in the clinic.

Appropriate dressing  may include:

• surgical gowns, caps, masks, boots and gloves
• optical aids
• theatre clothing.

Instruments , equipment and supplies  may include:

• instruments:

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

• anaesthetic equipment and supplies:

• anaesthetic machine
• anaesthetic trolleys
• filters
• gas cylinders
• incubators
• masks
• re-breathing bags
• scavenging system
• soda lime and canisters
• tubes
• vaporisers

• equipment that may be required for:

• anaesthetic monitoring
• cryosurgery
• diathermy
• suction

• supplies:

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

Theatre debris and disposable equipment  may include:

• contaminated swabs
• excised tissue
• needles
• sharps
• syringes.

Theatre and preparation supplies  may include:

• anaesthetic supplies
• bone pins and other orthopaedic equipment
• consumables and disposables
• emergency drugs
• intravenous fluids
• sterile scrubbing brushes
• surgical cloves
• suturing material
• theatre caps.