Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide advice to clients (animal owners) about animal health, behaviour, disease and reproduction.

The unit applies to veterinary nurses who work independently, under the supervision of a registered veterinarian in a veterinary practice. Veterinary nurses who provide animal care advice need to hold and apply specialised knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology, animal health, disease and reproduction, and products available for care.

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:

• provided specific animal care advice for at least two different species, and including advice on:

• healthcare
• reproduction
• behaviour

• 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:

• practice policies and procedures related to providing advice
• animal husbandry requirements for the prevention and control of disease and illness
• types and sources of information available for treatments, medications and other animal services, including:

• company representatives and advice service
• industry associations
• library resources
• Medical Information Management System (MIMS) and other veterinary medication reference sources
• product brochures and safety data sheets (SDS)
• supervisor and other workplace staff
• validated internet sites

• animal health advice
• animal husbandry
• breeding issues:

• mating
• desexing
• care of newborn and orphan animals
• oestrus cycle
• whelping

• control of external and internal parasites
• training and socialisation:

• vaccination schedules, including heartworm preventative systems

• common vaccinations
• factors influencing animal behaviour
• animal behaviour issues, including:

• aggression
• anxiety
• barking
• destructive behaviour
• digging holes
• feather picking (birds)
• phobias
• vocalisation
• wind sucking

• behaviour modification techniques and equipment
• pet insurance and mortality policies
• work health and safety and animal welfare legislative regulations and requirements
• relevant Veterinary Surgeons’ Act 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 practice

• resources, equipment and materials:

• a range of real, live animals with varying needs
• equipment and resources typically available in a veterinary practice

• 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 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