Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to carry out post-operative nursing routines, and discharge patients (animals) that have undergone specialised surgical procedures into the care of clients (owners).

This unit applies to nurses who work in a veterinary practice under the supervision of a registered veterinarian who is at a minimum a Member of the Australia and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS), and who regularly performs advanced surgical procedures on animals. Managing these nursing requirements requires access to a veterinary practice where specialised surgical procedures are performed by veterinary surgeons on patients using the required equipment, instruments and resources.

This unit applies to individuals who exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work. They analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities. They demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area and work in a range of routine and non-routine contexts.

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:

• carried out post-operative nursing routines for at least three patients, covering a minimum of two species, and including:

• implementing minimum of two nutritional plans
• maintaining and monitoring a fluid therapy plan and intravenous catheter site for a minimum of one patient
• applying assisted feeding procedures at least once, including enteral nutrition via feeding tubes and performing maintenance of tubes
• monitoring and maintaining indwelling urinary catheters at least once, including calculating urinary output reporting abnormalities to surgeon

• applied physical therapy techniques to surgical patients including at least three of the following:

• cryotherapy
• thermotherapy
• massage
• active and passive exercises
• assisted mobility

• applied and monitored a minimum of two different wound dressing and bandages
• monitored active and passive drains at least once
• monitored and managed at least one open wound that included the individual having:

• applied moist wound healing principles
• wound bed preparation
• lavage and debridement

• monitored at least two recumbent patients post-operatively
• performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 240 hours of work in a veterinary hospital or veterinary practice where specialist surgical procedures are regularly performed.

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 post-operative nursing routines
• nutritional requirements after specialised surgical procedures, including calculation of energy requirements using the correct formula
• pain management techniques for post-operative recovery
• principles of animal welfare and ethics related to surgical procedures and post-operative recovery
• how to recognise post-operative emergencies
• state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, work health and safety and animal welfare in surgical recovery contexts
• state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances related to surgical and post-operative contexts
• nursing care plan design and models
• fluid therapy, including:

• intravenous catheter placement techniques
• catheter maintenance procedures
• fluid types
• calculation of fluid plans
• additives to fluids

• appropriate nutrition for various disease states and surgical recovery
• enteral feeding tube placement techniques and maintenance procedures
• physical therapy techniques, including:

• cryotherapy
• thermotherapy
• massage
• active and passive exercises
• assisted mobility strategies

• wound dressings and bandages, including:

• abdominal bandage
• thoracic bandage
• head bandage
• ear bandage
• Velpeau
• Ehmer sling
• dressings and bandages for open wounds

• specialised bandages and their use
• active and passive drain maintenance procedures
• open wound management strategies, including:

• physiology of wound healing
• moist wound healing principles
• wound bed preparation
• lavage and debridement techniques
• signs of wound breakdown and complications

• recumbent patient care, including:

• bladder management
• bedding and positioning aids
• patient positioning and turning
• urine scald preventative measures and treatment
• decubital ulcer preventative measures and treatment
• body temperature monitoring
• respiratory care including postural drainage, coupáge and nebulisation techniques
• patient hygiene and grooming
• patient mental health care

• workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants and sterilisation, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials related to post-operative routines
• sources of information and providers of physical therapy techniques and procedures for post-operative recovery
• home care requirements and potential problems with home nursing of post-operative patients.

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 hospital or surgery

• resources, equipment and materials:

• a range of real patients
• equipment, instruments and resources typically available for veterinary surgery, including specialised 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 a registered veterinarian who is at a minimum a Member of the Australia and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS), and who regularly performs advanced 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