Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Surgical procedures may include:
procedures for both small and large animals, including orthopaedic, ophthalmic and soft tissue
defined surgical procedures, including diathermy and cryosurgery.
Pre-operative care advice may include:
fasting and limited fluid intake.
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.
Sourcing surgical packs may include:
identifying which packs are required for which procedures
grouping packs for each patient and adding extra requirements, such as:
bandaging equipment
scalpel blades
suture materials.
Pre-operative processes may include but are not limited to:
weighing patients
noting patient's previous experience with general anaesthetic
accessing blankets, protective gloves and anaesthetic boxes
aseptic preparation of operating areas and injection sites
selecting appropriate endotracheal tubes
preparing correct quantities of anaesthetic agents under veterinary supervision
administering necessary premedication, medication and analgesia under veterinary supervision.
Animal preparation may include:
applying restraining devices:
muzzles, rearing bits, head collars, halters or hobbles
clipping, shaving and pre-surgical skin preparation routines
further preparation under veterinary supervision may extend to:
administration of necessary premedication, intubation and the insertion of intravenous or urinary catheters
preparation of equipment and materials for intravenous infusions.
Use and types of analgesics may include:
administration of analgesics may be used for the provision of:
pre-emptive analgesia
inter-operative analgesia
post-operative analgesia
analgesia types administered by the veterinarian or under veterinary supervision:
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
narcotic and other analgesics.
Sterile assistance may include:
nurse may be required to scrub-up, glove, cap and gown in order to provide sterile equipment in a sterile field.
Routines may include:
adjustment of lights, equipment and the patient as directed by the surgeon
presentation, alignment and exposure of the surgical site as directed by the surgeon
presentation of sterile packs, individual instruments, equipment and suturing materials
receiving, preparation and dispatch of pathological samples under veterinary supervision.
Types of anaesthesia may include:
gaseous and injectable preparations
intermittent positive pressure ventilations.
Pain and vital signs monitoring and recording may include:
audible, visual or measured signs of pain:
arching back
behavioural changes
biting and kicking
displacement of bones
elevated temperature
increased respiration
increased vocalisation
withdrawal of affected limbs
straining
trembling and changes in normal physiology
vital signs and reflexes monitored under anaesthesia:
blood pressure
pulse rate and quality
respiratory rate and effort
rectal temperature
pulse oximetry and blood gases
anaesthesia depth
capillary refill time
palpebral reflex
heart rate
mucous membrane colour
pedal withdrawal reflex.
Emergency procedures related to anaesthesia may be required for:
anaesthetic emergencies
haemorrhage
hypothermia or hyperthermia
respiratory distress
shock.
Post-operative anaesthesia procedures may include:
continued monitoring of vital signs
extubation
monitoring wounds, bandages and surgical sites for any abnormalities
positioning of patient recumbency in consideration of recovery phase and surgical site and adjustment of intravenous fluid therapy rates as directed by the surgeon.
Abnormalities may include:
post-operative abnormalities in wounds and surgical sites:
haemorrhage or other exudation
swelling and self-trauma
other abnormalities:
cold extremities
delayed recovery
increased heart rate
increased respiratory rate or abdominal distension
low body temperature
pale mucous membranes.
Post-operative patient management procedures may include:
care and continued monitoring of vital signs and observation of abnormalities prior to an animal's release
advice to the owner, in line with veterinarian's instructions, regarding administering medicine, general care and follow-up treatment and/or follow-up visits.

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 surgical instruments and equipment, including surgical packs, in an aseptic environment ready for surgery
carry out preoperative processes
prepare animals for anaesthesia and surgical procedures and administer analgesics as directed by the veterinarian
handle and restrain animals in a safe and ethical manner
provide effective sterile and/or non-sterile support to the veterinarian during surgical procedures
monitor patients' vital signs and anaesthesia during surgery
provide post-operative care for animals and post-operative advice for clients
communicate effectively with the veterinarian and clients.
The skills and knowledge required to carry out surgical nursing 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).