Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
OHS 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.
Animal preparation for surgery may include:
animal restraint
clipping, cleaning and preparation of surgical site
positioning of the patient.
Surgical packs and equipment may include:
anaesthetic equipment
bandaging
disposables
drapes
surgical instruments
sutures.
Staff preparation support may include:
preparation of surgical gowns, gloves and masks.
Vital signs include:
pulse rate and quality
respiration rate and effort
temperature
capillary refill time
mucous membrane colour
heart rate.
Signs of pain may include:
audible, visual or measured signs:
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.
Theatre equipment may include:
anaesthetic machine and trolleys
instrument trolley
kick buckets
lights
operating table
surgical furniture.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 competence 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 animals for scheduled operations in accordance with clinic policies and procedures
transfer animals safely to and from surgery
prepare theatre or surgical operating area for use
provide surgery support as required throughout procedure
care for animal pre- and post-operatively
clean and sterilise theatre and equipment after surgery
communicate effectively with the veterinarian and veterinary nurse and follow instructions.

The skills and knowledge required to assist with surgery preparation 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 of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a veterinary practice or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a range of animals and the relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and where possible, 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).