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.
Imaging environment preparation may include:
cleaning the facilities and equipment
ensuring required machine or equipment is available and in good working order.
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
radiation exposure
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Imaging equipment may include:
radiographic equipment:
X-ray machine
cassettes
films
table
darkroom chemicals
contract media, markers and labels
other imaging equipment:
digital X-ray
scintigraphy
Computed Tomography (CT)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Chemical preparation may include:
the need for accurate dilutions
the need for correct temperatures of the developing and fixing solutions.
Contrast media may include:
injectable and oral preparations.
Personal protective equipment may include:
lead aprons and gloves
mobile shields
personal radiation monitors (subject to legislative provisions)
thyroid shields.
Positioning aids may include:
cradles
gags
ropes
sand bags
sedation.
Common imaging faults may occur due to:
inappropriate restraint or movement of patient
failure to adequately maintain machine or equipment
problems with exposure settings or the development process.

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:
comply with relevant radiation safety Acts and regulations in regards to licensing, personal monitoring and recordkeeping
prepare equipment, chemicals and environment in a safe manner for scheduled routines
prepare personal protective equipment for all staff, including self
prepare patients for routines and then position them according to the veterinarian's instructions and the clinic technique chart
develop images
handle animals in a safe and ethical manner during examinations
communicate effectively with the veterinarian and clients
complete post-imaging routines and maintain accurate records.
The skills and knowledge required to apply imaging 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 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 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).