Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this unit may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

How might standard operating procedures be developed?
Standard operating procedures for monitoring research animal health might be developed in conjunction with other staff, in particular veterinarians and staff involved in research programs. In some institutions, responsibility for developing the standard operating procedures lies with the veterinarian, with other staff assisting. Managing animal health is often a team task and all involved should be consulted in the development of the institution's standard operating procedures.

Which animals might be used in laboratories?
On most occasions the species will be common laboratory animals including mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits.
On some occasions species may include dogs, cats, sheep, cattle, pigs, poultry, wildlife (e.g. marsupials and birds), primates, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Which diseases may occur in research animals?
Common infectious diseases may include bacterial, viral, protozoa, parasitic, fungal and prions.
Common non-infectious diseases may include genetic, congenital, traumatic, dietary, degenerative, neoplastic and toxic.

Which signs might indicate that an animal is unwell?
Clinical signs, loss of appetite, change in normal appearance, lack of grooming, isolation from others, decreased fertility, increased or decreased mobility, aggression, depression, changes in temperature and changes to skin, fur or hair.
In addition, there may be obvious signs of injury including blood, pus, vomitus and diarrhoea.

What might be used when classifying organisms found in biological samples?
Reference texts, the Internet and clinical advice.

What might be required in treating animals?
Relevant medication may include vaccinations, parasite treatment or prescription drugs. Veterinary assistance should be sought in developing a health-monitoring program.

How might strategies be developed
Strategies might be developed in conjunction with other staff, including veterinarians and researchers. Scientific literature may be located and used to develop strategies.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?
The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

develop and implement standard operating procedures to manage and maintain the health of research animals
observe animals to monitor their health, sickness behaviours and pain and to report abnormalities
assist in the investigation of disease processes
act to treat, prevent, control and monitor disease
identify and document the impact of disease processes on a research program.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed below and include:

parameters of normal behaviour and signs of a healthy animal
types of infectious and non-infectious diseases
types of infectious agents (e.g. bacteria, virus, protozoa and parasites)
types of non-infectious agents (e.g. cancer, environmental, accident or diet)
types of disease vectors
disease terminology
anatomy and physiology of common species
microbiology
environmental stressors
nutritional and behavioural disorders
stereotypical behaviours
antemortem and post-mortem changes in animals
sources of relevant scientific and technical literature
guidelines for sampling size
understanding of levels of confidence for health monitoring and testing.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

develop the institution's standard operating procedures
collect and perform basic tests on urine, blood and faeces
collect antemortem and post-mortem samples
identify the risk of disease and risk minimisation strategies
use bibliographic databases to locate relevant scientific and technical material.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate animal technology workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions that has a scientific establishment licence and access to an approved Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)
equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace including thermometers, stethoscopes, binocular loops, ophthalmological diagnostic instruments, urine test strips and microscopes
a range of research animals
personal protective clothing and equipment
the institution's standard operating procedures
reference texts for the identification and treatment of diseases.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated 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 skills and knowledge required to

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed in an animal technology institution or a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access in either situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency
RUV3302A Conduct euthanasia of research animals
RUV5302A Carry out post-mortem examination of a research animal

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this unit of competency. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
By preparing the institution's standard operating procedures and completing relevant records required in health monitoring programs. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By evaluating the health status of animals. (3)

Planning and organising activities
By liaising with the laboratories and suppliers required to collect organs or tissues for testing. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By working with other staff in a coordinated manner to develop and implement the institution's standard operating procedures. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By evaluating the quality and health of animals. (2)

Solving problems
By identifying ill health or sub-optimal health and the presence of common diseases, and taking appropriate action. (3)

Using technology
By using databases to monitor and record disease levels in animal groups. (3)