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.
Animal first aid measures
Animal first aid measures include:
DR ABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, CPR)
perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
control haemorrhage
wound management
treatment of shock.
Materials and equipment
Materials and equipment include but are not limited to:
automatic processor
anaesthetic machines
drains
drapes
dressings and bandages
electrocautery
electrocardiograph (ECG)
endoscope
formalin pot
intravenous and urinary catheters
intravenous fluid pump
otoscope
pins
splints
surgical instruments
suture material
swabs
tubes
ultrasound
X-ray.
Veterinary procedures
Veterinary procedures may include but are not limited to:
abdominocentesis
arthrocentesis
cystocentesis
blood collection
express anal glands
general surgery for example soft tissue surgeries such as:
desexing
exploratory surgery
lump removals
induce anaesthesia
insert intravenous catheter
intubate patient’s airway
intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection
placement of nasogastric feeding tube
placement of nasal oxygen tubes
physical examination
thoracocentesis
urinary catheterisation
wound care or dressing.
Vital signs
Vital signs include:
temperature
pulse
respiration
mucous membrane colour
capillary refill time
femoral pulse
menace response
pupillary light response
deep pain sensation
withdrawal response
jaw tone
swallowing and palpebral reflex
monitoring of vital signs may include the use of:
electrocardiograph (ECG)
pulse oximeters
capnographs
oesophageal stethoscopes
blood pressure monitors.
Post-operative procedures
Post-operative procedures may include:
removal of endotracheal tube
keeping patient warm and comfortable
nursing observation
monitoring analgesia
wound care
fluid therapy
administration of veterinary medications
communication with owner
reporting progress to veterinarian/s.
Referral veterinarian or other health care professional and/or service
Referral veterinarian or other health care professional and/or service may include:
behavioural specialist
chemo and radiation specialists
complementary therapy practitioners
acupuncturist
chiropractor
massage therapist
naturopath
physiotherapist
veterinary dentist
farrier
medication manufacturer consultant
nutritionist
ophthalmologist
orthopaedic surgeon
plastic surgeon
trauma specialist.
Veterinary instructions
Veterinary instructions may include:
frequency of observations
vital signs to be recorded
drugs doses, routes of administration and frequency
recommended diet
housing
toileting
wound care
other nursing or administrative requirements as directed.
Treatment plans
Treatment plans comprise a list of diagnostic tests, medications and procedures recommended by the veterinarian in order to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient.
Nursing care
Nursing care includes:
patient observation
patient monitoring
analgesia
fluid therapy
drug administration
wound management
maintenance of drains and tubes
nutrition
toileting
exercise
environmental enrichment
communication with veterinarian.
Infection control
Infection control means:
appropriate cleaning and disinfection regimes for equipment, housing, bedding etc
the housing or hospitalisation of patients with infectious disease away from other patients, in order to reduce the spread of infection
quarantine may involve an isolation facility and the use of specific nursing techniques and personal protective equipment to aid infection control.
Workplace health and safety
Workplace health and safety includes:
animal care for small, large and exotic animals has a range of associated risks from bites, kicks or scratches. All clinic duties should reflect an awareness of and a respect for these risks.
safe work practices include the packaging and handling of loads, including animals and equipment. Appropriate safe handling techniques are used to reduce muscle load on exertion.
the handling of chemicals and medicines in the clinic requires extra care to ensure safe work practices are maintained.
clinic activities also have inherent risks including gas leakage, zoonoses, release of infective agents (both animal and human), needle pricks, and cuts from other sharps and exposure to ionizing radiation.
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal must be carried out in line with relevant workplace health and safety legislation.
Nursing procedures
Nursing procedures may include but are not limited to:
blood collection
express anal glands
induce anaesthesia
insert intravenous catheter
intubate patient’s airway
intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection
placement of nasogastric feeding tube
placement of nasal oxygen tubes
urinary catheterisation
wound care or dressing.
Hospital rounds
Hospital rounds involve:
case reviews performed by veterinary and nursing staff in the hospital ward.
hospital rounds usually consider treatment plans, patient progress and client communication.
Nurse handovers
Nurse handovers involve:
hospital rounds for nursing staff
effective transfer of information regarding the care and progress of hospitalised patients
ensuring appropriate rostering of clinical staff
nurse handovers should occur at shift changes to ensure continuity of patient care.
Clinic policies
Clinic policies may cover:
accessing and updating files
admission and discharge of patients
admittance of visitors
client privacy
compliance with relevant legislative requirements
guidelines for the sale of medicines and animal treatments (prescription and non-prescription)
information specific to the practice
recording information
security, confidentiality and privacy
type of information and advice that can be provided by staff.
Appropriate documentation
Appropriate documentation means:
admission and client consent forms
written estimates
hospital whiteboards
medical and hospital record
treatment plans
anaesthetic records
dental charts
submission forms
laboratory reports
computer records
discharge notes
client handouts and instructions.
Professional development opportunities
Professional development opportunities may include:
attending conferences and seminars
completing additional relevant training
conducting research and presenting results
participating in forums
presenting information to staff and or others
reading research papers
visiting other practices.

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:
recognise, communicate and respond to abnormal patient vital signs and anaesthetic complications
co-ordinate hospital admissions and discharges
supervise, roster and co-ordinate nursing staff in support of veterinary activities
develop and implement infection control and workplace health and safety and biosecurity procedures
demonstrate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
assist in a range of veterinary procedures
carry out a range of nursing procedures
manage nursing care of hospitalised patients and patients in quarantine or isolation
ensure the maintenance of accurate records
develop, implement and review nursing policies and procedures in veterinary practice
identify opportunities to contribute to the veterinary practice knowledge base and improve existing practices and procedures within scope of job responsibilities
prepare and present case studies and/or literature reviews to others.
The skills and knowledge required to manage veterinary nursing procedures must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.
It is highly recommended that learners perform work placement in another approved veterinary practice or training workplace in order to gather further evidence of competence and demonstrate the transferability of skills and knowledge outcomes.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a veterinary practice in order to gain exposure to sufficient caseload.
There must be access to a veterinary clinic or animal hospital, a range of companion animals as well as the appropriate equipment, resources and documentation 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 two occasions over an extended period of time, by preparing for a range of procedures, providing peri-operative nursing care and managing the hospitalisation of more complicated cases on a regular basis.
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
case study analysis
role plays
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).