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.

Why might euthanasia be conducted?
Reasons for conducting euthanasia might include the need to alleviate uncontrollable pain and distress; reaching the end point of research; cull of production; meeting the requirements of product quality assurance; outbreak of disease; environmental failure; fire or other trauma; and accidents or excessive aggression.

What OHS requirements may have to be considered?
Working with animals in an animal technology institution has a range of associated risks from bites, kicks or scratches. All duties should reflect an awareness of and a respect for these risks.
The handling of chemicals requires extra care to ensure safe work practices are maintained.
Safe work practices are used in packaging and handling loads including animals. Appropriate safe handling techniques are used to reduce muscle load on exertion.
Some animal technology facilities may expose personnel to risks such as zoonoses, release of infective agents (both animal and human) and chemical spillage.

What methods of euthanasia may be included?
Chemical or physical methods of euthanasia may include barbiturate overdose through an acceptable injection route, gas, cervical dislocation, captive bolt, gunshot, microwave or decapitation by guillotine.

What equipment and materials may be required to conduct euthanasia?
Carbon dioxide gas cylinders and regulators, sealed and approved containment cages, chemicals, syringes, needles, scales, captive bolts, restraining devices and drugs.

In what location should euthanasia be conducted?
Animals should be killed in a quiet, clean environment and normally away from other animals.

What are the relevant statutory requirements that will impact on the euthanasia of animals?
Euthanasia of animals will be controlled by:
relevant state or territory legislation and regulations such as those relating to the use of firearms, prevention of cruelty to animals, wildlife, fisheries, quarantine, the practice of veterinary surgery and the administration and storage of therapeutic and controlled substances
relevant codes of practice, including the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes
approval from the institution's ethics committee
local government regulations covering the transport and disposal of hazardous wastes.

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:

prepare required materials and equipment
handle and restrain animals
apply appropriate methods of euthanasia to kill a range of research animals in a humane, rapid and appropriate manner for the approved endpoint
adhere to relevant legislative requirements
dispose of animal carcasses and biological waste not required for research or post-mortem purposes
decontaminate, clean and store equipment and materials or dispose of them accordingly
maintain records as required
communicate effectively with supervisors and follow instructions.

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:

methods and administration routes of euthanasia and their suitability for a range of species
hazards and risks associated with euthanasia
equipment and drugs commonly used for euthanasia
signs of pain and distress in commonly held species
the institution's standard operating procedures relating to the restraint, handling, euthanasing and disposal of animals
standard operating procedures relating to the use, storage and transport of equipment and drugs used in the euthanasia of animals
anatomy and physiology of animals commonly held in the institution, especially the neck and head and respiration and heart rates
relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances.

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:

handle and restrain animals
monitor animal health and behaviour
clean and decontaminate equipment and facilities
follow personal and workplace hygiene procedures
set up and use carbon dioxide cylinders and regulators
use and store drugs correctly
keep accurate and legible records and enter data into databases
follow safe work practices
communicate with other staff and colleagues
recognise stress and death in animals
identify signs of distress and grief in self
calculate solutions, dilutions, percentages, concentrations, proportions, ratios, molarity and weights and measures conversions
read and implement institutional policies and procedures, including OHS procedures
analyse material critically
communicate orally with others in the workplace using appropriate questioning techniques and active listening
consult with other staff, identify when direction and advice is needed from senior and more experienced staff and seek it
prepare and write reports
work cooperatively with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds
solve problems.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace
a range of animals requiring euthanasia
appropriate equipment to conduct euthanasia
institutional policies and procedures regarding euthanasia
personal protective clothing and equipment.

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 be most appropriately assessed in an animal technology institution.
There must be access in this 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 standard

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 completing relevant records. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By monitoring animal health and welfare during the euthanasia procedure. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By completing the euthanasia procedure. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By following workplace procedures in a coordinated way and by consulting with others about the euthanasia process. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By determining the dosage or concentration of substances required during the procedure. (3)

Solving problems
By monitoring animal welfare, taking appropriate steps to ensure death occurs without complications and identifying the intervention points / endpoints in animals requiring euthanasia. (3)

Using technology
By using relevant equipment throughout the euthanasia procedure. (2)