Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct a post-mortem examination of a research animal for scientific purposes.

This unit applies to individuals who are required to work with and care for animals used within scientific establishments for scientific purposes and teaching. All work practices must be undertaken in accordance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes and the institution's standard operating procedures. It requires the ability to liaise with and report to the institution's Animal Ethics Committee according to institutional requirements.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Animal Technology (ATE)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that, on at least two occasions of post-mortem examinations, the individual has:

• collected and obtained information about animals to be examined
• carried out external and internal assessments of animals and taken samples and tissues as required and in accordance with WHS and organisation policies and procedures
• cleaned and disinfected equipment, materials and the area upon completion of post-mortem examination
• handled, moved and disposed of an animal carcass
• prepared a brief for the veterinarian or supervisor to enable an accurate analysis and diagnosis of the cause of death, and provided data required for the research program
• complied with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, and the institution's standard operating procedures.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• principles and practices for carrying out post-mortem examination of research animals
• animal biology, anatomy and physiology of the range of species in the institution's research program, including the position, features and appearance of major organs in healthy animals of the species being examined
• anatomical and physiological terminology, and glossary of terms and nomenclature related to the species being examined
• animal care and ethics protocols related to the conduct of post-mortems
• biosecurity issues (for animals and humans) relating to the collection of samples from animals
• classification system used by Animal Ethics Committees to categorise animal care and treatment
• industry terminology used to describe and document findings in post-mortem
• methods and equipment used to collect and prepare tissue and fluid samples for transport to testing area
• organisational policies and safe work procedures, including WHS and emergency procedures
• relevant codes of practice, including the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes
• key requirements of relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, WHS, animal welfare, waste disposal and animal research practices
• relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances
• requirements for the correct preparation, labelling and packaging of biological and potentially hazardous samples
• sequence of actions in conducting a post-mortem
• specific post-mortem clean-up techniques, equipment and materials
• terminology used to describe findings in post-mortem
• workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• skills must be demonstrated in a workplace setting or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

• resources, equipment and materials:

• equipment and resources used when conducting a post-mortem examination, including personal protective equipment
• two animals for post-mortem examination

• specifications:

• organisational policies and procedures, legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to work undertaken in animal research.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103