Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

Comments 

2

ACM10v3

Reference to OHS legislation replaced with generic terminology

1

ACM10v1

Initial release. Supersedes and is equivalent to RUV4607A

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for and assist with medical procedures

1.1. Equipment, instruments and materials are prepared for the required medical procedure .

1.2. Patient preparation  is carried out and restraint is applied as instructed and according to workplace health and safety  requirements.

1.3. Scheduled procedures are carried out as instructed.

1.4. Patient is returned to housing or owner in accordance with clinic policy.

1.5. Procedures are recorded in clinic records in accordance with clinic policy.

2. Prepare for specific clinic routines 

2.1. Equipment is prepared  and calibrated, if required, in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and clinic guidelines.

2.2. Patient preparation is carried out and restraint is applied as instructed and according to workplace health and safety requirements.

2.3. Outcomes  of medical procedures are processed in accordance with clinic procedures.

2.4. Medical procedures are recorded  as instructed by supervising veterinarian.

2.5. Patient is cleaned as required and returned to housing or owner in accordance with clinic policy.

2.6. Equipment is cleaned and stored in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and clinic guidelines.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this Unit.

Required skills

Ability to: 

• apply safe work procedures in the use of equipment for medical procedures
• assist the veterinarian safely, effectively and as directed
• clean, sterilise and store appropriate equipment as required
• ensure that equipment is regularly maintained and that the recommended handling procedures for endoscopic and laparoscopic probes, ultrasound transducers and electrocardiograms (ECGs) are carried out
• employ keen observation skills
• ensure fluid therapy requirements are undertaken and monitored
• prepare animals correctly for medical procedures
• recognise, respond to and assist with emergencies
• use literacy skills to read, select and implement policies and procedures, including workplace health and safety, infection control and other clinic policies and procedures; coordinate patient admission and discharge; implement sequenced written instructions; and record patient details accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language required to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic, including negotiating and questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from the owner, and acknowledging and responding to a range of views
• use numeracy skills required to calibrate and operate equipment
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
• use problem-solving skills to use available resources, prioritise tasks and select, prepare and clean or sterilise instruments and equipment as directed
• work closely with the supervising veterinarian and as part of a team.

Required knowledge

Knowledge of: 

• animal anatomy and physiology related to medical nursing routines
• aseptic technique
• legislative requirements and health regulations for the storage, use and disposal of chemicals and biological debris from veterinary procedures
• relevant state or territory legislative requirements for animal welfare
• safe work procedures
• use, value and rationale of procedures, including endoscopic, electrocardiographic, laparoscopic and ultrasound procedures
• use and value of fluid therapy
• various medical procedures and the appropriate equipment
• Veterinary Practitioner Acts and Regulations.

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:

• prepare equipment, instruments and materials and assist with medical procedures
• prepare and restrain patients for procedures
• prepare and calibrate equipment for specific clinic routines
• assist veterinarian with procedure outcomes, including fluid therapy and catheterisation
• care for patients during special procedures
• communicate effectively with the veterinarian and clients
• clean and store equipment and maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to carry out medical nursing 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 for this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a veterinary nursing workplace with 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).

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.

Medical procedures  may include:

• small animal procedures:

• cleaning ear pinna and ear canals
• enemas
• nail, beak or feather trimming
• setting up, regulating and maintaining an intravenous drip for fluid therapy or blood transfusions
• setting up and maintaining oxygen therapy
• urinary catheterisation

• large animal procedures:

• administering general anaesthesia to horses
• oral administration of electrolytes, pastes and drenches
• providing hoof and leg care to horses
• subcutaneous, intravenous or intramuscular injection
• setting up, regulating and maintaining an intravenous drip for fluid therapy.

Patient preparation  may include:

• restraint
• shaving and cleaning of target areas
• application of an electro-conductive medium.

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
• release of infective agents (animal and human)
• slippery or uneven work surfaces
• zoonoses.

Specific clinic routines  may include:

• aural lavage
• catheterisation
• ECG trace procedures
• endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures
• ultrasound and other common procedures.

Types of equipment  requiring preparation  may include:

• ECG
• endoscope
• laparoscope
• ultrasound
• videoscope.

Medical procedure outcomes  may include:

• biopsies may be collected and labelled
• details from endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures may be recorded
• images may be reproduced in:

• ECG trace
• photographic form
• printed paper format
• video or digital format.

Outcomes of medical procedures may be recorded  and stored:

• electronically or as hard copy.