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 RUV5607A

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 critical care surgical  patient

1.1. Patient's special requirements  are identified and made available for surgery.

1.2. Surgical and monitoring equipment is prepared in accordance with workplace health and safety  and clinic policies and procedures.

2. Monitor patient from induction to recovery

2.1. Assistance for induction is provided to veterinarian.

2.2. Anaesthetic is continuously monitored and data is recorded.

2.3. Vital signs are monitored  constantly from induction to recovery and abnormal signs are responded to in accordance with clinic policies.

2.4. Analgesia  is administered and response is monitored under veterinarian supervision.

2.5. Specific emergency procedures  are applied as directed by the veterinarian.

2.6. Specific surgical operating support  is provided in response to the veterinarian's requirements.

3. Collect blood and administer blood and blood products

3.1. Blood type is identified, sourced and /or collected, and stored in accordance with clinic policies.

3.2. Blood and/or blood products are prepared and administered in accordance with clinic policies.

3.3. Adverse reactions to transfusions are recognised and treated in accordance with the veterinarian's advice.

4. Provide critical care nursing 

4.1. Patient short-term positioning, environment, medication, nutrition and nursing care are determined in consultation with the veterinarian.

4.2. Patient care plan , including all relevant aspects of treatment and care, is developed in conjunction with the veterinarian.

4.3. Intensive nursing care is provided and the patient is monitored in accordance with the patient plan, clinic policies and workplace health and safety requirements.

4.4. Veterinarian is regularly consulted on the patient's progress.

5. Discharge patient

5.1. Transportation procedures  are implemented for the critical care patient in accordance with clinic policies and workplace health and safety requirements.

5.2. Patient is prepared for transport within the clinic and for external transport.

5.3. Instructions are provided to the client regarding the patient's care requirements  in the home environment.

5.4. History, records and veterinarian's report are collated and presented to the client.

5.5. Client is instructed on the delivery of referral documentation  to their regular practitioner.

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

Required skills

Ability to: 

• accurately monitor, record and recognise abnormal vital signs
• demonstrate empathy with animals
• employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling animals
• maintain accurate records
• maintain the highest standard of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross infection
• maximise patient care when preparing for and during transport
• monitor, clean and sterilise surgical equipment as required
• record chemicals and medicines in the clinic according to prescribed legislative requirements
• 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 and oral instructions; and record patient details accurately and legibly
• 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 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 veterinarian, and acknowledging and responding to a range of views
• use numeracy skills to monitor patients' vital signs and fluid therapy and to calculate dosages
• use problem-solving skills to use available resources and anticipate veterinarians' requirements
• use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment
• use safe waste handling and disposal procedures
• work as a member of a team and work closely with the supervising veterinarian.

Required knowledge

Knowledge of: 

• after care requirements including medication, wound management, nutrition, exercise and environment
• anaesthetic agents, planes and stages of anaesthesia and anaesthesia equipment
• animal anatomy and physiology
• best-practice psychological procedures for animal care
• blood, blood types and blood product transfusions
• clinical signs of shock
• commonly used anaesthetics, including injectable and gaseous compounds
• critical care anaesthetic and surgery procedures
• critical care and intensive nursing routines
• dangers related to exposure to anaesthetic agents
• emergency situations that may result from specific clinical conditions
• emergency procedures
• fluid therapy
• principles of animal welfare and ethics
• radiographic and imaging routines
• range of instruments required in both the theatre and preparation areas
• relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, workplace health and safety and animal welfare
• relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances
• safe work practices
• standard physiotherapy treatments for animals
• sterilisation techniques, including a good working knowledge of the operation of autoclaves and an awareness of alternative sterilisation techniques including gamma irradiation, ethylene oxide and chemical sterilisation and their associated health hazards
• symptoms of common poisoning and clinical disease
• the maintenance of adequate housing and nutrition
• the relative urgency of common disease versus trauma incidents
• the requirements for referral documentation
• transportation procedures
• where and how to access relevant patient records
• workplace hygiene standard, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

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:

• prepare animals correctly for critical care surgery
• monitor animals' vital signs during anaesthesia through to recovery
• recognise abnormal vital signs
• recognise, respond to and assist with emergencies
• demonstrate empathy with animals
• administer blood and blood products
• work in a team and closely with the supervising veterinarian
• communicate patient needs clearly to clients and transporting agents
• record and retrieve patient histories effectively in cases of client referral
• provide comprehensive nursing support for critically ill patients.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a veterinary hospital or specialist veterinary clinic where an extensive range of emergency and specialised critical care procedures are performed.

There must be access to the appropriate emergency and specialised critical care equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated by providing nursing support for critical care surgery for an extensive range of emergency and specialised critical care cases on a regular basis over a period of time.

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
• case study analysis
• 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.

Critical care surgical  procedures patients may be presented for include:

• evisceration
• exploratory laparotomy
• eye prolapse
• gastric dilation volvulus
• thoracotomy
• wounds involving penetrating foreign bodies
• drastic and/or life-threatening wounds.

Special requirements  may include:

• administration of blood and blood products
• intermittent positive pressure ventilation during open chest procedures
• specific induction and maintenance drugs.

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.

Monitoring vital signs  and instruments used may include:

• vital signs:

• blood gas analysis
• capillary response time
• central venous pressure
• chest auscultation
• Doppler blood pressure
• femoral pulse
• heart rate
• mucous membrane colour
• pulse and stimulation response
• pupillary light reflex
• renal function
• respiration
• thermo-regulation

• instruments for monitoring vital signs may include:

• capnographs
• ECG
• oesophageal stethoscopes
• pulse oximeters.

Analgesia  may include:

• provision of:

• pre-emptive analgesia
• intra-operative analgesia
• post-operative analgesia

• analgesics administered by the veterinarian or under veterinary supervision:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
• narcotics
• other analgesics and opiate antagonists.

Emergency procedures  may include:

• emergency anaesthetic procedures:

• artificial and assisted respiration
• administration of life support techniques and medicines

• other emergency procedures:

• response to anaesthetic recovery/shock complications with particular attention to transport to recovery ward
• positioning of patient
• revision of fluid therapy plan
• supervision of anaesthetic monitoring equipment.

Types of surgical operating support  may include:

• maintaining:

• arterial lines
• central lines
• jugular catheters
• peripheral intravenous catheters
• urinary catheters
• central feeding apparatus and endotracheal tubes
• tracheostomy tubes
• thoracic or other drains.

Critical care nursing  may include:

• monitoring of vital signs and recognition of abnormal vital signs
• placement and care of catheters, chest and other drains and tracheostomy tubes
• fluid therapy
• oxygen therapy
• monitoring urinary output.

Patient care plan  may include consideration of:

• environmental conditions
• equipment
• housing
• need for analgesia and medication
• nutrition
• physiotherapy
• psychological factors.

Transportation procedures  may include:

• blanket stretcher
• feed and water
• intravenous fluid line maintenance
• limb support
• respiration monitoring
• trolley and restraint
• wound management.

Patient care requirements  may include:

• monitoring the animal prior to release
• advising the owner in line with veterinarian's instructions about:

• administering medicine and the general care of the animal
• follow up treatment or visits
• anticipated physical and psychological behaviour
• bedding
• cast care
• consultation with regular practitioner
• exercise
• nutrition
• wound and dressing management.

Referral documents  may include:

• blood chemistry, haematology and other tests
• clinic pathological results
• diagnostic reports
• radiographs.