This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct the euthanasing of research animals under supervision.

The unit applies to individuals who are employed as junior or assistant level animal technicians working with and caring for animals used within an animal technology biomedical research or production environment for scientific purposes and teaching purposes where it may be necessary to euthanase individual or groups of animals because of a range of reasons approved by the institution's Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). Individuals work under the supervision of a senior or more experienced staff member and must ensure animals are handled gently and calmly, and must exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

Animal technicians conducting euthanasia operate under and must comply with legislative requirements and the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, as well as protocols, policies and procedures set down by the institution's AEC.

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.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice	Yes	No	Comments/feedback
Identify, justify and report need for euthanasia
Ensure method selected for the euthanasia is consistent with the research program approval or protocol
Prepare euthanasia equipment and materials
Select location for the euthanasia
Identify associated euthanasia hazards according to WHS procedures and guidelines
Review and complete licences and permits required to conduct the euthanasia with the supervisor
Use personal protective and safety equipment according to WHS policies and statutory requirements
Handle and transport equipment according to statutory requirements and industry practices`
Assist with the physical restraining of animals to minimise pain, distress and risk of injury to the animals or personnel and complies with animal welfare, ethical and legal requirements
Apply euthanasia method according to the requirements of the task and as instructed
Confirm animal deaths
Handle and move carcasses that are required for research or post-mortem examination according to experimental and WHS requirements
Dispose of biological waste and animal carcasses that are not required for research or other approved purposes according to WHS procedures and legislative requirements
Decontaminate or clean, and store or dispose of, equipment and materials
Update records relating to euthanased animals according to workplace policies and procedures

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMATE305 - Conduct euthanasia of research animals

Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

ACMATE305 - Conduct euthanasia of research animals

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: