Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare to conduct the post-mortem examination
- Select and prepare the site for the post-mortem
- Identify containment issues and take appropriate action
- Obtain and prepare correct clothing, equipment and resources to be used in the post-mortem examination
- Use appropriate manual lifting techniques to move the animal to be examined to the post-mortem area
- Confirm death of the animal by checking for the absence of any vital signs
- Obtain and collate all relevant preliminary information about the animal to be examined
- Identify abnormal characteristics that may indicate the presence of notifiable and potentially hazardous conditions or diseases and take appropriate action
- Identify WHS hazards associated with the procedure and take appropriate action to protect self and others
- Seek expert assistance as appropriate
- Carry out the post-mortem examination
- Carry out external assessment of the animal and note outward signs of abnormalities or injury
- Dissect animal using appropriate techniques and equipment to avoid cutting into organs or stomach cavity
- Examine nominated organs, tissues and structures
- Take and prepare samples of organs, other tissues and fluid samples where appropriate
- Complete the post-mortem examination
- Dispose of carcass using appropriate equipment according to animal research practices and waste disposal legislation and regulations
- Send correctly labelled and packaged samples for analysis
- Collate records of observations and information about the animal examined, and forward to the relevant persons for analysis and diagnosis
- Clean and disinfect post-mortem area and equipment
- Complete personal biosecurity clean-up