Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare facilities, equipment and personnel
   • Prepare anaesthetic and surgical facilities
   • Select and prepare anaesthetic agents, equipment and supplies
   • Identify, select and prepare surgical instruments and equipment
   • Maintain aseptic environment at all times
   • Follow and comply with safe work practices and work health and safety organisational protocols, policies and procedures and legislative requirements
2. Prepare animals for anaesthesia and surgery for scientific purposes
   • Handle and restrain animals according to organisational policies and procedures
   • Prepare animals according to species-specific requirements and organisational procedures
   • Perform pre-anaesthetic and pre-operative evaluations of animals, including indications for the use of relevant anaesthetic agents
3. Induce, maintain and monitor anaesthesia in animals
   • Use appropriate technique to administer pre-anaesthetic and pre-operative medication according to organisational policies and procedures
   • Induce anaesthesia in animals using appropriate technique
   • Monitor and maintain animals during anaesthetic and surgical procedures
   • Record and interpret variations in the physiological parameters and signs of anaesthesia
   • Comply with organisational protocols for anaesthetic procedures
   • Follow anaesthetic emergency procedures according to organisational policies and procedures
4. Perform basic surgery on animals
   • Locate, identify and handle anatomical and physiological structures relevant to surgical procedures conducted in the facility
   • Use surgical equipment and instruments accurately and safely
   • Apply surgical materials and medications to animals
   • Perform basic surgical procedures according to research, organisation and AEC protocols and relevant legislative requirements
   • Suture surgical wounds according to the surgical procedure
   • Follow agreed policies to complete post-operative anaesthesia procedures
5. Provide post-anaesthetic and post-operative care for animals
   • Use analgesics and other supportive therapies according to directions to manage animals post-operatively
   • Apply fluid therapy, medication, dressings, bandages and oxygen supplementation to animals according to animal needs and organisational procedures
   • Monitor surgical wounds for signs of healing, inflammation or infection
   • Monitor animals post-operatively and respond to abnormalities
   • Recognise and respond to emergencies immediately, seeking advice or assistance according to organisational practices
   • Accurately write and maintain monitoring records, including anaesthetic monitoring sheets, in line with research requirements and the organisation's AEC
6. Maintain facilities and equipment
   • Clean facilities and equipment and store according to organisational policies and procedures
   • Carry out routine maintenance on equipment according to manufacturer requirements
   • Maintain anaesthetic and surgical facilities according to organisational policies and procedures