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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. |
Anaesthesia refers to: | the use of a drug administered for medical or surgical purposes that induces total loss of sensation. |
Anaesthetic agents, equipment and supplies may include: | anaesthesia agents:isofluraneketamineketamine combination anaesthesiamethoxyfluraneanaesthetic equipment and supplies:anaesthetic machines and trolleysfiltersgas cylindersincubatorsmasksre-breathing bagssoda lime and canistersscavenging systemstubesvaporisersrelevant state or territory drugs and poisons legislation must be complied with. |
Surgical instruments and equipment may include: | forcepsneedlesneedle holdersresection clampsscalpelsscissorssutures. |
Maintaining an aseptic environment includes: | positive pressure airflowsterile drapes, gloves, gowns and equipmentswabs of betadine or alcohol. |
OHS risks associated with animal technician procedures include: | animal bites, kicks, scratches or crush injuriesbiological hazardous waste and sharps disposalhandling of chemicals and medicinesgas leakageinhalation of aerosol particlesintraocular contaminationmanual handling, including carrying, lifting and shiftingneedle pricks and cuts from other sharpsrelease of infective agents (animal and human)scalds and burns from sterilising and cleaning equipmentzoonoses. |
Relative legislative requirements include: | Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposesrelated state or territory legislation for:animal welfareprotection of cruelty to animalsanimal protectionanimal researchrelevant state or territory drugs and poisons legislation. |
Subject to research requirements animals may include: | on most occasions the animal species will be common laboratory animals:guinea pigsmicerabbitsratson some occasions animal species may include:amphibians, fish and reptilesdogs and catsfishinvertebrateslivestock (e.g. sheep, cattle and pigs)native wildlife (e.g. marsupials and birds)primatespoultry. |
Preparing an animal may include: | applying restraining devices:halters or hobbleshead collarsmuzzlesrearing bitsaseptic preparation of injection sitesclippingpreoperative skin preparation routinesfurther preparation may extend to:administration of necessary premedicationintubation and the insertion of intravenous or urinary catheterspreparation of equipment and materials for intravenous infusions. |
Pre-anaesthetic and pre-operative medication may include: | the use of:analgesicsantibioticssedativestranquillisers. |
Pre-anaesthetic and pre-operative evaluations may include: | animal health checks:general health and conditionheart raterespiration temperatureweight. |
Methods used to induce an animal in anaesthesia may include: | gaseous and injectable preparations:intermittent positive pressure ventilation. |
Possible anaesthetic emergencies may include: | an animal going into:hypothermia or hyperthermiarespiratory distressshock. |
Basic surgical procedures that may be performed on common laboratory animals include: | embryo insertionimplantation of mini-pumps or cathetersovarian transfervasectomy. |
Post-operative anaesthesia procedures may include: | extubationcontinued monitoring of vital signspositioning of patient recumbency in consideration of recovery phase and surgical siteadjustment of intravenous fluid therapy rates. |
Post-operative abnormalities that may be encountered include: | abnormalities in wounds and surgical sites:haemorrhage or other exudationswellingself-traumaother abnormalities:abnormal distensioncold extremitiesdelayed recoveryincreased heart rateincreased respiratory ratelow body temperaturepale mucous membranes. |