Elements and Performance Criteria
- Identify patients and monitor clinical signs
- Identify patients according to features and fixed identification
- Perform preliminary examination of animal, document results and communicate to the veterinarian
- Interview client to obtain relevant information about animal
- Establish patient needs in consultation with the veterinarian
- Apply animal first aid according to veterinary advice
- Communicate with clients concerning hospitalised patients
- Provide animal care in pain situations
- Identify animal anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and a range of analgesics as they relate to nursing animals
- Identify and record audible, visual or measurable signs of pain to assist in the identification of the need for analgesics
- Identify and report behavioural changes indicating pain
- Use an empathetic and caring approach in the husbandry of animals in pain
- Use compassionate and safe handling techniques according to WHS requirements
- Use industry recognised pain management techniques to minimise patient trauma
- Care for animals
- Care for hospitalised animals
- Provide basic animal welfare requirements
- Maintain environment specifically required for individual animals
- Monitor and facilitate patient’s bodily functions
- Carry out and record regular monitoring of patients
- Carry out industry-recognised animal psychological support in conjunction with patient monitoring