Required skills

Ability to

calculate patient nutritional requirements

complete relevant workrelated documentation

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling animals

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and crossinfection

observe accurately and report animal condition and vital signs

recognise respond to and assist with emergencies

use literacy skills to read select and implement policies and procedures including workplace health and safety infection control and other clinic policies and procedures coordinate patient admission and discharge implement sequenced written and oral instructions and record patient details accurately and legibly

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

use oral communication skillslanguage required to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic including negotiating and questioning techniques active listening asking for clarification from veterinarian and acknowledging and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to monitor patients vital signs and surgical equipment

use problemsolving skills to use available resources prioritise tasks and anticipate surgeon and patient requirements

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

Required knowledge

Knowledge of

anaesthesia fluid therapy and radiographic and imaging routines relating to specialised surgical routines

animal anatomy and physiology related to postoperative nursing routines

fluid therapy

nutritional requirements after specialised surgical procedures

pain management techniques

principles of animal welfare and ethics

recognition of emergencies

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science workplace health and safety and animal welfare

relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances

safe work practices

specialised surgical procedures including thoracotomy enterotomy gastrotomy cystotomy spinal surgery orthopaedic surgery and ophthalmic surgery

therapy strategies for recovering patients

use and recording of chemicals and medicines in the clinic according to relevant legislative requirements

workplace hygiene standards disinfectants and sterilisation cleaning agents cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit Assessors should ensure that candidates can

apply an advanced working knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology whilst managing wounds or surgical sites postsurgery

communicate effectively with the surgeon on all aspects of patient care

provide clear and concise directions to clinic personnel

maintain patient fluid and nutritional requirements postsurgery in accordance with patient care plans

nurse animals with care and empathy and in accordance with individual patient requirements

implement a physical therapy program for recovering patients

observe and report on animals condition and vital signs in an accurate manner

record and complete patient records accurately

recognise respond to and assist with emergencies

communicate with clients on patients progress and homenursing requirements

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a clinic or hospital where registered specialists are performing specialised surgical procedures

There must be access to the appropriate equipment andor resources relevant to the specialised surgical procedures taking place in the clinic and the postoperative nursing requirements to enable one to demonstrate competence

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of performance competency should be demonstrated by carrying out postoperative nursing routines for an extensive range of patients recovering from specialised surgical procedures on a regular basis over a period of time

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment Suggested strategies for this Unit are

written andor oral assessment of candidates required knowledge

observed documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

case study analysis

thirdparty evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio

This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands eg literacy and numeracy demands and the needs of particular target groups eg people with disabilities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people women people with a language background other than English youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds

Specialised surgical procedures may include:

Maintenance of intravenous catheter sites may include:

Patient fluid output may include:

Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:

Equipment to maintain intravenous fluid therapy may include:

Specific nutritional requirements may include:

Calculating energy requirements may include:

Assisted feeding may include:

Indwelling surgical drain may include:

Housing and bedding may include:

Complications associated with recumbent patients may include:

Vital signs and observations may include:

Physical therapy techniques may include:

Home-nursing advice may include: