Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and monitor anaesthesia in animals.
The unit applies to animal technicians who work under broad supervision performing work according to instructions or directed by a supervisor.
All work practices must be undertaken in accordance with legislative requirements, the current Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, the organisation's standard operating procedures, and protocols, policies and procedures approved by the organisation's Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for anaesthesia | 1.1 Prepare facility and personnel for animal anaesthesia, including confirming facility ethics approvals and suitable space to perform surgeries 1.2 Select suitable anaesthetic options and equipment for animal anaesthesia 1.3 Prepare equipment according to manufacturer specifications, organisational procedures and/or job requirements 1.4 Prepare anaesthetic and monitoring equipment, including routine sterilisation and disinfection of equipment |
2. Prepare animals for anaesthesia procedures | 2.1 Assess animal health and condition according to species-specific standards 2.2 Handle and restrain animals safely and humanely according to workplace policies and procedures, ethics protocols and legislative requirements 2.3 Perform pre-anaesthetic evaluations on animals, including the use of checklists and scoresheets, according to ethics protocols 2.4 Prepare animals for anaesthesia, including animal site preparation, provision of heat sources and monitoring equipment, according to species-specific requirements 2.5 Identify and locate species-specific animal structures, tissues and organs relevant to administration and monitoring of induction of anaesthesia 2.6 Follow safe work practices, including health and safety, according to organisational policies and procedures |
3. Assist in administering anaesthesia and monitoring animals | 3.1 Perform induction of anaesthesia 3.2 Monitor and detect species-specific signs of pain and/or distress while anaesthetised 3.3 Record variations in the physiological parameters and signs of anaesthesia in animals using appropriate organisational checklist or score sheet 3.4 Comply with organisational protocols for anaesthetic procedures on animals 3.5 Provide anaesthetic emergency assistance according to organisational policies and procedures and supervisor instructions |
4. Provide post-anaesthetic care for animals | 4.1 Use analgesics and other supportive therapies to manage animals post-anaesthesia according to ethics protocols and supervisor instructions 4.2 Apply fluid therapy and oxygen supplementation to animals according to ethics protocols, supervisor directions and/or procedures 4.3 Recognise and respond, according to supervisor instructions, to post-anaesthetic emergencies immediately 4.4 Monitor animals post-anaesthesia by evaluating behaviour and vital clinical signs using appropriate organisational checklist or score sheet 4.5 Maintain post-anaesthetic monitoring records accurately and completely according to legislative requirements and ethics protocols |
5. Maintain anaesthetic facilities and equipment | 5.1 Clean facilities, sterilise instrumentation and linen, and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures 5.2 Carry out routine maintenance on anaesthetic equipment according to manufacturer specifications or job requirements 5.3 Validate sterilisation of instrumentation and linen according to organisational procedures |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Writing | Complete organisational documentation in relation to monitoring animals pre-anaesthesia and post-anaesthesia |
Numeracy | Correctly calibrate equipment used for anaesthesia Calculate and confirm dose rates of anaesthetics and medications with supervisor |
Oral communication | Listen to clear sequenced instructions by supervisor and ask clarifying questions as required in order to assist with administering anaesthesia |
Sectors
Animal Technology (ATE)