Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to practise and promote animal welfare and ethical standards to others in animal technology workplaces and liaise with and report to the organisation's Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) according to requirements.
This unit applies to individuals who ensure that work practices, documentation and attitudes meet legislative, regulatory and workplace standards.
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 Code), the organisation's standard operating procedures, and protocols, policies and procedures approved by the organisation's Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). Users are advised to check legislative requirements for their jurisdiction.
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. Manage animals in accordance with relevant codes and legislative and organisational requirements | 1.1 Justify the use of animals in a research program and apply for written approval from the AEC 1.2 Apply principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (3Rs) to a research program 1.3 Identify animal care responsibilities of the organisation and investigator 1.4 Apply requirements outlined in relevant, current Code, legislation and other regulatory bodies to daily animal care 1.5 Interpret and follow reporting requirements to the AEC 1.6 Follow the care and containment of experimental animals to comply with AEC requirements and institutional biosecurity committee or equivalent |
2. Manage the euthanasia or humane killing of research animals | 2.1 Identify reasons for the decision to euthanase an animal, ensuring they comply with organisational policies and procedures, program approvals or protocols and legislative requirements 2.2 Identify types of and processes for obtaining licences and permits required to conduct the euthanasia of an animal 2.3 Supervise and monitor euthanasia or humane killing procedures, and provide assistance or support to staff 2.4 Review the organisation's standard operating procedures relating to euthanasia or humane killing, and discuss and implement suggestions for improvement with senior personnel 2.5 Communicate the organisation's standard operating procedures relating to euthanasia and humane killing |
3. Manage the operation of and compliance with containment and exclusion procedures | 3.1 Interpret health status reports 3.2 Act on breaches of containment or exclusion reported by staff or others according to the monitoring program and the organisation's standard operating procedures 3.3 Review the organisation's standard operating procedures relating to containment and exclusion and discuss suggestions for improvement with relevant personnel 3.4 Communicate to others the organisation's standard operating procedures relating to containment and exclusion |
4. Manage protocols and procedures for monitoring animals | 4.1 Assess risks to animals associated with specific projects 4.2 Develop indicators for assessing, minimising and monitoring risks to animals 4.3 Identify adverse events, mitigate and report according to organisational procedures and job role |
5. Maintain records | 5.1 Maintain records relating to the management of animals in animal technology facility according to organisational procedures and job role 5.2 Maintain record keeping system relating to containment and exclusion |
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 |
Reading | Analyse and interpret relevant information about the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes and the organisation's standard operating procedures |
Writing | Prepare written reports and workplace documentation that communicate complex information clearly and effectively to staff, researchers and others about the organisation's standard operating procedures relating to euthanasia and humane killing, and containment and exclusion |
Oral communication | Use listening and questioning techniques to confirm understanding and to engage team members Use interpersonal skills to gain trust and confidence of team, and provide feedback to others in forms that they can understand and use Adapt personal communication style to build positive working relationships and to show respect for the opinions, values and particular needs of others |
Numeracy | Recognise safety parameters and interpret numerical information regarding quantities of sedatives, tranquilisers and anaesthetics used in euthanasia |
Sectors
Animal Technology (ATE)