Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage the health of animals in a research environment.
It applies to individuals who work as part of a team with other staff, researchers and veterinarians to manage the health of research animals.
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.
In addition to complying with legal and ethical responsibilities, individuals are required to minimise stress and discomfort for animals through gentle and calm handling and appropriate care.
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. Monitor the health status of research animals | 1.1 Develop standard operating procedures to monitor the health of research animals for signs of disease 1.2 Follow the organisation's standard operating procedures, including health and safety requirements, when monitoring the health of research animals |
2. Investigate and recognise disease processes in research animals | 2.1 Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures to investigate and recognise diseases in research animals 2.2 Follow the organisation's standard operating procedures to investigate and recognise diseases in research animals 2.3 Recognise and report signs of ill health, sickness behaviours and pain to appropriate staff 2.4 Recognise abnormalities in research animals, including during post-mortem examinations, and record against health status of animals 2.5 Recognise post-mortem changes due to deterioration in tissues and organs. |
3. Prevent, treat and control disease in research animals | 3.1 Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures to prevent, treat and control disease in research animals 3.2 Follow the organisation's standard operating procedures when preventing, treating and controlling a range of diseases in research animals 3.3 Contribute to development and implementation strategies to investigate, prevent, treat, control and monitor disease |
4. Record effects on research animals | 4.1 Recognise and document effects of disease processes in research animals on the research program 4.2 Recognise and document effects on research animals of experimental techniques |
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 | Prepare written reports and workplace documentation that communicate complex information clearly and effectively about the effects of disease processes in research animals and the impacts on research animals of experimental techniques |
Numeracy | Recognise safety parameters and interpret numerical information regarding quantities of feed, water, food supplements and medication Calculate changes to dosages due to animal health and disease issues |
Interact with others | Work independently and as part of a team to monitor indicators of animal health |
Sectors
Animal Technology (ATE)