Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare personnel, equipment, animals and the facility for anaesthesia and surgical procedures, and to carry out those surgical procedures for scientific purposes.
The unit applies to individuals who are required to work with and care for animals used within scientific establishments for scientific purposes and teaching.
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. Prepare facilities, equipment and personnel | 1.1 Prepare anaesthetic and surgical facilities 1.2 Select and prepare anaesthetic agents, equipment and supplies 1.3 Identify, select and prepare surgical instruments and equipment 1.4 Maintain aseptic environment at all times 1.5 Follow and comply with safe work practices and work health and safety organisational protocols, policies and procedures and legislative requirements |
2. Prepare animals for anaesthesia and surgery for scientific purposes | 2.1 Handle and restrain animals according to organisational policies and procedures 2.2 Prepare animals according to species-specific requirements and organisational procedures 2.3 Perform pre-anaesthetic and pre-operative evaluations of animals, including indications for the use of relevant anaesthetic agents |
3. Induce, maintain and monitor anaesthesia in animals | 3.1 Use appropriate technique to administer pre-anaesthetic and pre-operative medication according to organisational policies and procedures 3.2 Induce anaesthesia in animals using appropriate technique 3.3 Monitor and maintain animals during anaesthetic and surgical procedures 3.4 Record and interpret variations in the physiological parameters and signs of anaesthesia 3.5 Comply with organisational protocols for anaesthetic procedures 3.6 Follow anaesthetic emergency procedures according to organisational policies and procedures |
4. Perform basic surgery on animals | 4.1 Locate, identify and handle anatomical and physiological structures relevant to surgical procedures conducted in the facility 4.2 Use surgical equipment and instruments accurately and safely 4.3 Apply surgical materials and medications to animals 4.4 Perform basic surgical procedures according to research, organisation and AEC protocols and relevant legislative requirements 4.5 Suture surgical wounds according to the surgical procedure 4.6 Follow agreed policies to complete post-operative anaesthesia procedures |
5. Provide post-anaesthetic and post-operative care for animals | 5.1 Use analgesics and other supportive therapies according to directions to manage animals post-operatively 5.2 Apply fluid therapy, medication, dressings, bandages and oxygen supplementation to animals according to animal needs and organisational procedures 5.3 Monitor surgical wounds for signs of healing, inflammation or infection 5.4 Monitor animals post-operatively and respond to abnormalities 5.5 Recognise and respond to emergencies immediately, seeking advice or assistance according to organisational practices 5.6 Accurately write and maintain monitoring records, including anaesthetic monitoring sheets, in line with research requirements and the organisation's AEC |
6. Maintain facilities and equipment | 6.1 Clean facilities and equipment and store according to organisational policies and procedures 6.2 Carry out routine maintenance on equipment according to manufacturer requirements 6.3 Maintain anaesthetic and surgical facilities according to organisational policies and 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 |
Oral communication | Engage in discussions or provide information using appropriate vocabulary and non-verbal features Use listening and questioning techniques to confirm understanding and to engage team members |
Numeracy | Recognise safety parameters and interpret numerical information regarding quantities and doses of anaesthetic agents accordingly Interpret changes to timelines and surgery schedules, and calculate and adjust work requirements accordingly |
Sectors
Animal Technology (ATE)