Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform office procedures in a veterinary practice, including maintaining veterinary supplies, controlling stock, maintaining practice accounts, generating and responding to practice correspondence.
This unit applies to a veterinary nurse working under supervision of a registered veterinarian in a veterinary practice. Veterinary nurses use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.
Legislative and regulatory requirements apply to veterinary nurses but vary according to state/territory jurisdictions. Users must check with the relevant regulatory authority before delivery.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Maintain veterinary supplies in compliance with regulatory and practice practices | 1.1 Maintain practice supplies according to practice protocols and WHS requirements 1.2 Carry out practice order to wholesaler 1.3 Follow practice stock pricing policy 1.4 Implement stock-ordering procedures using inventories provided 1.5 Communicate effectively with supervising veterinarian regarding practice stock levels 1.6 Document, store and secure veterinary medicines according to legislative requirements and practice policy |
2. Maintain practice accounts according to practice policies | 2.1 Prepare and issue accounts 2.2 Complete reconciliation of daily takings 2.3 Receive and record payment of customer accounts 2.4 Maintain basic monetary records according to established industry business practices |
3. Process and prepare correspondence according to practice policies | 3.1 Complete correspondence for clients 3.2 Write practice correspondence using industry terminology and appropriate styles for clients, suppliers and other health care providers 3.3 Process correspondence and mail documents to relevant parties 3.4 File and store correspondence |
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 | Access and follow practice policies and procedures and relevant legislation |
Get the work done | Effectively use computer software, including word processing, accountant and database patient records Problem-solve issues with accounts and correspondence Address irregularities and contingencies in the context of the work role |
Sectors
Veterinary Nursing (VET)