Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to care for newborn foals during the neonatal period.
The unit applies to veterinary nurses who work under the supervision of a registered veterinarian in a veterinary practice.
Veterinary nurses who nurse foals need to hold and apply specialised knowledge of foal anatomy, physiology and behaviour and make reliable clinical assessments and judgements of foal health and growth.
Legislative and regulatory requirements apply to veterinary nurses and vary between state/territory jurisdictions. All users of this unit are advised to check requirements with the relevant state or territory authority.
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. Assess and maintain health of neonatal foals | 1.1 Observe and assess neonatal foal behaviour and development 1.2 Assess foal’s passive immune status 1.3 Recognise foals at risk of developing illnesses 1.4 Use humane, safe work and manual handling techniques to handle and restrain foals for routine procedures |
2. Assess foal growth and development to six weeks of age | 2.1 Identify normal growth and development of foals 2.2 Identify common abnormalities in growth and development of foals |
3. Perform a physical examination of an equine neonate | 3.1 Obtain and record foal and foaling history 3.2 Perform physical examination of foal 3.3 Record examination findings using industry standard terminology |
4. Care for and handle sick or compromised foals | 4.1 Carry out foal care procedures according to WHS requirements including assessing and controlling risks 4.2 Carry out infection control protocols for new foals 4.3 Catch, hold and restrain sick or compromised foals using safe horse-handling techniques 4.4 Provide nursing assistance for compromised foals 4.5 Assist with assessment to determine whether special nursing and intensive care is required 4.6 Assess foal maturity status |
5. Provide initial care for critically ill foal | 5.1 Provide temperature control for critically ill foals 5.2 Feed critically ill or compromised foals 5.3 Assist veterinarian before, and during referral to, neonatal intensive care unit |
6. Identify the clinical signs of common foal diseases in the early neonatal period | 6.1 Identify and assess symptoms of common foal diseases 6.2 Record and report observations using industry standard terminology |
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 |
Numeracy | Measure indicators to assist in determining foal health, including volume of colostrum consumed, levels of immunoglobins (igg) in colostrum Measure foal vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration and mucous membranes Measuring dosages and recording treatments |
Get the work done | Address irregularities and contingencies in the context of the work role |
Sectors
Veterinary Nursing (VET)