Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide intensive care of compromised newborn foals during hospitalisation in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The unit applies to veterinary nurses who work under the supervision of a registered veterinarian in a veterinary practice; however, the functions in this unit are likely to be carried out under minimal supervision within industry guidelines.
Veterinary nurses providing intensive foal care need to hold and apply specialised knowledge of foal anatomy, physiology and behaviour and make reliable clinical assessments and judgements of foal health.
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. Admit new arrivals to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) | 1.1 Prepare and admit new arrivals according to practice procedures 1.2 Place foals correctly in intensive care unit 1.3 Conduct preliminary general clinical examination 1.4 Record relevant history, identification data and clinical findings on appropriate forms 1.5 Maintain patient records |
2. Provide nursing care for recumbent foals | 2.1 Apply safe handling techniques when assisting foal to rise 2.2 Provide aseptic techniques and nursing care 2.3 Carry out regular monitoring according to veterinary directions 2.4 Use specialised monitoring equipment according to manufacturer instructions |
3. Provide respiratory support and perform emergency ventilation for foals | 3.1 Assist respiration in recumbent foals 3.2 Maintain oxygen supplementation 3.3 Carry out safe work practices when handling oxygen equipment 3.4 Assist with initial resuscitation according to industry practice 3.5 Provide emergency ventilation for foals |
4. Assemble crash kit items | 4.1 Identify crash kit items from inventory list 4.2 Check and restock pharmacy inventory |
5. Prepare and administer enteral and parenteral nutrition to impaired foals in NICU | 5.1 Prepare enteral and parenteral nutrition 5.2 Feed impaired foals according to instruction 5.3 Monitor enteral and parenteral therapies |
6. Prepare parenteral medications | 6.1 Prepare medications aseptically 6.2 Administer medications according to instructions 6.3 Monitor and maintain intravenous fluids and intravenous catheters 6.4 Operate and maintain infusion pump 6.5 Monitor and maintain plasma and blood transfusions |
7. Implement routine industry standard infection controls in a foal NICU | 7.1 Maintain aseptic techniques and strict hygiene protocol for the NICU 7.2 Perform regular, ongoing, hygienic maintenance of the floor, counter, cabinets and stalls 7.3 Complete routine daily checks of specialist equipment 7.4 Isolate critically ill and infected foals and observe strict sanitary procedures |
8. Provide routine care for mare in NICU | 8.1 Carry out routine tasks involving hospital care of the dam (brood mare) 8.2 Milk out mares as per instructions |
9. Discharge foals from NICU | 9.1 Discharge foals according to industry guidelines 9.2 Prepare facilities for incoming patient |
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 | Work as part of a team and in close working arrangements with the supervising veterinarian |
Numeracy | Measure and monitor foal vital signs Monitor and maintain intravenous fluids and plasma and/or blood transfusions Accurately measure medication dosages |
Get the work done | Maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control Address irregularities and contingencies in the context of the work role |
Sectors
Veterinary Nursing (VET)