Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to respond with urgency to perform pre-hospital evaluations, apply and maintain first aid to sustain life, and carry out triage procedures for emergency and critical care cases.
This unit applies to veterinary nurses with extensive vocational expertise who are responsible for providing advanced nursing skills for emergency procedures. The unit applies to veterinary nurses, under the supervision of a registered, specialist veterinarian in a veterinary practice, referral centre or an emergency centre. Veterinary nurses who work in emergency care exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work.
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
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Perform pre-hospital evaluation | 1.1 Establish immediate patient history with client 1.2 Communicate emergency first aid advice for the patient to the client 1.3 Communicate transportation advice and the practice’s location to the client |
2. Assess patient to confirm the need for emergency response | 2.1 Conduct visual patient assessment 2.2 Conduct assessment of patient using safe handling techniques for protection of self, others and patient 2.3 Interpret and evaluate signs and symptoms to confirm life threatening or other situation status in consultation with veterinarian |
3. Apply and maintain first aid to sustain life | 3.1 Apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures according to patient’s needs and under veterinary supervision 3.2 Apply procedures for haemorrhage control and oxygen therapy according to patient’s needs and under veterinary supervision |
4. Carry out triage procedures and stabilise patient under veterinarian direction | 4.1 Complete and evaluate triage parameters 4.2 Report triage findings to attending veterinarian 4.3 Provide clear and concise directions to supporting personnel 4.4 Provide specific emergency and critical care nursing assistance ensuring hygiene and infection control protocols are followed |
5. Complete history and secondary survey | 5.1 Confirm patient history with client records 5.2 Perform secondary survey in conjunction with veterinarian 5.3 Update patient records |
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 | Weigh and measure animals Monitor and record animal vital signs |
Get the work done | Work with other team members and under veterinarian’s directions to implement emergency procedures Address irregularities and contingencies in the context of the work role |
Sectors
Veterinary Nursing (VET)