Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Animal (patient) identification and features may include:
coat or skin colours and texture, markings and patterns, permanent scars, toe nail colour and eye colour
height, age and sex
microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings, and leg bands.
Animal first aid may be required for:
haemorrhage
fractures and dislocations
injuries to and failing of organs and systems
respiratory distress
toxicity
wounds.
Clinical signs that may be observed may include:
blood pressure
pulse rate and quality
respiratory rate and effort
rectal temperature
pulse oximetry and blood gases
anaesthesia depth
capillary refill time
palpebral reflex
heart rate
mucous membrane colour
pedal withdrawal reflex.
Audible, visible or measurable signs of pain, including behavioural changes may include:
biting, kicking and scratching
blood pressure
displacement of bones
elevated temperature
increased heart rate
increased respiration
increased vocalisation
pale mucous membranes
straining or arching of the back,
trembling and changes in normal physiology
withdrawal of affected limb.
Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
handling of chemicals and medicines
gas leakage
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Pain management techniques may include:
appropriate analgesics
comfortable bedding
heat source
limb elevation using restraints or cradles
maintenance of body temperature and patient airway.
Prescribed routines may include:
bandaging and wound management
bathing, grooming and nail clipping or beak trimming
checking body weights to gauge hospitalisation success or stress
exercising and providing nutritional requirements
maintaining urinary and intravenous catheters
monitoring basic drug dosages
neonatal nursing
oral and injectable administration of medications
parasitic control treatments.
Appropriate environment may include:
elements, such as:
atmosphere:
light, sound, suitable bedding and warmth
access to food and water, as appropriate
allowing animals to facilitate bodily functions with non-intervention.
Monitoring patients may include:
observing and recording:
pulse, heart rate and respiration
temperature
capillary refill time
palpebral reflex
demeanour
urinary and faecal ability
output and volume
fluid and food intake ability and volume
observation and maintenance of intravenous fluid lines
oxygen therapy
in-dwelling urinary and intravenous catheters
all changes must be reported to the veterinarian.
Industry-recognised animal psychological procedures may include:
mental stimulation as required
provision of comfort (e.g. touching, stroking, speaking, soothing and reassuring) and privacy (e.g. hiding places for wildlife and shy species), according to individual animal requirements

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
identify patients and determine patient histories
provide animal first aid as required
observe patients and maintain accurate records for clinical signs, pain and behavioural changes
meet patients' needs whilst they are treated or housed at clinic
inform clients of patients' progress and counsel clients accordingly
communicate effectively with the veterinarian and clients.
The skills and knowledge required to nurse animals must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment for this Unit is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a veterinary nursing workplace with access to the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.
Method of assessment
To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, patients, cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities.
The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.
This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).