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.
Sample requirements may include:
a range of samples:
blood
faeces
muscle biopsy
nasal discharge
saliva
semen specimens
skin scrapings
urine and semen specimens
monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate and temperature
injecting substances subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously
administering substances via ingestion, topical application or inhalation
preparing samples for chemical, visual assessment.
Techniques to minimise stress and discomfort may include:
moving animal to collection area in own housing
sedating animals
restraining animals
numbing collection area
collecting specimens away from distractions from other animals, sounds, smells or other stimuli.
Risks associated with preparation and administration of substances may include:
allergic reaction of animal to substances
animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
contamination of samples
cross contamination between project classified clean and dirty animals
escape of animals and subsequent threat to safety of humans and other animals
haemorrhage, oedema and other tissue damage
handling of chemicals and medicines
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
maintaining body temperature and other vitals for life
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
not being able to reach target tissue
potential injuries to humans during capture, handling and transport processes
release of infective agents (animal and human)
reaction to collection leading to shock
slippery or uneven work surfaces
transmission of zoonotic diseases.
Monitoring of animals during administration of substances or during recovery may include:
measurement of temperature, pulse and respiration manually or via monitors attached to animals
observations of behaviour:
allergic reaction
bleeding
loss of nervous system control
loss/regaining consciousness depending on procedures used
symptoms of shock
observation of behaviour during recovery, and return to normal routines for rest, exercise, eating and social interaction.
Emergency response requirements may include:
animal or human first aid procedures for:
allergic reaction
bits, kicks and scratches
haemorrhage
needle or sharps accidents
shock
capture and isolation of escaped animals
decontamination of technician or animal.
Animal and project records may include:
animal:
identification
substances administered, including amounts and method of administration
response to administration of substance
tissue and body fluid samples taken
any problems with animal health that arise during administration of substances, collection of samples and during recovery
project:
project ethics approval details
project substance administration and sampling instructions
number of animals used and their identification details
officer who administered substances and collected samples
substances and amounts administered
methods used to administer substances
samples taken and methods used to collect samples
incidents or issues that arose during project procedures.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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:
prepare animals for substance administration and sample collection in accordance with legislative, ethical and approved workplace project protocols
calculate dose rates, prepare and administer substances as directed by supervisor and in accordance with legislative, ethical and approved workplace project protocols
collect samples of body tissue and fluids from animals in accordance with legislative, ethical and approved workplace project protocols
prepare samples in accordance with workplace protocols and project requirements
document procedures used in the administration of substances and collection of samples and any events that occur.

The skills and knowledge required to conduct non-surgical procedures on 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
All activities and procedures must be performed in accordance with animal welfare legislation, ethical and approved project protocols under supervision of a senior or more experienced staff member.

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal technology research facility or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a range of research animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategies 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.

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).