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.
Anaesthesia refers to:
the use of a drug administered for medical or surgical purposes that induces total loss of sensation.
Anaesthetic agents, equipment and supplies may include:
anaesthesia agents:
isoflurane
ketamine
ketamine combination anaesthesia
methoxyflurane
anaesthetic equipment and supplies:
anaesthetic machines and trolleys
filters
gas cylinders
incubators
masks
re-breathing bags
soda lime and canisters
scavenging systems
tubes
vaporisers
relevant state or territory drugs and poisons legislation must be complied with.
Surgical instruments and equipment may include:
forceps
needles
needle holders
resection clamps
scalpels
scissors
sutures.
Maintaining an aseptic environment includes:
positive pressure airflow
sterile drapes, gloves, gowns and equipment
swabs of betadine or alcohol.
OHS risks associated with animal technician procedures include:
animal bites, kicks, scratches or 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)
scalds and burns from sterilising and cleaning equipment
zoonoses.
Relative legislative requirements include:
Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes
related state or territory legislation for:
animal welfare
protection of cruelty to animals
animal protection
animal research
relevant state or territory drugs and poisons legislation.
Subject to research requirements animals may include:
on most occasions the animal species will be common laboratory animals:
guinea pigs
mice
rabbits
rats
on some occasions animal species may include:
amphibians, fish and reptiles
dogs and cats
fish
invertebrates
livestock (e.g. sheep, cattle and pigs)
native wildlife (e.g. marsupials and birds)
primates
poultry.
Preparing an animal may include:
applying restraining devices:
halters or hobbles
head collars
muzzles
rearing bits
aseptic preparation of injection sites
clipping
preoperative skin preparation routines
further preparation may extend to:
administration of necessary premedication
intubation and the insertion of intravenous or urinary catheters
preparation of equipment and materials for intravenous infusions.
Pre-anaesthetic and pre-operative medication may include:
the use of:
analgesics
antibiotics
sedatives
tranquillisers.
Pre-anaesthetic and pre-operative evaluations may include:
animal health checks:
general health and condition
heart rate
respiration
temperature
weight.
Methods used to induce an animal in anaesthesia may include:
gaseous and injectable preparations:
intermittent positive pressure ventilation.
Possible anaesthetic emergencies may include:
an animal going into:
hypothermia or hyperthermia
respiratory distress
shock.
Basic surgical procedures that may be performed on common laboratory animals include:
embryo insertion
implantation of mini-pumps or catheters
ovarian transfer
vasectomy.
Post-operative anaesthesia procedures may include:
extubation
continued monitoring of vital signs
positioning of patient recumbency in consideration of recovery phase and surgical site
adjustment of intravenous fluid therapy rates.
Post-operative abnormalities that may be encountered include:
abnormalities in wounds and surgical sites:
haemorrhage or other exudation
swelling
self-trauma
other abnormalities:
abnormal distension
cold extremities
delayed recovery
increased heart rate
increased respiratory rate
low body temperature
pale mucous membranes.

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 competence 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 facilities, personnel and equipment, including anaesthetic equipment, anaesthetic agents and surgical instruments and equipment
prepare animal and carry out pre-anaesthetic and pre-operative evaluation
comply with institutional protocols, policies and procedures, AEC and relevant legislative requirements
induce, monitor and maintain an animal in anaesthesia
perform aseptic and basic surgical procedures
recognise and respond to emergencies during and after anaesthesia and surgery
provide post-anaesthetic and post-operative care
maintain appropriate and accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to administer anaesthesia and perform surgery on animals for scientific purposes 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 of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately be assessed in an animal research facility or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions that has a scientific establishment licence and access to an approved AEC.

There must also be access to the relevant information, materials and documentation to enable one to demonstrate competence. This would include access to research animals, anaesthetic equipment, anaesthetic agents, surgical instruments and equipment as required for the anaesthetic and surgical procedures.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's 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 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
case study analysis
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).