Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Detailed patient history
Detailed patient history means:
patient name, species, breed, sex, age & reproductive status
lifestyle and environment
previous medical history
any recent or ongoing problems
patient behaviour and clinical signs.
Detailed physical examination
Detailed physical examination includes:
demeanour, stance and gait
full examination from nose to tail including all body systems
mucous membrane colour and capillary refill time
auscultation of the chest
palpation of the abdomen
rectal temperature
pulse and respiratory rates.
Body systems
Body systems are:
cardiovascular
digestive
endocrine
excretory
immune
integumentary
muscular
nervous
reproductive
respiratory
skeletal.
Basic disease processes
Basic disease processes mean:
inflammation
infection
neoplasia
heritable and congenital abnormalities
endocrine disorders
trauma
toxicity.
Nursing support
Nursing support may include:
recording patient history
safe handling and physical restraint of patient
sample collection and storage
admission procedures
administration
patient discharge
follow up and revisit procedures.
Diagnostic tests
Diagnostic tests include:
antigen test
biochemistry
biopsy
blood cross match
cytology
haematology
faecal floatation
fluid analysis
fine needle aspirate
fungal assay
hormone assay
microbial culture and sensitivity (MC&S) preparation
sediment examination
serological tests, for example enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests on blood serum to detect antigen or antibodies (evidence of infection)
smear
skin scrape
urinalysis.
Causative agents
Causative agents include:
bacteria
fungi
internal and external parasites
prions
protozoa
toxins and poisons
viruses.
Contributing factors
Contributing factors include:
diet
lifestyle
genetics
environment.
Strategies
Strategies include:
verbal and/or written protocols
policies and procedures
recommendations
treatment/prevention plans.
Veterinary medications
Veterinary medications may include but are not limited to:
anaesthetic induction agents
analgesics
antibiotics
anticonvulsants
antiemetics
corticosteroids
cytotoxic drugs
emetics
hormones
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
sedatives
vitamins
other drugs as directed.
Appropriate treatment
Appropriate treatment includes but is not limited to:
medical management
dietary restriction
physiotherapy
palliative care.
Written or verbal instructions
Written or verbal instructions may include but are not limited to:
conversations either face-to-face or telephone
discharge notes
patient records
veterinary reports
client handouts and information brochures detailing recommended veterinary care.
Environmental factors
Environmental factors may include:
diet
housing
lifestyle
other animals
owner compliance
people.
Follow-up procedures
Follow-up procedures may include but are not limited to:
revisits
reminders
telephone calls
telephone reports
repeat tests and procedures
referrals.

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:
collect a detailed patient history
perform effective physical examination
identify abnormal body function
conduct effective triage of patients
collect, store and process samples for a range of clinical pathology tests
identify cause and clinical signs of common disease processes
implement clinic protocols and procedures for the prevention of zoonosis in a range of companion animals
comply with relevant infection control and workplace health and safety requirements
identify benefits from and adverse responses to a range of veterinary medications used in general practice
manage outpatients.
The skills and knowledge required to apply veterinary pathophysiology must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.
It is highly recommended that learners perform work placement in another approved veterinary practice or training workplace in order to gather further evidence of competence and demonstrate the transferability of skills and knowledge outcomes.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a veterinary practice in order to gain exposure to sufficient caseload.
There must be access to a veterinary clinic or animal hospital, a range of companion animals as well as the appropriate equipment, resources and documentation 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 an extended period of time, by collecting medical history, assessing patients, collecting samples, performing in-house laboratory tests, recognising common disease processes and co-ordinating the treatment of patients as directed by a veterinarian on a regular basis.
The assessment strategy must include a 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
case study analysis
role plays
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).