Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this unit may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What is meant by anaesthesia?
Anaesthesia refers to the use of a drug administered for medical or surgical purposes that induces total loss of sensation.

What equipment would be used?
Equipment would include anaesthetic machines, oxygen cylinders, syringes, needles, masks and gloves.

What could anaesthetic and monitoring equipment include?
Anaesthetic equipment and supplies could include filters, soda lime and canisters, gas cylinders, vaporisers, anaesthetic machines, scavenging systems, tubes, masks, incubators, anaesthetic trolleys and re-breathing bags.
Anaesthetic monitoring equipment may include intubation and carbon dioxide.

What is involved in a pre-anaesthetic evaluation?
Health checks including general health and condition, respiration, temperature, heart rate and weight.

What is involved in preparing animals for anaesthesia?
Preparing animals for anaesthesia may include clipping, shaving, preoperative scrubbing routines, the aseptic preparation of injection sites and applying restraining devices such as muzzles, rearing bits, head collars, halters or hobbles.
Further preparation may extend to the administration of necessary premedication, intubation and the insertion of intravenous or urinary catheters, or the preparation of equipment and materials for intravenous infusions under veterinarian supervision.

What type of OHS issues would be relevant in this context?
Animal care within animal technology has a range of associated risks from bites, envenomation, kicks or scratches. All duties should reflect an awareness of and a respect for these risks.
The handling of anaesthetic agents and chemicals requires extra care to ensure safe work practices are maintained.
The use of equipment, including its use in difficult areas, requires extra care to ensure safe work practices are maintained.
Safe work practices are used in packaging and handling loads including animals and equipment. Appropriate safe handling techniques are used to reduce muscle load on exertion.
Some animal technology facilities may expose personnel to risks such as zoonoses, release of infective agents (both animal and human) and chemical spillage. Procedures to reduce the spread of disease may include incident reporting, cleaning, the removal of waste and spillage, the containment or elimination of risk, the use of personal protective clothing and equipment and seeking advice from workplace supervisors.

Which institution protocols must be complied with?
OHS procedures, ethics committee and safety committee procedures, industry recognised standards and institutional policies and standard operating procedures.

What methods may be used to induce an animal in anaesthesia?
Anaesthetics may be induced through gaseous and injectable preparations and may also include intermittent positive pressure ventilation.

What possible anaesthetic emergencies could be encountered?
Anaesthetic emergencies may include an animal going into shock, respiratory distress, hypothermia or hyperthermia.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?
The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

prepare facilities, personnel and equipment including anaesthetic equipment and anaesthetic agents
prepare animals and carry out pre-anaesthetic evaluations
comply with institutional protocols
monitor and maintain animals in anaesthesia
recognise and respond to anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic emergencies
provide post-anaesthetic care
maintain appropriate records
clean, maintain and store facilities and equipment as required
communicate with supervisors and follow instructions.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed below and include:

a sound working knowledge of animal biology, anatomy and physiology
a sound working knowledge of types of anaesthesia and their use within animal technology
a sound knowledge of a range of anaesthetic equipment including anaesthetic machines, vaporisers, cycle systems, tubing, re-breathing systems and scavenger systems
the principles of managing an anaesthetic overdose
institution protocols, policies and procedures, including OHS.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include:

ability to use anaesthetic equipment
ability to administer anaesthetics as directed by the supervisor
ability to maintain accurate records
ability to follow institutional policies and procedures, including OHS
ability to handle animals safely and ensure their health and wellbeing is maintained in accordance with institutional requirements
ability to prepare animals correctly for anaesthesia
ability to monitor animals' vital signs during anaesthesia through to recovery
ability to recognise, respond to and assist with anaesthetic emergencies
keen observation skills
literacy skills to read and implement institutional protocols, policies and procedures, including OHS; select and apply the procedures to perform a range of defined tasks; implement sequenced written instructions; and record patient details accurately and legibly
interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the institution including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification, acknowledging and responding to a range of views
numeracy skills to monitor vital signs
problem-solving skills to use available resources, prioritise tasks and select, prepare and use facilities and equipment.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate animal technology workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace
animals
facilities, equipment, personnel used for anaesthetic procedures
institution protocols, policies and procedures.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, procedures and responsibilities and, where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal technology workplace.
There must be access in this situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency
PMLTEST305A Perform aseptic techniques

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this unit of competency. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Through discussions with supervisors during the anaesthetic procedures. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By collecting and recording data before, during and after anaesthetic procedures. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By organising and planning anaesthetic procedures that meet research and institutional requirements. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By responding to anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic emergencies. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By accurately calculating doses for analgesics and other supportive therapies. (3)

Solving problems
By planning the work schedule for anaesthetic procedures to ensure adequate resources are available. (2)

Using technology
By using anaesthetic monitoring equipment and recording data electronically. (2)