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 might be the reasons to conduct euthanasia?
Reasons to conduct euthanasia might include the need to alleviate uncontrollable pain and distress, reaching the end point of research, cull of production, meeting the requirements of product quality assurance, outbreak of disease, environmental failure, fire or other trauma and accidents or excessive aggression.

What are the relevant legislative requirements that might impact on the euthanasia of animals?
Euthanasia of animals will be controlled by:
relevant state or territory legislation and regulations such as those relating to the use of firearms, prevention of cruelty to animals, wildlife, fisheries, quarantine, the practice of veterinary surgery and the administration and storage of therapeutic and controlled substances
relevant codes of practice, including the Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes
approval from the institution's ethics committee
local government regulations covering the transport and disposal of hazardous wastes.

What records may be kept?
Breeding performance, genetic constitution, health status, environmental variables, fate of animals, staff training and rosters, monitoring animal health and wellbeing and other species-specific records.

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:

manage the use, care and containment of animals to be used in research programs
manage the euthanasia of research animals
monitor staff performing euthanasia procedures
monitor and manage containment and exclusion procedures
review, improve and implement the institution's standard operating procedures
communicate effectively with others
maintain accurate records.

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:

methodology and format of the institution's standard operating procedures
hazards and risks associated with euthanasia
methods and administration routes of euthanasia and their suitability for a range of species
equipment and drugs commonly used for euthanasia
signs of pain and distress in commonly held species
institution's standard operating procedures relating to restraining, handling, euthanasing and disposing of animals
institution's standard operating procedures relating to the use, storage and transport of equipment and drugs used when conducting euthanasia of animals
anatomy and physiology of animals commonly held in the institution, especially the neck and head and respiration and heart rates
relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances
workplace procedures and resources for grief and stress management and counselling
the Quarantine Act
relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science and animal welfare and research
AS/NZS 2243.3:2002: Safety in laboratories - Microbiological aspects and containment facilities
relevant codes of practice such as the Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes
relevant industry quality assurance requirements
an awareness of containment and exclusion policies, procedures and requirements under the federal Gene Technology Act
reporting procedures for alleged breaches of containment and exclusion procedures
consequences of breaching containment and exclusion procedures.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

research, develop and communicate the institution's standard operating procedures
analyse material critically
communicate orally with others in the workplace using appropriate questioning techniques and active listening
identify when direction and advice is needed from senior and more experienced staff and seek it
consult with other staff, including senior staff
prepare and write reports
work cooperatively with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
solve problems using available resources in euthanasing research animals.

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 that has a scientific establishment licence and access to an approved Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)
equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace
the institution's standard operating procedures
relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice
record-keeping systems.

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, cases 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 institution or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access in either 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

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
By collecting and reporting relevant information to ethics committees, researchers and other staff, by discussing the institution's standard operating procedures with staff and by explaining compliance requirements. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By collecting and collating records to provide information for self and staff and by meeting compliance requirements. (3)

Planning and organising activities
By ensuring daily activities comply with legislative and other requirements. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By working with other staff in a coordinated manner to confirm requirements of tasks and by consulting with all relevant staff about the application of and improvement to the institution's standard operating procedures. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By collating data for reports on animal use and production and by calculating doses for euthanasia. (3)

Solving problems
By evaluating breeding requirements. (3)

Using technology
By using electronic equipment to maintain accurate records. (3)