Implant a microchip in an animal

work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience

work in accordance with the current Veterinary Surgeons Act and the current Microchip Regulations and the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience

carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies

carry out your work in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies

establish measures to maintain hygiene and bio-security and check that these are maintained throughout

select and wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)

confirm the requirements for the implantation of a microchip and check that informed consent to carry out microchipping of the animal is obtained from the owner/keeper and recorded

refer to records to confirm the suitability of the animal for the implantation of a microchip

advise referral to a veterinary surgeon if the health of the animal raises concerns about the suitability of the implantation of a microchip

scan the animal to check for an existing microchip and take required action if one is detected

prepare the work area, equipment and paperwork as required

scan the microchip to confirm it is functioning correctly and that the microchip number matches the bar code and confirm an ISO FDXB microchip prior to implantation

check that the animal is handled using a suitable method to enable the implantation to take place

identify the relevant implantation site for the species you are working with

prepare the implantation site according to the species

implant the microchip, according to the size of the animal, maintaining asepsis

scan the animal to confirm the microchip is in place and working

explain the implantation procedure you have performed on the animal to the owner or keeper

clean and store the required tools and equipment in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturers’ guidelines and organisational policies  

deal with waste in accordance with workplace instructions, organisational practice and the relevant legislation

the requirements of the current Veterinary Surgeons Act and Microchip Regulations in relation to your role and the implantation of microchips

your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies

your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies

the importance of maintaining hygiene and biosecurity and the methods for achieving this

how to recognise and interpret signs of animal health conditions and behaviour that may indicate it would not be suitable to continue with the activity or that the animal is unsuitable for the implantation of a microchip

the signs of transmissible disease and zoonotic risk in the animals you are working with

the importance of obtaining and recording the informed consent of the owner/keeper and obtaining a history of the animal in line with current legislation

the required implantation site for the species you are working with and how to prepare the implantation site with a suitable skin disinfectant or cleaner

the animal anatomy and physiology relevant to the implantation site and the structures adjacent to the implantation site

the organisational procedures and pattern to scan an animal prior to implantation, including checking for migrated microchips and the action to take if an existing chip is located

how to select, prepare, maintain and store tools and equipment, required for implantation of a microchip, in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturers’ guidelines and organisational policies

the importance of the sterility of equipment and the microchip and how to maintain and check these

why it is important to scan the microchip to confirm it is functioning and that the microchip number matches the bar code

how to handle and restrain the animal to allow for the implantation to take place and when assistance may be required

the technique used to implant the microchip, the importance of maintaining asepsis, and when it may be necessary to stop the procedure

the action to take in the event of an adverse reaction to the implantation

how to scan the animal to confirm the microchip is in place and working, and why it is important to do so

the importance of the implanter registering the microchip onto the DEFRA compliant database

how to handle, transport, store and dispose of different types of waste, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational policy

when referral to a veterinary surgeon should be advised

your professional conduct when collaborating with veterinary professionals and those in authority

your legal and professional liability and the importance of suitable insurance

your professional responsibilities and the need to maintain professional competence