Conduct regulated surgical procedures on animals in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers conducting regulated surgical procedures on animals in a Home Office designated establishment.

When working with research animals recognise humanity’s obligation to them and your responsibility for ensuring their proper care and treatment at all times.

You must conduct regulated surgical procedures on animals correctly, effectively and with due regard for the welfare of the animal. The type of procedures carried out will vary but you must have a good understanding of the procedure taking place and why animals are used.

You will be expected to handle tissues or organs and use surgical materials and equipment correctly, including the relevant anaesthetic equipment.

You will be expected to use different methods of anaesthesia which will include injected, topical and gaseous. You must also obtain accurate monitoring information from observations and measurements of vital signs.

This standard is for licensed animal technologists in Home Office designated establishments.

It is essential, that you work strictly within the limits of both your personal licence and the relevant project licence.

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1. confirm that your work is carried out in accordance with the approved codes of practice and organisation procedures and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
3. assess the risks to health and safety before starting and throughout the activity
4. comply with legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies relating to the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment
5. use safe practices and the correct clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity
6. maintain the required levels of hygiene and biosecurity in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
7. implement infection control measures and use aseptic techniques in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
8. maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
9. confirm that all the required equipment and materials are available and in a fit state for use
10. confirm the identity of the animal and the regulated surgical procedure to be undertaken against the available information
11. conduct regulated surgical procedures promptly and effectively according to the requirements of the procedure and the condition of the animal
12. obtain monitoring information throughout the procedure and take the appropriate action where problems arise
13. handle the animal’s tissues and organs according to the requirements of the procedure so as not to cause unnecessary damage or trauma
14. apply surgical materials at the correct location and in the correct manner
15. apply medication in the correct dosage and at the correct time
16. attach surgical equipment to the animal at the correct location and with minimal effect on tissue
17. correctly use surgical equipment and apply it at the correct time
18. deal with waste from the activity safely and correctly in accordance with the relevant legislation and the organisation’s procedures
19. keep accurate and up-to-date records as required by the relevant legislation and the organisation
20. conduct all activities within the provisions and standard conditions of your personal licence and the project licence

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1. your responsibilities under the current environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
2. your responsibilities for the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment under the relevant animal welfare legislation and Home Office codes of practice
3. the reasons for using animals in scientific research and humanity’s responsibilities to them
4. the current legislation relating to the conduct of regulated surgical procedures on animals and the need for appropriate personal and project licences
5. the importance and correct use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the surgical environment in a Home Office designated establishment
6. the importance of maintaining the appropriate levels of hygiene and biosecurity and the procedures for this
7. the appropriate infection-control measures and aseptic techniques for different types of surgical procedures
8. the type of information that could be used to identify the animal and the planned procedure
9. the equipment and materials required to conduct different regulated surgical procedures and how to identify that they are in a fit state for use
10. the principles of successful surgery and how this can be achieved
11. how to monitor animals during regulated surgical procedures and how to recognise specific indications of problems for different types of animals and procedures
12. the types of problems that may arise, how to respond to resolve the issue, when to escalate and who to contact
13. how to handle animal tissue and organs while conducting regulated surgical procedures
14. the sensitivity of different types of tissue and organs
15. the correct locations for the application of surgical materials
16. how to use surgical instruments
17. the type and level of medication that should be applied during regulated surgical procedures
18. how and where to connect different types of surgical equipment during regulated surgical procedures
19. how and when to operate surgical equipment during regulated surgical procedures
20. the legal and organisational requirements for the handling, storage and disposal of waste produced by the activity
21. the information that needs to be recorded and the organisation’s procedures for this
22. the provisions and standard conditions of your personal licence and the provisions of the project licence

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3

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2030

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Current

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Original

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Lantra

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LANAT15

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Animal Facility Manager, Licensed Animal Technologist, Team Leader, Senior Animal Technologist

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6129

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animal; research; surgical procedure; licence; tissue; organs

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