Administer emergency first aid and assist with the provision of emergency treatment to veterinary patients

1. carry out an initial assessment of the veterinary patient's physical and medical condition
2. assess the risks to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues when administering emergency first aid and assisting with the provision of emergency treatment to veterinary patients
3. select and wear the required clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
4. select and implement the required veterinary practice infection control  procedures for the area of the veterinary practice you are working in
5. assess the animal welfare needs of the veterinary patient and how they may be addressed or affected while in your care
6. ensure the veterinary patient's vital systems are functioning
7. carry out resuscitation to maintain life when required
8. examine the veterinary patient to make a complete assessment of its condition not just the site of the injury
9. obtain information on the veterinary patient where possible (e.g. relevant medical conditions or recent history of veterinary care)
10. prioritise your first aid actions to stabilise the veterinary patient
11. administer first aid to the veterinary patient according to practice procedures within the limits of your responsibility
12. monitor the outcomes of the first aid you administered
13. assist the veterinary surgeon in the provision of emergency treatment
14. inform the veterinary surgeon about the veterinary patient's condition
15. dispose of surplus and waste materials in accordance with relevant legislation and veterinary practice procedures
16. comply with relevant animal health and welfare legislation and codes of practice
17. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislations, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and veterinary practice policies

1. why it is important to administer the required first aid and assist with ascertain the condition of the veterinary patients
2. how to assess the risks to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues when administering emergency first aid and assisting with the provision of emergency treatment to veterinary patients
3. the importance of selecting and wearing the required clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) when administering emergency first aid and assisting with the provision of emergency treatment to veterinary patients
4. the required veterinary practice infection control procedures for the area of the veterinary practice you are working in
5. the clinical signs conditions in veterinary patients which require first aid
6. the threat to the veterinary patient's life posed by first aid procedures
7. how to assess the animal welfare needs of the veterinary patient and how they may be addressed
8. how to stabilise veterinary patients with different conditions and how to prioritise first aid treatment
9. why it is important to keep the client informed of the actions being taken on the veterinary patient
10. the principles of animal first aid
11. the veterinary practice protocols that apply to the provision of first aid and emergency treatment to veterinary patients in your practice
12. how to administer different types of first aid to veterinary patients
13. the indications that the first aid is working
14. why it is important to report concerns with the veterinary patient's condition to the veterinary surgeon
15. your responsibilities for the health and welfare of animals under the relevant legislation and codes of practice
16. your professional responsibilities as a registered veterinary nurse
17. your responsibility under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislations, codes of practice and business policies

Animal Health and Welfare Need:

1. for a suitable environment (place to live)

2. for a suitable diet

3. to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
4. to be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable)
5. to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease