Conduct diagnostic imaging on veterinary patients and produce the results

This standard is about conducting diagnostic imaging on veterinary patients and producing the results.  This will include confirming the veterinary patients' condition and identifying which diagnostic test is required, identifying the areas to be imaged, processing the diagnostic image correctly and recording results in accordance with the veterinary practice procedures.

This standard is suitable for registered veterinary nurses.

1. confirm the veterinary patient's condition and the diagnostic imaging technique required
2. assess the risks to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues when conducting diagnostic imaging on veterinary patients
3. select and implement the required veterinary practice infection control procedures relevant to the area of the veterinary practice you are working in
4. select and wear the required clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) and confirm that those involved in diagnostic testing comply
5. position and restrain the veterinary patient using suitable restraining equipment and methods
6. identify the areas to be imaged and conduct the diagnostic imaging according to the requirements of the veterinary surgeon and the veterinary patient's condition
7. monitor the veterinary patient to detect difficulties while carrying out the diagnostic imaging
8. keep the veterinary patient relaxed and minimise physical discomfort in the clinical environment
9. end the diagnostic imaging session according to veterinary practice procedures
10. complete records according to relevant legal and veterinary practice requirements
11. process the diagnostic image
12. produce diagnostic images of the quality required by the veterinary practice
13. check the quality of the diagnostic image and ensure that the results are recorded against the identified veterinary patient according to the veterinary practice procedures
14. identify any invalid diagnostic imaging results and ensure remedial action is taken
15. comply with relevant animal health and welfare legislation and codes of practice
16. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislations, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and business policies

1. why it is important to confirm what area of the veterinary patient is being investigated and what imaging technique is required
2. how to assess the risks to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues when conducting diagnostic imaging on veterinary patients
3. the required veterinary practice infection control procedures relevant to the area of the veterinary practice you are working in
4. the types of required clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for conducting diagnostic imaging on veterinary patients
5. how to position and restrain different types of veterinary patients
6. how to ensure that the correct diagnostic techniques are being applied
7. how to carry out different types of diagnostic imaging
8. the importance of monitoring veterinary patients during diagnostic imaging and when to alert members of the veterinary team of any concerns
9. how to keep the veterinary patient relaxed and minimise physical discomfort in clinical environments
10. the importance of positioning, anatomical directions, collimation, centring and labelling when undertaking diagnostic imaging on veterinary patients
11. what adjustments to environmental conditions are needed for different types of veterinary patients
12. how to produce the recorded image to the required veterinary practice diagnostic quality
13. the documentation that has to be completed at the end of the diagnostic imaging session
14. the veterinary practice procedures for analysing and recording results
15. why it is important to match results to the correct veterinary patient
16. the methods for preventing contamination when producing results
17. the indications of invalid results and faults that occur and the remedial actions to take
18. your responsibilities for the health and welfare of animals under the relevant legislation and codes of practice.
19. your professional responsibilities as a registered veterinary nurse
20. your responsibility under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislations, codes of practice and business policies

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