Deliver basic treatments to animals in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers delivering basic treatments and medicines to animals in a Home Office designated establishment, under veterinary supervision, such as prophylactic and prescriptive medicines.

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

Where animals are undergoing scientific procedures, obligations to the personal licensee and reporting mechanisms for unexpected health concerns must be known. The Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) or other named person may need to be consulted.

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

It is essential that you work strictly within the limits of 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 the organisation’s 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 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. maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
8. confirm the identity of the animal and the treatment required before delivering basic treatments
9. use and store drugs, medications and equipment needed to deliver treatments to animals in accordance with the relevant legislation, veterinary or manufacturer’s instructions and the organisation’s procedures
10. select, prepare, use and maintain the required equipment safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturer’s instructions and the organisation’s procedures
11. use current and uncontaminated prescribed medication only for the intended animals
12. check that the correct medication and concentration are used
13. handle and restrain the animal correctly when delivering basic treatments to keep it calm and comfortable and to minimise stress
14. use the correct technique to deliver the specified treatment at the correct time as instructed by the responsible person
15. seek assistance from the relevant person when there are issues with the delivery of treatments to animals
16. minimise any discomfort and provide appropriate aftercare to animals following treatments
17. observe animals after treatment and immediately report any concerns over the animal’s health and wellbeing to the responsible person
18. dispose of used equipment, empty containers, surplus, out-of-date or unusable treatments, safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturer’s instructions 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 provision of the project licence

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1. your responsibilities under the relevant 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 importance and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when carrying out activities in a Home Office designated establishment
5. the importance of maintaining the appropriate levels of hygiene and biosecurity and the procedures for this
6. the type of information that could be used to identify animals before delivering basic treatments
7. the importance of only delivering treatments to animals as instructed by the responsible person (e.g. Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS), responsible licensee)
8. the requirements for recording and storing medicines in line with the relevant legislation, manufacturer’s instructions and the organisation’s procedures
9. the significance of expiry dates on drugs and medications and your legal requirements for recording drug use
10. the legal categories for medicines and who can dispense them
11. the importance of using the correct medication, concentration and route of administration and the implications of incorrect use
12. possible sources of contamination to medication and how to identify damage
13. the equipment and methods used for delivering basic treatments to animals
14. the potential consequences of not following instructions and procedures when delivering treatments to animals
15. safe and humane methods of animal handling and restraint to minimise stress in animals when delivering treatments
16. changes in the condition of the animal which may occur after the treatment
17. why it is necessary to monitor the behaviour of animals after treatment and how to contact the Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) or other responsible person for advice or to report concerns
18. the legal and organisation’s requirements for the handling, storage and disposal of waste produced by the activity
19. the information that needs to be recorded and the organisation’s procedures for this
20. 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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LANAT27

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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; treatments; medication; scientific

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