IAT
Level 5
QN: 610/2723/6
Curriculum Active
IAT Level 5 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by IAT. Classified as a Vocationally-Related Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 2150 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 5
Awarding Body
IAT
Syllabus Units
11 Units
Guided Hours
2150 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Anaesthesia for minor procedures
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Define key terms and principles linked to anaesthesiaDefine sedation, local and general anaesthesia
- Identify the three components of the triad of anaesthesia and understand that different anaesthetic agents produce these to different degreesDefine balanced anaesthesia and indicate that this is best achieved by using drugs in combinations to achieve all components of the anaesthetic triad to an acceptable degreeRelate why and when sedation or anaesthesia might be used for restraint
- Discuss the importance of minimising stress prior to anaesthesia in reducing the likelihood of complications due to anaesthesia List the factors to be considered in pre-anaesthetic evaluation of animals - how to perform a basic health check, consider physiological or pathological status of the model they are working with and how these may influence the choice of anaesthetic agent
- Discuss the relative merits / drawbacks and principles of selection of different agents and their application, including calculation of doses, in relevant species, including injectable and volatile agents (or dissolved agents in the case of aquatic species), including local anaesthesia regimes
- Recognise when premedication is beneficial to incorporate into an anaesthetic regime
- Describe and demonstrate the correct set-up, operation and maintenance of anaesthetic equipment appropriate to the species concerned
- Evaluate and appreciate the different levels and planes of anaesthesia (voluntary excitement, involuntary excitement, surgical anaesthesia (light, medium & deep), excessively deep).List the factors indicating that an animal is suitably anaesthetized (stable and of appropriate depth) to enable procedures to be undertaken and what actions should be taken if an adverse event occurs. This will include basic “hands on” and “observational” anaesthetic monitoring techniques, including assessment of reflexes appropriate for species.
- Describe methods of optimising post anaesthetic recovery (e.g. heat blankets, analgesia, reversal agents, access to food and water, environmental conditions) to ensure a smooth and rapid recovery from anaesthesia.
- Demonstrate an understanding of safe / good working practices with regard to use, storage and disposal of anaesthetic and analgesic agents
2
Anaesthesia for surgical or prolonged procedures
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Relate why anaesthesia is required for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.List the factors to be considered in pre-anaesthetic evaluation of animals, including acclimatisation
- Discuss the use of pre-anaesthetic agents and analgesics as part of a balanced anaesthetic regimeIndicate that a range of drugs are commonly used for premedication and the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in relevant laboratory species, and identify where to get advice on the different drugs available and their use.Indicate types of agents used for the induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia, their advantages and disadvantages and when each might be used.
- Describe how the procedure being undertaken, together with specific factors associated with a particular animal model, may influence the selection of anaesthetic regimen and the monitoring or nursing care required.
- Describe how different drug classes interact to produce the three components of the anaesthetic triad to different degrees, and how balanced anaesthesia might be best achieved by using combinations.
- Demonstrate a sufficient understanding of anaesthetic agents having a low analgesic effect, potentially requiring the use of an additional analgesia.List the factors to be considered when monitoring anaesthesia both for anaesthetic depth and physiological stability. Indicate how to determine that an animal is sufficiently deeply anaesthetised to enable painful procedures to be undertaken, and what action should be taken if an adverse events occurs.List methods which can used to assist monitoring of anaesthesia (e.g. direct assessment by the anaesthetist, the ECG, blood pressure, urine output, oxygen saturation, carbon dioxide levels) and how these can be monitored.
- Monitor anaesthetic depth and the animals' vital signs, using both clinical assessment by the anaesthetist and electronic apparatus if appropriate.
- Describe and demonstrate the correct set-up, operation and maintenance of anaesthetic and monitoring equipment appropriate to the species concerned.
- Demonstrate competence in maintaining and interpreting records of pertinent events and data collected whilst an animal is anaesthetised, as well as in managing the animal adequately.Indicate the major problems that may occur during anaesthesia, and understand how to prevent these, or manage them should they occur.
- Demonstrate an understanding of mechanical lung ventilation.
- Describe methods to optimise post anaesthetic recovery to ensure a smooth and rapid recovery from anaesthesiaConsider the consequences of anaesthesia and the surgical procedures on recovery rate and quality.
- Appreciate how the choice of anaesthetic agent will determine the rate of recovery and describe how duration and quality of anaesthesia governs the rate of recovery.
- Describe the major problems that can arise (in the post-operative period), and indicate how to prevent these, or manage them if they occur.
- Discuss how to integrate a program of pain management into an overall scheme of peri-operative care.Indicate the major problems associated with pain recognition and pain management in animals.
- Demonstrate a sufficiently detailed understanding of analgesics, e.g., routes of administration and potential adverse effects, that they may be administered safely.
- Demonstrate an understanding of safe / good working practices with regard to use, storage and disposal of anaesthetic and analgesic agents.
3
Development and Use of Genetically Altered Models for Medical Research
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Briefly describe the historical development of GA models, including current methods of creation.
- Plan breeding programmes to maintain a genetic alteration within a population according to principles of reduction and refinement
- Outline the basics principles of genotypes
- Understand why mice are widely used in animal research including the history of laboratory mice
4
Do you have what it takes to lead a team?
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to describe the role of the leader in a team
- Be able to identify the skills and behaviours needed to undertake a team leading role
- Carry out a personal audit of their own skills and behaviours
- Be able to identify a range of management styles
- Be able to recognise their own current likely management style
- Describe the key communication challenges to the role of a team leader
- Be able to identify their communication issues as possible team leader
- Be able to acknowledge their personal challenge in moving from being in a team to leading a team
5
Experimental Design & statistics
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the importance of good experimental design on animal welfare
- Recognise that there are ethical limits to what it is considered permissible to do under current UK and European National Legislation, and that even within these legal constraints, there are also likely to be institutional differences in this respect.
- Explain that legislation requires that the justification for programmes of work is assessed by weighing potential harms to the animals used against the likely benefits; that harms to animals must be minimised, and benefits maximised
- Understand and provide the information necessary to enable a robust harm/benefit assessment to be performed; and explain why they personally consider that the potential benefits outweigh the likely adverse effects
- Describe good experimental practice
- Compare published experiments against the ARRIVE guidelines
- Describe the ARRIVE guidelines
- manage and report their own experimentDifferentiate between qualitative and quantitative data
- Identify, locate and access relevant information/data from a range of sources
- Evaluate methods used to collect data
- Discuss the use of statistical analytical techniques to draw conclusions on experimental data
- Discuss the significance of the analytic results
- Evaluate the use of techniques to present dataDesign
- manage and report their own experiment, including the use of appropriate IT software packagesPresent data verbally and in written format including the use of tables, graphs, pie charts and bar charts
6
Introduction to First Line Management
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of employment law in the place of your work and how it is applied within the workplace
- Understand the main legislation underpinning employment lawBe aware of the responsibilities of employers to effectively implement employment law
- Understand the different types of contracts that can be offered to employees
- Discuss the importance of policies when dealing with claims of wrongful, unfair and constructive dismissal etc.
- Describe how management deal with restructuring/redundancies in the workplace
- Discuss the principles for promoting equal opportunities in the workplace
- Discuss how to promote and monitor equality and diversity in the workplace
- Describe UK legislation controlling discrimination in the workplace
- Discuss the different types of discrimination that can be found and how a first line manager can effectively address them
- Describe how management can prevent discrimination occurring within the workplace
- Discuss the principles of recruitment, development, and retention of staff
- Describe the process of recruitment from advertising through to induction in to the organisation
- Identify good practice when interviewing candidates
- Discuss the value of job descriptions
- Discuss the importance of the HR function in supporting the manager and staff
- Discuss the importance of staff retention
- Describe reasons for staff dissatisfaction
- Describe reasons for staff satisfaction
- Discuss the importance of staff retention to the organisation
- Reflect on the importance of management styles and behaviours
7
Managing performance for First Line Managers
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate the appropriate application of different tools available to first line managers to supervise and motivate staff within the workplace
- Apply the principles of effective communication in the workplace
- Effectively delegate tasks to staff within the workplace
- Develop effective working relationships within the workplace
8
Minimally invasive procedures without anaesthesia
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the impact of animal handling and restraint on animal welfare
- Describe appropriate methods and principles to be followed when handling animals (including methods of manual restraint and use of restricted environments).
- Describe the biological impact of procedures and restraint on physiology.
- Describe the biological consequences of transport, acclimatization, husbandry conditions and experimental procedures on the species concerned and describe how these can be minimised
- Describe techniques/procedures including, for example, injection, sampling and dosing techniques (routes/volumes/frequency), dietary modification, gavage, tissue biopsy, behavioural tests
- use of metabolic cages
- Describe how to perform techniques and relate appropriate sample volumes and sampling frequencies for the relevant species
- Describe possible physiological responses to husbandry and scientific procedures
- Discuss the potential impacts on experimental parameters
- Explain that procedures and restraints can exceed the adaptive capacities of the animal, especially if repeated or of a prolonged exposure, and may lead to longer term potential pathological stress responses
- Describe the need for rigour and consistency in conducting scientific procedures and the correct recording and handling of samples
- Discuss the use of competency training and training records
- Discuss the importance of record keeping and audit trails
- Discuss methods for minimising the impact on the animals subject to scientific proceduresRelate that maximum sampling volumes are determined by sampling volume, frequency, age and body weight in the appropriate species
- Describe refinement opportunities for procedures and restraint, through training (using positive re-enforcement), habituation and socialisation of animals
- Describe appropriate methods for the assessment of the welfare of animals with respect to the severity of procedures and know what appropriate action to take.
- Recognise that refinement is an on-going process and know where to find relevant, up-to- date, information.
9
Motivational skills for First Line Managers
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate theories of engagement and motivation strategiesCritically appraise different approaches used to engage and motivate individuals and teams
- Apply strategies to increase and maintain standards of motivation and engagement of individuals and teams in the workplace
- Discuss causes of dissatisfaction and demotivation
- Describe common causes of disengagement and demotivation in the workplace
- Discuss strategies to minimise or reverse causes of disengagement and demotivation in the workplace
- Plan and manage a motivation and engagement training programme.Effectively set up and manage a team motivation and engagement training programme.
- Develop and participate in effective team building exercises.
- Recognise the benefits of introducing a reward system to motivate
- Measure and evaluate the success of engagement and motivational programmes
- Identify methods to measure performance (quantitative and qualitative) and engagement
- Evaluate the reliability of different measures
- Review results and evaluate the success of a programme
10
Principles of surgery
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the planning of surgical procedures and discuss the competencies required of all personnel involved
- Describe the relevance and need for pre-operative assessment and, where appropriate, conditioning
- Describe particular aspects of care appropriate for animals before, during and after surgical or any other potentially painful intervention
- Describe common post-surgical complications and their causes
- Discuss possible causes of delayed or impaired wound healing or other post-surgical complications and describe ways in which these can be avoided or, if they occur, treated
- Describe the process of tissue healing and relate to this to the importance of asepsis and hygienic practices, wound creation, the principles of tissue handling and selection of a suitable surgical approach
- Describe in general terms how personnel, animals, instruments and equipment should be prepared for aseptic surgeryList the principles of successful surgery (e.g. Halstead’s principles) and indicate how to achieve theseRelate the importance of good technique in accessing surgical sites, handling tissues and repairing incisions
- Demonstrate competence in surgical techniques, including ablations and incisions and their closure by methods appropriate to the tissue concerned
- Describe the characteristics of different, commonly-used instruments, suture materials and needles Indicate the characteristics of different suture patterns and their applicability to different situations
- Demonstrate how to place a suture correctly
11
Recognition of pain, suffering and distress
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe methods for assessing and recording the welfare of the animals in their care
- Recognise normal appearance and behaviour of animals as well as desirable behaviour and signs of positive well-being.
- Recognise abnormal appearance and behaviour and signs of discomfort, pain, suffering, or distress, together with the principles of how pain, suffering and distress can be managed
- Discuss factors to be considered and methods available for assessing and recording the welfare of animals e.g. score sheets.
- Discuss humane end points and their use
- Describe what a humane end point is.
- Identify criteria to be used to set humane endpoints. Define action to be taken when a humane endpoint is reached and consider possible options for refining methods to finish at an earlier endpoint
- Describe the severity limits set out in ASPA and give examples of each category
- explain cumulative severity and the effect this may have on the severity classification
- Describe the use of anaesthesia or analgesia to reduce animal pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm
- Describe the circumstances when anaesthesia or analgesia may be necessary to minimise pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 610/2723/6
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- IAT
- Qualification Type
- Vocationally-Related Qualification
- Operational Start
- Sept 2023
- Operational End
- Sept 2028