Purpose statement:
The SLP will provide the theoretical underpinning of jurisprudence as it relates to the job of the laboratory animal technologists and equip students completing the SLP with requisite knowledge of pharmacology to enable them to perform the basic functions related to pharmacology as a LATs in South Africa. The SLP will also provide the practical experience as relates to the job of the LAT.
Completion of this SLP, is part of the requirements for registration with the SAVC as a para-veterinary professional of LAT. However, candidates can only qualify to write the SAVC Board Examination so as register to practice as a LAT, if they have completed the Level 3 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Husbandry offered by the IAT (UK), in addition to the UNISA SLP (Programme in Laboratory Animal Technology Practice).
Modules:
PLATP01 - Laboratory Animal Technology Practice I - Logbook (WIL)
Content:
Maintain biosecurity, health, safety and security.
Handle, move and restrain animal
Dispatch, transport and receipt of animals.
Care, animal husbandry and hygiene of Laboratory Animal
Monitor and maintain the health and welfare of laboratory animals
Monitor the maintenance and calibration of equipment
Develop standard operating procedure (SOP) and a "controlled document" (DOC) for use to collect raw data
Application of the Occupation health and safety Act at the workplace
Conducting risk analysis for various scenarios at the workplace.
PLATP02 - Laboratory Animal Technology Practice II - Logbook (WIL)
Content:
Management and care of Laboratory animals, Management and care of Laboratory animal breeding and a colony, Preparation of the environment for laboratory animals for the appropriate animal procedures , Preparation of laboratory animals for the relevant procedures, Perform various clinical procedures on laboratory animals, Perform breeding calculations to produce the required number of animals of the correct sex needed for the study, Management of a study and write a report on the animal phase and Management of a laboratory animal facility and associated documents.
PLATP03 - Pharmacology: Laboratory Animal Technology
Content:
Pharmacology: Introduction to pharmacology: definition of medication, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs, routes of drug administration (oral and parenteral), factors influencing the above mentioned, withdrawal period; medications used in animals, handling and storage of drugs; knowledge of: antibiotics, antibacterials, hormones, antihistamines, vitamins, counterirritants, emollients, vaccines, antisera, fungicides, insecticides, anthelminthics, disinfectants, immobilizations, anaesthetics, antidotes and antiseptics.
PLATP04 - Jurisprudence - Laboratory Animal Technology
Content:
Identify the relevant Acts that relate to laboratory animal. Explain how animal breeding, wellbeing, care and use for scientific purposes is regulated in South Africa, including legal requirements and any national and/or minimum housing standards that exist. Describe how the profession of a laboratory animal technologist and the management of a research animal facilities are regulated.
