Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Animals may include:
animals commonly encountered within the industry workplace and may cover both native and introduced species
animals from the six major animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates).
Capture methods to be used may include:
calling animal by name and approaching using non-threatening body language
collecting animal from cage or enclosure
holding barriers in place whilst supervisor catches animal
using catching poles, leads, blankets or nets
waiting for supervisor to initially catch animal
working with supervisor to corner animal.
OHSrisks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
handling of chemicals and medicines
gas leakage
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Relevant OHSrequirements may include:
following safe work method statements in the conduct of work tasks
hazard identification and risk minimisation procedures for the handling of animals
hazard identification and risk minimisation procedures for the handling, use, storage, transport and disposal of chemicals
manual handling strategies
procedures for the handling and disposal of biological wastes
use of personal protective clothing and equipment relevant to the task:
animal handling gauntlets
gloves
hearing or eye protection
protective masks
work boots.
Positive identification may include:
checking brands, tattoos or other tagging
checking for microchip and verifying number
checking for response when calling animal by name
comparing colour and markings with records
confirming identification of animal with owner
confirming sex of animal.
Methods used to keep animal restrained may include:
confining animal using a towel or other cloth
holding animal after supervisor has fitted restraints
holding animal ensuring close body contact and ensuring full control over animal's head and limbs
using collar and lead to keep animal still
using hand pressure.
External features and vital signs may include:
external features:
body condition score
coat or skin condition
ear, eye, nose presence or absence of discharge
eye condition and response to light
presence of wounds, lesions, swelling or heat
smell of breath
vital signs:
temperature
pulse
respiration
capillary refill
hydration status.
Equipment and supplies may include:
forceps, scissors and clippers
scales
shampoo and skin treatments
thermometer and stethoscope
vaccines, syringes, needles and sharps disposal container
worming syringe or tube and medications
wound cleaning solution, gauze and topical creams.
Common health maintenance issues may include:
annual health check-up
coat or skin care and condition
contagious diseases
control of parasites
digestive upsets and dietary imbalances
immunisation/vaccinations requirements
injuries
insect control
quarantine of sick animals
species specific ailments.

Post-treatment routines may include:
checking and reporting stock supply quantities
cleaning and disinfecting treatment area
completing required documentation as directed
disposing of sharps and contaminated or used materials
monitoring animal after treatment
preparing equipment for sterilisation
returning animal to owner or enclosure.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
observe animal behaviour to identify potential health problems and in order to determine tactics required to catch animals
assist others in the capture, removal and restraint of animals in accordance with OHS and workplace requirements
identify individual animals, measure their vital signs and conduct a basic visual and external assessment under supervision
assist in the application or administration of treatment
document observations and treatments
clean inspection and treatment areas.

The skills and knowledge required to assist with the health care of animals must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal care workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries, aviaries, companion animal training, grooming establishments, animal shelters, zoos, mobile animal facilities and veterinary practices.

There must be access to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.Assessment must cover a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates).

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).