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.
Statutory and local authority requirements may include:
local government requirements for registration subsidies
microchipping processes
specified types of animals, such as dangerous dogs or restricted breed dogs and/or cats
technology used.
Location for conducting the microchipping procedure should take into consideration:
the species, for example:
locations for cats should be enclosed and escape-proof with minimal damageable equipment.
Likely species behaviour that may be encountered my include:
animals exhibiting aggressive behaviour
animals exhibiting anxious or fearful behaviour
flight of the animal
loss of control.
Supervisory Veterinarian is required to be:
a registered veterinarian who is an authorised implanter with whom you have a prior agreement to attend the animal being microchipped, if necessary.
Implantation equipment includes:
only approved microchips that meet current legislative requirements and comply with AS 5018 :2001 Electronic animal identification - National coding scheme and AS 5019:2001 Electronic animal identification - Radiofrequency methods and disposable implantation needles may be used.
First aid equipment may include:
antiseptic and saline solutions
adhesive strips
sterile bandages and dressings.
Electronic reader required for the procedure means:
a scanner capable of detecting and decoding approved microchip information
approved multiple frequency scanners that scan for FDXA and FDXB only may be used
familiarity with multi-frequency scanners is required to scan chips from various manufacturers that respond to varying frequencies from 125 kHz non-encrypted and 128 kHz devices.
Microchip means:
a Permanent Identification Device (PID) which:
is able to be permanently implanted in an animal
is designed to transmit stored information when activated by a reader
complies with the requirements of AS 5019:2001 Electronic animal identification - Radiofrequency methods
contains a unique identification number that:
complies with AS 5018:2001 Electronic animal identification - National coding scheme
the first 6 digits displayed are the manufacturers code for the device as set by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR)
any permanent identification device (microchip) implanted before May 2003 that uniquely identifies the animal.
Prescribed identifying information may include:
details required in accordance with relevant legislative requirements:
owner and animal residential and location details and signature
local government details
microchip details
implanter name, contact details, signature and
registration number, where applicable.
Protective equipment may include:
use of Kelvar sleeves to protect implanter.
Signs of ill health which should be referred to veterinary practitioner may include:
apparent pain
bleeding or swelling of body parts
bloating of abdomen
diarrhoea, especially if bloodstained
difficulty or inability to urinate or defecate
fits or staggering
inability to stand or walk
inappetence
lameness
red or brown coloured urine
repeated sneezing or coughing
runny nose
runny or inflamed eyes
vomiting
weight loss.
Animal restraint devices required for the procedure may include:
cat restraining bags
collars and leads
muzzles.

Note: excludes chemical restraint.
Scanned according to legislative and industry practice means:
ensuring that the microchip reader is functioning properly by running it across a reference microchip at a distance of 50-100 mm from the scanner and at a sweep speed of 0.5 m/s
scanning the animal thoroughly to check its microchip status with an operating reader held just above the hairline of the animal
this should be done at a distance of no more than 50 mm
ensuring the animal is properly scanned
two slow sweeps along the long axis from head to mid-back, and two sweeps over the shoulders from elbow to elbow at a distance of not more than 50 mm from the body and a speed of 0.5 m/s is recommended
ensuring a slow, even pace (0.5 m/s) is employed in scanning
continue scanning if a microchip is found as the animal must be thoroughly scanned to ensure that all microchips are detected (in case there is more than one).

Please note: Where two different readers are being used, scanning operations need to be repeated for each reader.
Industry and legislatively approved procedure for previously implanted microchips means:
in situations where an implanter is approached to scan an animal to check for a microchip, or find a microchip where registration records do not match, the procedure to be followed includes:
notify the registry to ascertain the current owner details
inform this person that proof of the change of ownership involving notification and consent of the previous owner will need to be provided before the animal can be entered into the registry under their name
the implanter must contact the appropriate registry to flag the ownership issue with them and provide the registry with the details of the person presenting the animal
ownership disputes are a civil matter and people should be advised to seek legal advice and/or representation

Note: It is the responsibility of the person presenting the animal to provide adequate proof of ownership.
Abnormalities likely to be encountered at implantation site includes:
injuries
rashes
swellings
ulcers.
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.
Maintaining asepsis during procedure may include:
ensuring:
needles or microchip are not contaminated
there is no damage to sterile packs prior to use.
Recommended angle for insertion of the needle means:
needle should be directed at an angle of 30-45 degrees to the skin plane, bevel side up, to minimise emergence of needle from the skin.
Needle inspected means:
inspect needle to ensure the microchip has been injected into the animal.
Procedures to ensure microchip does not come out may include:
application of tissue glue
applying digital pressure wearing gloves to protect both the animal and the operator, followed by inspection and light coat brushing to ensure the device in not lodged in the coat.
Injuries sustained to humans during procedure may include:
back injuries
bites
fainting
muscle tears
needle stick injuries
scratches.
Post-implantation advice which should be provided to the owner includes:
limitations on exercise
limiting site palpation after procedure is performed
restriction from bathing and swimming for recommended period
procedures to be followed in the event of possible complications.
Signs of adverse reactions may include:
haemorrhage
infection
redness, heat, pain and swelling at the implantation site
seizures
shock
subcutaneous lumps.
Relevant animal registry service means:
an animal registry licensed in the relevant state or territory, example registries include:
Australasian Animal Registry (AAR)
Central Animal Records (CAR)
National Pet Register (NPR)
PetSafe Registry.

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:
comply with statutory and local authority requirements associated with identification of companion animals and the responsibilities and obligations of accredited animal identifiers
prepare documentation and geographic location for microchip implantation of a cat or dog
prepare all equipment required to perform the microchip procedures
explain procedures to owner and obtain necessary consents and permissions
take details of animal's history, visually assess health of the animal and refer the animal to a veterinarian where necessary
implant microchip in cat or dog following correct procedures and with consideration of OHS and welfare issues
provide owner with post-procedure instructions
complete and lodge legislated documentation.

The skills and knowledge required to implant microchip in cats and dogs 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 must be under the direct supervision of a registered veterinarian practitioner, who is an authorised implanter, in an actual workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on at least fifteen (15) occasions, including a minimum of five (5) cats and five (5) dogs of a range of breeds, ages and sizes.

There must be access a range of dogs and cats as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

The animals are to be restrained manually without the use of sedative or anaesthetics. The microchip implantation of a cat or dog must be postponed if there have been two unsuccessful attempts on the one animal during the one day or in accordance with the relevant state or territory legislation.

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).