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.
Methods of euthanasia covered by this unit of competency include:
captive bolt
firearm
lethal injection
premedication drugs (e.g. sedation), as well as drugs for euthanasia, are used when appropriate and may include:
barbiturate overdose techniques by intravenous, intraperitoneal or intracardiac injection.
Equipment and materials to conduct euthanasia may include:
captive bolts
clippers
disposal units for used or expendable equipment and materials
drugs
firearms
needles
restraining devices
scales
syringes
syringe pole for distance injections
stainless steel work surfaces
rubber matting or similar non-slip surface.

The use of projectile injection devices is not included in this unit of competency.
OHS risks 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.
Statutory requirements that may impact on the euthanasia of animals may include:
legislation:
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Acts
Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes
Fisheries Acts
Quarantine Acts
Wildlife Acts
local government regulations covering the transport and disposal of hazardous wastes
organisational standard operating procedures.
Records requirements may include:
date, time and operator
animal description (e.g. age, breed/type, sex, colour, coat, size, weight and unique features)
microchip search result
animal history, including the interval held
source location.

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:
select suitable method of euthanasia according to size and number of animals and legislative constraints in consultation with supervisor
select and prepare appropriate equipment and material
follow safe work practices to minimise risks to animals, self and others
euthanase animals in a humane, rapid and appropriate manner and confirm death
dispose of animal carcass and biological waste not required for research or post-mortem purposes, in accordance with legislative requirements
decontaminate, clean and store equipment and materials or dispose of accordingly
access and use management systems to keep and maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to euthanase sick, injured or unwanted pound 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 control and regulation workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to animals to be euthanased and the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

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, cases and responsibilities and 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.

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).