Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

diseases that may affect animals, fish and other marine animals including:
disease that is exotic to Australia
serious infectious disease of unknown or uncertain cause
severe outbreak of a known endemic disease that is considered to be of national significance with serious social or trade implications
variant of an endemic disease
species, biotype or strain of invertebrate pest or pathogen injurious to plants or plant health.

Information covered in
stipulations relating to standards, protocols and specific IP site requirements, and may cover:
administration
collection of biological samples
decontamination
destruction of livestock or crop
disposal of carcasses and infectious material
gate control
inventory and valuation
mapping of location of affected plants or crops
pest control
team leader duties
wild animal control.

containment of livestock or crop and other materials
decontamination and disinfection of premises, equipment and staff leaving premises
destruction and slaughter
disposal of livestock or crop and other materials
gate control
pest control
sample collection
use of chemicals
vaccination and treatment
wild animal control.

administration of treatments and vaccinations
animal handling and use of approved restraints where required
correct techniques for manual handling
policies relating to livestock or crop destruction and disposal
procedures for dealing with risks associated with working in areas where there may be an accumulation of airborne dusts or gases, such as ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide
procedures for dealing with risks that may arise when working in buildings or yards that have been damaged in the course of implementation of control procedures
processes for avoiding needle stick injuries and safe use of biohazard containers for disposal of sharps
safe operation of machinery and equipment, including consideration of layout, buildings, terrain, location and prevailing weather conditions
safe use and handling of chemicals
use of firearms for livestock destruction
use of PPE and clothing.

Relevant
approved standard operating procedures
Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) or Australian Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan (PLANTPLAN) or similar protocols
damage minimisation policies
environmental policies
OHS legislation
relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation.

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
This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

follow instructions
comply with OHS requirements
monitor own performance
observe and report variations from work instructions or standards and protocols.

Context and specific resources for assessment
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed in an emergency disease or plant pest response simulation or in responses to emergency disease outbreak or plant pest incursion.
For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to carry out emergency disease or plant pest control procedures at an IP.

The candidate must also have access to the following resources:

actual or simulated IP
PPE.

Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to carry out emergency disease or plant pest control procedures at an IP must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts, including the ability to deal with unplanned events.