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.
Animal care industry sectors may include:
animal technology, including biomedical research
animal control and regulation
captive animals
companion animal services
veterinary practices.
Functionality within each animal care industry sector may include:
services available in each sector
relationships between sectors and other industries
industry work conditions
legislation that affects the industry
industrial relations and employment terms and conditions
career opportunities within the industry
appropriate industry work ethic and quality assurance standards.
Conduct and presentation that may be relevant include:
conduct:
safe behaviour when completing work tasks
punctuality and courtesy
cooperating with others
following instructions
presentation:
personal and workplace hygiene
wearing personal protective clothing.
Animal welfare requirements may include:
adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels
compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations and international conventions
enrichment opportunities
the absence of pests and vermin
the compatibility of species and breeds.

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 competency 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:
identify the range of workplaces and employment opportunities in animal care
determine the structure and scope of animal care industries
identify the range of job functions and working conditions, including conduct and presentation standards, required in animal care
evaluate employment opportunities in animal care
develop draft resume and job application.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit will be assessed in an animal care context with access to 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 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.

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
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).