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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to manage greyhound health and welfare. Workplaces include kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Health and emergency care protocols and programs may include:
advice to other organisations related to disease control or other issues as required by rules and regulations
advice to stewards of greyhound health or injury status
greyhound management:
routine health checks
equipment and gear cleanliness
handling and monitoring greyhounds
husbandry practices
hazard identification
maintaining first aid and treatments stores
monitoring seasonal status of bitches
notifiable diseases
permissible treatments
record keeping for personal use and rules of racing compliance
vaccine and parasite control programs
veterinary or specialist advice and assistance
kennel and yard cleanliness
risk control measures:
controlling insects or rodents
disinfection and hygiene measures
emergency care procedures
faeces and waste disposal
fire drills
health programs
isolation or quarantine of sick or new greyhounds
monitoring movement of greyhounds
staff management:
access to and administration of treatments
communication procedures
emergency drills.
Suitable and approved premises will require:
access to and exit from kennels that can accommodate emergency situations
accommodation suitable for a mix of sexes to cater for dominant and submissive behaviours
all areas free from sharp or dangerous protrusions
kennels of appropriate size, sited according to prevalent climatic conditions and adequately ventilated
kennel size, construction materials and security comply with industry standards and rules of racing.
Rules of racing and other regulations may include:
Australian rules of racing and local rules of racing of the state or territory regulatory racing body, including kennel establishment:
building structure and maintenance
cleanliness and hygiene
husbandry practices
security
local government regulations, for example:
buildings
disposal of faeces and waste
noise pollution
national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare, including:
operation of dog training establishments
operation of breeding and rearing establishments
OHS legislation and regulations
race club and training track regulations.
Health status of individual greyhounds is assessed:
by observing changes in normal behaviour or performance
during daily and routine health checks
prior to and after travelling or racing
upon first entering kennels
when parasite presence, illness or injury is suspected.
Infectious diseases may include:
canine coronavirus
canine distemper
canine influenza
canine parvovirus
hepatitis
herpes virus
hydatid infection
kennel cough
leptospirosis
myocarditis
rabies.
Vaccination programs will include:
adherence to regulations relating to interstate or overseas travel
ensuring scheduled vaccinations are administered, including vaccines determined by the racing regulatory authority that may include:
distemper
hepatitis
parvovirus.
Parasite control programs will include:
scheduled regular inspections
identification indicators and conditions related to presence of internal or external parasites
management procedures for internal or external parasites, including:
accurate measurement of dosages
administering topical washes to manufacturer specifications
kennel cleaning and disinfection procedures to prevent transmission of external parasites from animal to animal
meeting and maintaining regulations related to use of pharmaceutical substances
using drenches or worming medications to manufacturer specifications or veterinary instructions
relating treatment to climatic and local conditions that may attract parasite infestation.
Health records information will include:
dates and times of:
application of treatments, including parasite control treatments
arrival at kennels
assessing vital signs
illness or injury incidence
vaccinations
features of greyhound identification
name of greyhound
name of person administering treatment
prescribed treatments administered
treatment instructions
vital signs at rest
weight of greyhound.
Need for veterinary assistance may include:
greyhound may:
be insured
have to be treated with racing competition prohibited substance
have to be withdrawn from competition
require prescription medication
require stitching or specialist injury management or treatment
illness may be:
contagious condition
notifiable disease
passed on to humans
illness or injury may be:
life threatening or have consequences to ongoing career of greyhound
the result of neglect or non-compliance with duty of care.
Treatment options may include:
acupuncture
chiropractic
exercise, for example walking or swimming
hydrotherapy
ice and heat
laser
massage
pharmaceutical
rest
ultrasound.
Medication and treatments may include:
applying bandages
balms or poultice treatment
medications that must adhere to animal welfare guidelines and the rules of racing, including:
inhalants
injectable medications
oral medications
topical medications.

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.
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 and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that apply to managing greyhound health and welfare
delegating duties related to the care and management of greyhound health according to experience and level of responsibility
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient administration of greyhound health and welfare requirements
working with others to undertake and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.
Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.
The following resources must be available:
a variety of greyhounds
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to manage greyhound health and welfare
safe handling areas, such as commercial kennels, and training and racetracks
work instructions and related documentation.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.
The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.
Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:
RGRCMN401A Maintain and monitor OHS procedures and environmental work practices
RGRPSG303A Determine nutritional requirements for racing greyhounds
RGRPSG401A Relate anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of greyhounds.
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).