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.
Commonly available rodents and rabbits may include:
companion animal pets:
guinea pigs
mice
rats
strains and breeds of animals used in research facilities:
guinea pigs
mice
rats
transgenic mice, rats and rabbits.
Behavioural characteristics may include:
behaviour characteristics can vary according to:
environmental conditions due to:
lighting
noise
people
relative humidity
temperature
the breeding season
the species, breed, age and sex of the animals
the time of day or night
behaviour characteristics associated with different species:
activity levels at certain times of day or night
feeding and foraging
fight or flight
social interaction
feeding behaviours
enurination/spraying
defensive behaviour:
barbering
biting
defending territory, other animals or food
hair on topline being raised
posture
lordosis
reproductive behaviour
stereotypical behaviour:
repetitive patterns
self-mutilation
restlessness
submissive gestures:
lowering body
rolling onto back
tail between legs
turning away from handler or other animals.
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include:
age, sex and size
coat or skin colours and texture
eye colour
markings, patterns and permanent scars
toe nail colour
microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands.
Signs of distressed rodents and rabbits may include:
aggressive behaviour
barbering
excessive grooming
ill-thrift
inappetance
posture
'starry coat' (hair on end and in disarray)
subdued behaviour
trembling
vocalisation.
Housing design and environmental factors may include:
environmental:
biological control of waste
cleaning routines and methods
detergent and disinfectant types
drainage and weather protection
general animal housing security
housing furniture
local council requirements related to:
limits to numbers and types of animals allowed
pest control
restricting access to animals
waste management
ventilation, heating and cooling requirements
housing design:
housing options:
barrier maintained
caged
fully enclosed
individually ventilated cages
indoor
metabolism cages
naturalistic
outdoor
housing requirements:
bedding and nesting materials
compatibility of species housed together
food and water distribution
security considerations
longevity and sturdiness of materials
suitability for specific species
species specific options for animals to hide or rest
designs that allow for enrichment activities or species specific feeding or socialising
social options:
solitary
pairs
single sexed groups
polyandrous/polygamous groups
mixed species
temporary pairs
neutered companion pairing.
Enrichment needs may include:
food or food-related enrichment:
giving animals opportunities to forage for food by hiding it in substrates
giving the animal food that requires processing (e.g. peeling or shelling fruit or seeds)
physical enrichment items:
gnawing manipulada
hide boxes, tunnels and ladders
nest building or bedding material:
shredded paper
straw
substrate or wood shavings
non-edible items that can be easily added or removed from the environment, such as toys (e.g. balls, bells, puzzles, mirrors and keyrings)
perches, roosting shelves and nest boxes
social enrichment:
levels of contact with other animals of the same species or breed
social interactions between the animal and the carer may also be appropriate.
Welfare of animals requirements may include:
adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels
compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations, including the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes
disease prevention, control and treatment
enrichment opportunities
the absence of pests and vermin
the compatibility of species and breeds.
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)
scalds and burns from sterilising and cleaning equipment
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain rodents and rabbits may include:
cages, bags and towels
collars and leads
treats and toys.
Methods used to approach and catch rodents and rabbits may include:
calling animal by name
encouraging animal to approach by offering a treat
gently conditioning by repeated positive capture and release programs
quietly approaching animal and gently catching and holder with hands
quietly and gently running animal into a smaller enclosure or bag.
Common health issues may include:
behavioural disorders
environmental hazards:
exposure to the elements
extreme ventilation rates
humidity extremes
inadequate exercise
temperature extremes
infectious diseases caused by:
bacteria, virus, fungus, mould and protozoa
internal and external parasites
non-infection diseases:
nutritional imbalances and disruptions
genetic disorders
metabolic
neoplastic
physical traumas
post operative infections
chemical toxicities and allergies
zoonotic diseases.
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include:
daily observation and record keeping
routine health check-up
control of parasites and protozoa
grooming
immunisation/vaccinations, as required
insect control
prophylactic health programs
quarantine and isolation
routine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination.
Digestive system features may include:
anatomical features:
mouth and teeth structures
salivary glands
digestive chemicals and bacteria
alimentary canal, stomach, liver and pancreas
intestines, rectum and anus
physiological features:
eating processes
nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods
waste elimination
feeding patterns
potential digestive system malfunctions or problems
water needs.
Feeding hazards to animals and humans in food preparation and distribution may include:
animal movement and handling
shelf life of foodstuffs
manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment
contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources
organic and other dusts
excessive noise
possibility of zoonotic infection.
Documentation on the care and management of rodents and rabbits may include:
accident and incident records
Animal Ethics Committee protocols
animal feeding, health and treatment records
animal identification and history
animal production records
animal sale and disposition records
chemical and veterinary supplies register
diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records
equipment use, damage and repair register
OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records
provisions records of current stock and items used and items required
stock control records:
animal stock
supplies and equipment stock.

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:
identify the specific characteristics and needs of rodents and rabbits and apply these to the best practice industry standard of housing, socialising, feeding and health management
classify and identify rodents and rabbits by age, sex, condition, colours, reproductive status, markings and other identifying features using industry terminology
safely and humanely catch, handle and restrain rodents and rabbits
report and document treatments, behaviours and other information on individual rodents and rabbits in accordance with animal welfare legislation and regulations, industry standards and workplace protocols and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of rodents and rabbits 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 most appropriately be assessed against the types of processes required in the industry sector in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include animal shelters, pet shops, zoos and animal technology facilities, veterinary practices or similar workplaces.

There must be access in to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. Assessment must cover a minimum of three commonly available rodent and/or rabbit species.

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 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).