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 perform kennel duties. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Racing kennel operations may include:
cleaning drains
cleaning waterers, dishes and bowls
cleaning grooming equipment
grooming and washing greyhounds
following instructions regarding the order of operations
hosing, sweeping and cleaning kennels, runs and environments
identifying and adapting to changes to routine when greyhounds are racing or trialling
moving greyhounds from kennels to runs
operating walking machines
preparing and providing feed and water
replacing bedding
removing faeces and soiled or wet bedding.
Kennel environment may include:
kennels
runs
walking, exercise and training areas
walking machines
yards.
Hazards in the workplace may include:
chemicals
disease transfer between greyhounds and people
heavy loads, for example bags of feed
greyhounds
machinery and equipment
other people
unsafe work practices.
Feed and water preparation will include:
applying rules of cleanliness and hygiene
feed additives, including:
appetite stimulants
bicarbonate of soda
Epsom salts
electrolytes
minerals
rehydration agents
vitamins
identifying feed ingredients and preparing feeds according to trainer instructions
providing correct mix and quantity of feed to individual greyhounds according to trainer instructions
identifying, removing and reporting contaminated feed
understanding consequences of incorrect use of additives, such as:
accidental introduction of banned substances through use of additives and combinations of additives
causing toxic reactions due to imbalance of insoluble vitamins, trace elements and other items
causing illness due to not feeding or administering medication according to greyhound specific metabolic features
some additives alkalising the blood level in greyhounds (total carbon dioxide [TCO2] level) and alkalising agents include:
bicarbonates
lactates and citrates
wasting money by overfeeding soluble vitamins or other feed items that cannot be absorbed or stored.
Feed may be contaminated due to:
mould or water damage
rodent, insect or other spoilage.
Greyhounds may be groomed:
depending upon individual kennel routine and climate, including:
brushing body
washing, including:
hosing
controlling greyhounds during bathing
preparing bath and testing water temperature
operating hydro bath equipment
towelling greyhound and keeping warm
checking legs for injury or swelling
removing mud or dirt
cleansing nostrils and eyes
specific grooming related to preparing greyhound for presentation at race meetings.
Illness or injury greyhounds may suffer include:
abrasions, cuts or wounds
colic
coughs or colds
heat in limbs
heat stress
lameness
tendon or ligament strains or sprains
viruses.

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 kennel duties related to the care and maintenance of racing greyhounds
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient performance of kennel and grooming duties
working with others to undertake and complete kennel 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 perform kennel duties
safe handling areas, such as commercial kennels
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:
RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices.
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).