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.
Interpersonal skills may include:
having regard for personal space considerations
listening and responding appropriately to what customers are communicating
providing an opportunity for customers to confirm their requests
questioning and seeking feedback from customers to confirm understanding of needs
summarising and paraphrasing to check understanding of customers' messages
using appropriate vocal tone and body language.
Customer information needs may relate to:
products and services available
the customers' specific job requirements and specifications
the need for specialised or technical assistance.
Personal and professional limitations may include:
lack of knowledge in regard to specific products and product applications
lack of skills in handling difficult customers and in accessing and providing information
organisational policies and procedures
OHS and other legal considerations.
Information customers might require may be related to:
a specific companion animal
companion animal housing or nutrition requirements
correct usage, installation or limitations of equipment
customer and organisational responsibilities
personal protective equipment requirements
products or services offered
service and maintenance requirements of equipment (e.g. replacement of parts)
warranties.
Presentation of animals, products and services may include:
an adequate supply of brochures, price lists and products are available
ensuring animal housing is clean and hygienic
operational displays are functioning correctly
using safe handling and usage techniques.

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:
represent the organisation in a professional manner
understand and respond to customers' requests for information
communicate effectively with customers and staff members
seek assistance from other staff members when an enquiry falls outside one's scope of knowledge or responsibility.

The skills and knowledge required to provide information on companion animals, products and services 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 be most appropriately assessed in a companion animal workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include pet shops, aquariums, boarding kennels or catteries, aviaries, companion animal training or grooming establishments or veterinary practices.

There must be accessto a range of products and types of services as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

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 where possible, 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).