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.
Industry information may include:
services available in each sector:
animal technology, including biomedical research
animal control and regulation
captive animals
companion animal services
veterinary practices
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 ethics
industry quality assurance standards.
Policies and procedures may include:
animal welfare, including ethical use of animals for scientific or teaching purposes
environmental sustainability practices
infection control plans
quality assurance systems
standard operating procedures.
OHS risks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, envenomation, 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)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Range of animals may include:
animals commonly encountered within the industry workplace and may cover both native and introduced species.
Identifiable animal characteristics 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
movement and behaviour of animals.
Work routines may include:
assisting others in completion of tasks within limits of current level of competence
catching and handling animals under supervision
checking animals for signs of distress, illness and injury
checking security and repair of animal housing, equipment and general facility
cleaning and grooming animals under supervision
cleaning and preparation of animal cages, enclosures, exhibits, displays, general work areas, office, reception and customer service areas
confirming all animals are in their cages or enclosures
documenting work tasks in accordance with workplace procedures
operating general equipment used to complete workplace cleaning routines
picking up rubbish, removing branches or other unsightly items not part of exhibit or animal housing
reporting animal health concerns to supervisor
stocktaking and re-supply of items
timeframes for completing tasks.
Hygiene protocols may include:
appropriate reprocessing of reusable equipment
aseptic technique
housing and work area cleaning and disinfecting standards
personal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands before and after animal contact and/or any activity likely to cause cross-contamination
safe handling and disposal of sharps and other clinical, related and general waste
surface cleaning and management of blood and bodily fluid spills
use of personal protective clothing and equipment and change as appropriate for the intended use.
Security protocols may include:
checking for pests within animal housing or enclosures
checking there are no unauthorised people in animal enclosures
checking that locks and slides are in good working order
ensuring animals are safe and secure in their housing
ensuring medications and treatments are stored in accordance with legislative requirements
identifying any animal housing faults that may result in escape
maintaining structures in good order.

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:
conduct animal care work practices with consideration to animal needs in an ethical and humane manner
comply with relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, including animal welfare and OHS legislation
communicate effectively with supervisor and other staff using industry related terminology and follow task instructions to complete work activities.

The skills and knowledge required to work in the animal care industry 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 ananimal care workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries, aviaries, companion animal training, grooming establishments, animal shelters, zoos, mobile animal facilities, veterinary practices.

There must be access to a range of animals 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
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).