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 terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates may include:
crickets
freshwater lobsters, shrimp and snails
giant cockroaches
large spiders (e.g. tarantulas)
beetles (e.g. rhinoceros)
stick insects (e.g. goliath and titan)
scorpions.
Behavioural characteristics may include:
behaviour characteristics can vary according to:
the species, breed, developmental stage 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 behaviours
fight or flight
social interaction
reproductive behaviours
the other animals in that environment
defensive behaviour:
defending territory, other animals or food
hiding or retreating.
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include:
developmental stage, sex and size
skin or shell colours and texture
markings and patterns
tags.
Indicators of poor water quality may include:
colour
odour
unsuitable water chemistry parameters.
Water quality adjustments may involve:
correcting chemical imbalances
partial water change
raising or lowering pH or hardness.
Indicators of animal comfort and normal behaviour may be identified by:
daily observation and visual examination is the best way to establish the appearance of a healthy invertebrate and at the same time allows detection of changes from normal. These observations will include:
posture and attitude
activity level
response to stimuli including handling
assessment of body condition
assessment of state of hydration
appetite and dietary history
presence of external organisms.
Housing design and environmental factors may include:
environmental:
aeration rates and supply
biological control of waste
cleaning routines and methods
correct humidity levels
day/night cycle lighting
drainage and weather protection
electrical safety
escape proofing
filtration requirements to maintain the water quality and optimal environmental conditions for target species
housing furniture and compatible plants
lighting, ventilation, temperature, heating and cooling requirements
water flows and currents
housing requirements:
compatibility of species housed together
food and water distribution
location and security considerations
longevity and sturdiness of materials
maintains ambient temperature conditions for the specific species
provides continuous access to water free of ammonia or chlorine
provides generous ventilation and is safe from fumes and vapours:
insecticides
cleaning agents
required floor area, vertical and/or horizontal space for specific species
suitability for specific species
species-specific options for animals to hide or rest
substrate appropriate to the specific species
designs that allow for species-specific activity, feeding or socialising
social options:
solitary
pairs
single sexed groups
polyandrous/polygynous groups
mixed species.
Enrichment needs may include:
food or food-related enrichment
physical enrichment items:
plants and foliage
retreats
rocks or artificial rocks
social enrichment:
levels of contact with other animals of the same species
mixed species exhibits to encourage positive inter-species interactions.
Welfare of animals requirements may include:
adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels
compliance to appropriate/relevant state or territory legislation and regulations
enrichment opportunities
the absence of predators, pests and vermin
the compatibility of species and breeds.
OHS risks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, envenomation, scratches and crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
electrical hazards enhanced by the presence of water
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.
Equipment to catch and handle invertebrate may include:
equipment:
isolation tanks or enclosures
plastic bags
soft gloves
soft knotless hand nets
traps
handling of invertebrates should:
always be minimised as excessive handling could result in stress or injury
be undertaken slowly and gently
undertaken with care as many invertebrates are venomous and some can make humans or other animals sick or die.
Common health issues may include:
environmental hazards:
contamination of the water due to presence of toxins
exposures of extremes of water quality
exposure to the elements
humidity and ventilation
inadequate activity
temperature extremes
infectious diseases caused by:
bacteria, virus, fungus and protozoa
internal and external parasites
non-infection diseases:
nutritional imbalances and disruptions
metabolic
neoplastic
physical traumas
chemical toxicities and allergies
zoonotic diseases.
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include:
routine health check-up
control of parasites
temperature, humidity, heat and light requirements for specific species
quarantine and isolation procedures
water quality.
Digestive system features may include:
anatomical features relevant to the specific species
physiological features:
eating processes
nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods
waste elimination
feeding patterns and natural dietary requirements for the species
potential digestive system malfunctions or problems
water needs.
Food source considerations include:
captive diets must be similar to the natural diet of the species to:
minimise the impact of captivity
stimulate normal digestive function
maximise development of natural survival techniques
food sources will vary widely subject to the specific species.
Feeding hazards 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
possibility of zoonotic infection.
Documentation on the care and management of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates may include:
accident and incident records
chemical and veterinary supplies register
detailed and accurate records for each animal (or group of animals):
species and sex of animal
identification and history
feeding, health and treatment records
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
water chemistry and quality records
water change frequencies and amounts.

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 terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates and apply these to the best practice industry standard of housing, socialising, feeding and health management
classify and identify invertebrates by developmental stage, sex, condition, colours, markings and other identifying features using industry terminology
safely and humanely catch and handle terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates
assess water quality for suitability for maintained species
report and document treatments, behaviours and other information on individual animals in accordance with animal welfare regulations, industry guidelines and workplace protocols and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates 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 largely 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. Industry sectors can include aquariums, pet shops, zoos, animal technology facilities or similar workplaces.

There must be access in either situation to a range of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. Assessment must cover a minimum of three species including at least one terrestrial and at least one freshwater invertebrate 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 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).