Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What animals may be relevant to this standard?
This may include sheep, goats, pigs, horses, poultry, and beef and dairy cattle.

What practices can influence diseases?
Disease may be influenced by management practices such as hygiene control and status, and control strategies can vary between organisations.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, Material Safety Data Sheets, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and reporting procedures.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
animal handling systems and procedure including zoonoses control
manual handling including lifting and carrying
outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation
the use and handling of veterinary chemicals
the use of personal protective equipment.

What personal protective clothing and equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What forms may vaccination include?
Vaccination is carried out by several methods depending on the disease, including injection, water, spraying and stabbing.

How must vaccines be stored?
Vaccine types change and have critical storage requirements if potency is to be assured. In addition, it should be noted that vaccine schedules are critical in preventing uncontrolled outbreaks.

What animals may be relevant to this standard?
This may include sheep, goats, pigs, horses, poultry, and beef and dairy cattle.

What practices can influence diseases?
Disease may be influenced by management practices such as hygiene control and status, and control strategies can vary between organisations.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, Material Safety Data Sheets, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and reporting procedures.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
animal handling systems and procedure including zoonoses control
manual handling including lifting and carrying
outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation
the use and handling of veterinary chemicals
the use of personal protective equipment.

What personal protective clothing and equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What forms may vaccination include?
Vaccination is carried out by several methods depending on the disease, including injection, water, spraying and stabbing.

How must vaccines be stored?
Vaccine types change and have critical storage requirements if potency is to be assured. In addition, it should be noted that vaccine schedules are critical in preventing uncontrolled outbreaks.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires evidence of the ability to co-ordinate staff, equipment and resources to supervise animal health programs within budgetary constraints. It also requires the ability to determine animals health issues, prepare and implement a work plan, maintain effective communication strategies including the conduct of detailed staff briefings with regard to tasks and safety issues, monitor the health and well-being of animals, and maintain accurate data records. Evidence must be demonstrated in the implementation of safe workplace and positive environmental practices.
The skills and knowledge required to mark animals must be transferable to a different work environment. For example this may include different health issues for different types, breeds or age groups of animals within an enterprise.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

storage conditions for a range of chemicals including veterinary chemicals
the types of vaccines and how they work
zoonotic diseases and mode of transmission
animal anatomy and physiology for post-mortems, and the collection of tissue, organ and blood samples
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the organisation including biosecurity
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours, and debris from the livestock operations
relevant legislation and regulations relating to waste and environment management, and animal health
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

detect possibility of disease through parameters such as behaviour or length of time required to eat food
recognise clinical symptoms (normal vs. abnormal)
recognise abnormal physiological and behavioural signs in livestock
undertake post-mortems and collect tissue, organ and blood samples
administer vaccines and medications to animals
recognise abnormal behavioural signs
maintain accurate data documentation
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents
communicate effectively with staff, contractors and suppliers
document and prepare written plans and reports for the understanding of staff and management.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

storage conditions for a range of chemicals including veterinary chemicals
the types of vaccines and how they work
zoonotic diseases and mode of transmission
animal anatomy and physiology for post-mortems, and the collection of tissue, organ and blood samples
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the organisation including biosecurity
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours, and debris from the livestock operations
relevant legislation and regulations relating to waste and environment management, and animal health
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

detect possibility of disease through parameters such as behaviour or length of time required to eat food
recognise clinical symptoms (normal vs. abnormal)
recognise abnormal physiological and behavioural signs in livestock
undertake post-mortems and collect tissue, organ and blood samples
administer vaccines and medications to animals
recognise abnormal behavioural signs
maintain accurate data documentation
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents
communicate effectively with staff, contractors and suppliers
document and prepare written plans and reports for the understanding of staff and management.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to the scheduling of animal health operations may be communicated to other property personnel. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to the scheduling of animal health operations may be communicated to other property personnel. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Details of animals' health, including details of administered treatments may be detailed and organised by reports for future reference. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Details of animals' health, including details of administered treatments may be detailed and organised by reports for future reference. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Arrangements for the delivery of equipment, materials and health treatments may be planned and organised with the marking team. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Arrangements for the delivery of equipment, materials and health treatments may be planned and organised with the marking team. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to complete marking operations within timeframes and deadlines. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to complete marking operations within timeframes and deadlines. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used to calculate volume and percentages. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used to calculate volume and percentages. (2)

Solving problems
Problems of animals' health may be resolved with appropriate settling time post-treatment prior to movement. (2)

Solving problems
Problems of animals' health may be resolved with appropriate settling time post-treatment prior to movement. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be used to source and communicate information. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be used to source and communicate information. (2)