Elements and Performance Criteria

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

What is meant by the general health and temperament of the animal?
An animal's general health and temperament may include existing medical conditions, current medications, diet, previous grooming experience, preferred restraint, habits and behavioural traits.

What may be included in PPE?
Personal protective clothing and equipment may include gloves, hairnets, heavy-duty rubber soled shoes, aprons and ear and face protection.

What are examples of possible risks?
Risks associated with animals include zoonoses and bites, scratches, wounds, kicks and crushes associated with animal handling; and those risks associated with lifting and moving animals.

What type of OHS and animal welfare requirements would be relevant in this context?
Animal care for companion animals has a range of associated risks from bites, kicks or scratches. All duties should reflect an awareness of and a respect for these risks.
The handling of chemicals and treatments requires extra care to ensure safe work practices are maintained.
Safe work practices should be used when packaging and handling loads, including animals and equipment. Appropriate safe handling techniques for the task are used to reduce muscle load on exertion.
Some companion animal facilities may expose personnel to risks such as zoonoses, release of infective agents (both animal and human) and chemical or drug spillage. Procedures to reduce the spread of disease may include incident reporting, cleaning, the removal of waste and spillage, the containment or elimination of risk, the use of personal protective clothing and equipment and seeking advice from supervisors.
Animal welfare considerations include the animal being free from thirst, hunger, discomfort, pain, injury, fear and distress.

What is involved in pre-bathing procedures?
Pre-bathing procedures will depend on the animal, its condition and the client's needs and may include plucking and cleaning ears, trimming toenails and preparing anal and eye areas.

What steps are involved in bathing procedures?
Bathing procedures for mobile hydro-bathing services may include the following steps:
thoroughly wetting the animal using the appropriate water temperature
selecting and using an appropriate shampoo and massaging it well into the coat (this may require the use of a bathing mitt to loosen dirt)
rinsing the animal thoroughly and repeating shampooing and rinsing steps if required
selecting and using an appropriate conditioning treatment, massaging it well into the coat and then rinsing thoroughly
removing excess water and drying the animal using a chamois, towel or dryer.

What may be included in organisational grooming procedures?
Organisational grooming procedures may include brushing, combing, coat clipping, de-matting, ear and eye area cleaning, nail trimming, coat reduction techniques, bathing, drying and styling.

Which grooming techniques may be applied?
Grooming techniques may include brushing, clipping, styling, thinning, cutting, shaving and pattern trimming.

Which additional grooming services may be relevant?
Additional grooming services may include nail trimming, ear and eye cleaning, teeth cleaning, cleaning of anal glands, brushing, blow-drying and styling the coat.

What type of waste material may be relevant?
Waste material may include hair, nails, bath water, faeces, empty containers, chemicals, shampoos, conditioners, disposable gloves and washing and drying cloths.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?
The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

communicate effectively with clients
assess the condition and grooming requirements of different species or breeds of companion animals
apply grooming methods and procedures
handle correctly and groom different species or breeds of companion animals
identify risks related to OHS
be empathetic to animals' welfare needs
use and maintain grooming equipment correctly.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and hygiene standards
relevant legislation and industry codes of practice
working knowledge of companion animal biology
normal and abnormal animal behaviour
transmission of diseases between animals
signs and processes of disease development
signs and symptoms of disease and parasitic infections
signs of abnormalities and health concerns in animals
basic animal first aid
industry-recognised grooming patterns and styles
organisational record-keeping requirements
use and maintenance of a range of grooming equipment.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include:

ability to operate and maintain grooming equipment
ability to apply a range of grooming techniques
ability to apply various treatments
ability to dispose of waste in accordance with health, safety and legislative requirements
ability to use and maintain a range of grooming equipment
ability to maintain accurate records
literacy skills to read, select and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and infection control procedures; and record details and information accurately and legibly
interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening and asking for clarification
numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations and measure volumes
problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate grooming workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and / or resources normally used in grooming workplaces
a range of companion animal species and breeds and their owners
grooming equipment
organisational grooming policies and procedures, including grooming patterns and styles
organisational and waste disposal procedures
record systems.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and, where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a companion animal workplace that offers grooming services, or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access in either situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency
RUV4510A Provide companion animal hydro-bathing services

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 unit of competency. 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
By communicating with clients in respect to their animals' grooming needs. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By questioning clients and recording their responses. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By planning grooming programs that will meet clients' expectations and protects the animals' welfare. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By working with others to reach agreed outcomes. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By calculating the volume of water for bathing and appropriate amounts of cleansing agents. (1)

Solving problems
By analysing animals' behaviour and implementing grooming programs that ensure the safety of oneself and the animals. (3)

Using technology
By recording clients' details on an electronic database. (2)