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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to assess health and provide first aid for greyhounds. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Signs of a healthy and fit greyhound may include:
alert and interested in surroundings
clearly defined muscle structure with veins clearly showing
coat condition light and flat
eating up and drinking appropriate quantity of water daily
greyhound standing with weight carried on all four limbs
weight within optimal range relevant to natural body structure and fitness status.
Signs of ill health, injury or distress may include:
excess heat in limbs or isolated areas of body
discolouration of urine
temperature, pulse or respiration outside normal parameters
inappetence
lameness
listlessness
slow skin rebound
swelling
tenderness in body parts.
Specialist may include:
chiropractor
massage therapist
nutritionist
veterinary surgeon.
Reason for referral may include:
greyhound may:
be insured
have to be treated with race day or non-race day prohibited substances
have to be withdrawn from competition
require prescription medication
require stitching or specialist injury management or treatment
illness may be:
contagious condition
notifiable disease
passed on to humans
illness or injury may be:
life threatening or have consequences to ongoing career of greyhound
result of neglect or non-compliance with duty of care.
First aid policies and procedures may include:
administration of treatments
communication processes when greyhounds are treated
disease prevention and control
emergency care
emergency contact details, including veterinarian
permissible treatments
procedure for recording treatments
procedure for reporting and recording vital signs
regular health checks
replenishing supplies of first aid kits, including portable first aid kit
system of referral for injury treatment
staff access to first aid treatments and materials.
Prohibited substances may include:
substances listed below as well as other items defined by racing regulatory authority from time to time, including:
acidifying agents
alkalising agents
analgesics
antihistamines
anti-inflammatory agents
buffering agents
diuretics
general and local anaesthetics
hormones
muscle relaxants
narcotics
respiratory stimulants
sedatives
tranquillisers
vitamins administered by injection.
Basic first aid treatment may include:
applying bandages for:
control of bleeding and swelling
drawing out of foreign bodies or pus
splinting
wound protection
cleaning wounds
managing heat or cold distress
nursing sick, in pain or anxious greyhounds
observing behaviour signs and symptoms of illness and injury
preventing where possible further injury or spread of disease
providing clean, warm or cool shelter out of inclement weather
quarantining sick greyhounds
removing, where possible cause of illness or injury
taking and monitoring vital signs
treating swelling and inflammation
using safe shifting or lifting techniques.
First aid equipment may include:
antiseptic cream, lotions or sprays
bandages and wound dressings
infection control items
inflammation and swelling controlling items, including:
cold hosing
icepacks
pressure bandaging
poultices
scissors
stretchers or other carrying methods
wound cleaning solutions.
Pre and post-exercise or race assessment may include:
pre-race or exercise assessment includes:
assessing vital signs
checking greyhound for illnesses or injuries
checking feed and water intake
checking faeces quantity and quality
observing behaviour
post-race or exercise assessment includes:
greyhound's recovery rate of vital signs
recognition of signs of:
heat stress
dehydration
limb injuries, including heat or swelling
muscle soreness.

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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency 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 and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that apply to assessing greyhound health and providing first aid
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient performance of greyhound health and first aid assessment and application
working with others to undertake and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.
Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.
The following resources must be available:
a variety of greyhounds
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to assess greyhound health and fitness and apply required first aid procedures
safe handling areas, such as commercial kennels, and training and racetracks
work instructions and related documentation.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.
The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.
Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.
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).