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 might the term rescue include?
Rescue might include rescuing companion animals that have escaped from owners' residence, the simple rescue of small animals or rescuing and capturing small native fauna.

What types of risk may require assessment?
Risk assessment may include the likely behaviour and actions of aggressive or badly injured animals or trapped animals requiring specialist personnel and / or equipment; escape routes for animals; potential injury to oneself and other people or animals; and the potential for further injury to animals.

Who might provide assistance?
Wildlife officers and carers, veterinarians, animal control officers, other government department or agency personnel, police and other emergency services (fire and ambulance).

Which materials and equipment may be used in rescuing animals?
Materials and equipment may include catch poles, nets, ropes, bags, hoods, enticement toys and / or food and simple barriers.

What is meant by a safe and humane manner?
This may include appropriate use of restraints for animals, correct use of PPE, observing stress to the animal, allocating sufficient time to the process and considering animals' welfare at all times.

What type of OHS procedures would be relevant in this context?
Animal care for captive animals has a range of associated risks from bites, envenomation, kicks or scratches. All duties should reflect an awareness of and a respect for these risks.
Safe work practices are used in handling animals. Appropriate safe handling techniques are used to reduce muscle load on exertion.
Captive animal facilities 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, removal of waste and spillage, containment or elimination of risk, the use of PPE and seeking advice from supervisors.
Emergency procedures could relate to the potential escape of animals; and injury to animal, other animals, staff and potentially the public.

What is meant by basic animal care?
Basic animal care may include suitable containment, provision of warmth, not feeding if advised and quiet environment or darkness when appropriate.

What are examples of PPE?
Personal protective clothing and equipment may include gloves, goggles, long sleeved and long legged clothing, boots and hessian bags to wrap around arm.

What are examples of appropriate facilities?
Facilities may include veterinary surgery or hospital, animal refuge centre, wildlife park, captive animal zoo or park.

What future options may there be for rescued animals?
Options may include carers or volunteers looking after animals, devising structured rehabilitation and release programs for wildlife, returning domestic pets to owners or giving animals to a captive animal facility.

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:

rescue a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles)
apply basic animal care
know from whom and when to seek assistance during the rescue and / or the application of basic animal care
communicate effectively with others and follow instructions.

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:

relevant OHS policies and procedures
relevant legislation
relevant animal welfare bodies and support facilities
basic animal care and hygiene principles
basic behavioural and physiological aspects of the restraint and capture of animals
appropriate capture and restraint methods for animals
emergency procedures.

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 implement organisational policies and procedures
ability to capture and restrain animals
ability to use safe handling techniques
ability to provide basic animal care
numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations
literacy skills to read, select and follow organisational policies and procedures including OHS and waste management; follow sequenced written instructions; and record the information accurately and legibly
oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from supervisor and consulting with supervisor
interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
problem-solving skills to use available resources and determine whom to contact for assistance.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate animal care workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace
equipment used to rescue animals
a range of animals for rescue
PPE
environment to provide basic animal care
OHS and emergency policies and procedures.

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 workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal working 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

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 discussing rescue processes with the supervisor and / or support people. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By determining appropriate rescue and restraint techniques. (1)

Planning and organising activities
By working with others in planning simple rescue and restraint procedures. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By working with others on agreed tasks. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By using arithmetic calculations such as weighing and measuring animals when caring for animals. (1)

Solving problems
By determining the best approach to rescue animals. (1)

Using technology
By using the Internet to access information. (1)