Elements and Performance Criteria

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

What documentation is required for pregnancy testing?
The documentation prepared for pregnancy testing may include identification of the estimated stage of pregnancy, including the assembly of relevant breeding records.

What animals are covered by this unit?
Animals covered by this process include cattle, sheep, goats, and horse. This standard does not cover testing of pigs.

What organisation work procedures may apply to this standard?
Work procedures will be based on sound agricultural principles and practices and may include supervisors oral or written instructions, animal production program, organisation standard operating procedures, notes, product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets, manufacturers service specifications and operators manuals, waste disposal, recycling and reuse guidelines, and occupational health & safety procedures.

What information might be recorded and reported?
Dates, times and periods of observations, chemicals and other substances used, including quantities and methods, and readings from temperature gauges.

How may animals be restrained?
By such restraints as a mating crush, headstalls or halters.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protections, respirator or face mask, sun protection (sun hat, sun screen), and specialised gloves for conducting large animal examinations.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise the occupational health and safety risk?
All working routines for animals must be carried out in line with the provisions of the Workplace Health and Safety Acts and relevant animal Codes of Welfare. Actions to eliminate or minimise OHS risk should include:
relevant occupational health and safety hazards identification, risk assessment and risk control measures
safe operating procedures
safe manual handling systems and procedures
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation
selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective equipment.

What are the key indicators of pregnancy?
Key indicators of pregnancy include:
"bounce" (indicating foetal fluid) in one or both uterine horns
the presence of cotyledons - size/number/shape (indicating the state of pregnancy)
femoral arteries - providing an indication of the stage of foetal development from "pulsing" or "buzzing" and their relative diameter
presence of a developed foetus.

What input to herd health management could be derived from pregnancy testing?
Pregnancy diagnosis may include the identification of unsuccessful matings, for herd nutritional planning and herd management planning.

What documentation is required for pregnancy testing?
The documentation prepared for pregnancy testing may include identification of the estimated stage of pregnancy, including the assembly of relevant breeding records.

What animals are covered by this unit?
Animals covered by this process include cattle, sheep, goats, and horse. This standard does not cover testing of pigs.

What organisation work procedures may apply to this standard?
Work procedures will be based on sound agricultural principles and practices and may include supervisors oral or written instructions, animal production program, organisation standard operating procedures, notes, product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets, manufacturers service specifications and operators manuals, waste disposal, recycling and reuse guidelines, and occupational health & safety procedures.

What information might be recorded and reported?
Dates, times and periods of observations, chemicals and other substances used, including quantities and methods, and readings from temperature gauges.

How may animals be restrained?
By such restraints as a mating crush, headstalls or halters.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protections, respirator or face mask, sun protection (sun hat, sun screen), and specialised gloves for conducting large animal examinations.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise the occupational health and safety risk?
All working routines for animals must be carried out in line with the provisions of the Workplace Health and Safety Acts and relevant animal Codes of Welfare. Actions to eliminate or minimise OHS risk should include:
relevant occupational health and safety hazards identification, risk assessment and risk control measures
safe operating procedures
safe manual handling systems and procedures
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation
selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective equipment.

What are the key indicators of pregnancy?
Key indicators of pregnancy include:
"bounce" (indicating foetal fluid) in one or both uterine horns
the presence of cotyledons - size/number/shape (indicating the state of pregnancy)
femoral arteries - providing an indication of the stage of foetal development from "pulsing" or "buzzing" and their relative diameter
presence of a developed foetus.

What input to herd health management could be derived from pregnancy testing?
Pregnancy diagnosis may include the identification of unsuccessful matings, for herd nutritional planning and herd management planning.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in testing animals for pregnancy requires evidence that pregnancy is detected through several manually determined key indicators.
The skills and knowledge required to identify pregnancy in animals must be transferable to a different work environment, for example, across a range of animal breeds.
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:

the physiology of reproduction of the animal
the stages of parturition in animals
basic animal reproductive physiology
animal reproductive systems
animal embryological development
relevant zoonoses
recording and reporting systems used in conjunction with pregnancy diagnosis and animal breeding programs.

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:

provide empathic care for animals during husbandry operations
report clearly, accurately and in a timely fashion on the health and welfare of the animals
accept advice and instruction
work effectively and safely to accurately carry out manual pregnancy diagnosis with safety and nil damage to animals or personnel.

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:

the physiology of reproduction of the animal
the stages of parturition in animals
basic animal reproductive physiology
animal reproductive systems
animal embryological development
relevant zoonoses
recording and reporting systems used in conjunction with pregnancy diagnosis and animal breeding programs.

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:

provide empathic care for animals during husbandry operations
report clearly, accurately and in a timely fashion on the health and welfare of the animals
accept advice and instruction
work effectively and safely to accurately carry out manual pregnancy diagnosis with safety and nil damage to animals or personnel.

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
In communicating with veterinarians, fellow employees, and supervisor. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
In communicating with veterinarians, fellow employees, and supervisor. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In recognising key indicators for pregnancy diagnosis from manually collected evidence and other information. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In recognising key indicators for pregnancy diagnosis from manually collected evidence and other information. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In organising pregnancy diagnosis operations and procedures. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In organising pregnancy diagnosis operations and procedures. (2)

Working with others and in teams
When interacting and working safely with producers, veterinarians and other staff. (1)

Working with others and in teams
When interacting and working safely with producers, veterinarians and other staff. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
When calculating stages of parturition as well as generating reports and information. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
When calculating stages of parturition as well as generating reports and information. (1)

Solving problems
When dealing with lack of evidence, difficult conditions or unruly animals. (1)

Solving problems
When dealing with lack of evidence, difficult conditions or unruly animals. (1)

Using technology
In calculating and communicating results. (1)

Using technology
In calculating and communicating results. (1)