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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Rules of racing cover:
constitutional
interpretation
licensing
local rules
offences
penalties
race meetings
registration
stewards
syndicates.
Signs of distress, illness, injury or abnormal behaviour may include:
greyhound or horse race meeting behaviour, including:
attempting to bite
becoming agitated and sweaty
charging forward
pulling back or sideways
rearing
turning in circles
signs of unhealthy greyhounds or horses, include:
discharge
dull coat
dull eyes
elevated temperature
listlessness
skin disease
swollen joints
symptoms of injuries may include:
abrasions
cuts
fractures
heat in limbs
lameness
sprains
strains.
Samples are collected by:
checking identification
escorting animal and handler to swab area
following chain of evidence protocols
identifying greyhounds or horses to be swabbed
preparing swab kit and swab area
recording details
securing swabs and swab area.
Practices observed when samples are collected will include:
adhering to racing industry animal welfare requirements
following safe operating procedures
handling of animals in enclosed spaces
monitoring greyhound or horse behaviour
using restraints.
Weather conditions may include:
altitude
cold
fog
heat
high humidity
prevailing air pollution level, which may exacerbate climatic conditions
wind and wind chill.
Race and post-race activities observed may include:
action in enclosure or mounting yard
action or bleeding occurrence upon return to scale or catching pen
action or performance during racing
barrier loading (thoroughbred)
warm-up or score-up (harness)
stir-up or box loading (greyhound).
Restraints may be:
chemical
physical.
Safety of staff and greyhound or horse may include:
adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices
adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare
adhering to rules of racing and rules of the race venue
considering variables that influence behaviour of greyhounds or horses, such as:
fences and equipment
other persons or animals
vehicles
wind and noise
contributing to development of risk control measures
following safe work practices
following accident and injury procedures
identifying and reporting unsafe work practices
identifying emergency situations
monitoring animal behaviour
using approved and well-maintained gear
wearing approved personal protective equipment.
Suspected notifiable diseases include:
African horse sickness
anthrax
contagious equine metritis
equine flu
hendra virus
Japanese encephalitis
rabies
surra.
Identification is verified by:
identifying colours, brands, markings or gender
viewing registration papers
reading microchip information.
Arrangements for removal of deceased animal will include:
considering owner, trainer and other witnesses
determining disposal area, which may include local waste management centre or other area agreed by stewards
removal processes.

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 are to apply performing the duties of veterinarian at race meetings or trials
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of veterinarian duties
working with others to undertake and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of workplace-relevant contexts and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources. 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 range of greyhounds, and harness or thoroughbred horses
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform veterinarian duties at race meetings or trials
race meetings and related facilities, including swabbing
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.
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).