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 emergency situations may be included?
Emergency situations may arise due to natural or human disasters such as fire, fuel and / or chemical spillage, drought or flood. They may also arise due to trauma such as road accidents, poisoning, non-infectious diseases (e.g. diabetes), respiratory or cardiac arrest, electrocution and fight or flight.

What hazards may be encountered?
Hazards to self and / or others may include the proximity of other people and / or animals, lack of oxygen, vehicles and machinery, fire, gas, fumes and electrical situations. The injuries, size, number, temperament and behaviour of the animals may also represent threats to the health and safety of self and / or others.

What are possible health and safety risks?
Risks to self may include bites, scratches and wounds associated with animal handling; kicks and crushes associated with animal handling; lifting and moving animals; zoonoses; and envenomation.
Risks to animals may include an animal being harmed further (going into shock) as a result of human intervention or an animal trying to escape and causing itself further injuries.

What is meant by physical condition and vital signs?
Physical condition of animals may include burns, lacerations, scratches and broken bones or limbs.
Vital signs may include breathing and pulse rates.
An assessment of the physical condition and vital signs of an animal may determine that the animal is dead and first aid is not required. The assessment may also determine whether the animal is seriously injured or not.

What could basic first aid involve?
Basic first aid may involve compression for lacerations or scratches, bandaging for broken bones or limbs, suitable containment, provision of warmth, feeding or watering as advised, quiet environment and darkness if appropriate for the animal. It may also involve the administration of emetics or antidotes under instruction if appropriate, and transport to a veterinary clinic.

Who may be included in first aid assistance?
First aid assistance may include a veterinarian, wildlife carer, ranger or supervisor.

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

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 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:

assess an emergency situation
determine hazards and minimise risk to self, bystanders, the public and the animal
apply basic first aid and care to a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles)
know when and from whom to seek assistance during the application of first aid
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:

the use of safe work practices
relevant OHS and emergency policies and procedures
animal temperaments and behaviours in order to develop an understanding of the associated hazards and risks
basic first aid techniques
first aid sources of assistance
basic animal care and hygiene principles
physical conditions and vital signs of animals.

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 use safe animal handling techniques
ability to respond to emergencies in line with practised actions
ability to apply first aid techniques and provide basic animal care
ability to check animals' physical conditions and vital signs
numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations
literacy skills to read, select and follow organisational policies and procedures including OHS; 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 cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
problem-solving skills to use available resources and determining whom to contact for assistance.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an emergency situation
animals requiring first aid assistance and basic care.

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 real or simulated situation involving an injured animals requiring first aid assistance.
There must be access in this 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
Verbally through communications systems. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By observing and reporting to supervisor and / or appropriate authorities. (1)

Planning and organising activities
According to OHS practices, policies and procedures. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Through reacting to emergency situations in a coordinated way. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By calculating pulse rates and reading thermometers. (1)

Solving problems
By identifying solutions to preserve life or counteract emergencies. (1)

Using technology
By using communications equipment. (1)