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.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence 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. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

assess a situation to determine an appropriate plan for seizure and transport of animals

minimise risks to animals, self, bystanders and the public

handle and restrain animals in a safe and humane manner

seize animals using equipment appropriate to the animal and the task

assess animals for injury and/or health issues

apply basic first aid as required

load, transport and unload animals using safe work practices

access and use management systems to keep and maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to assess and impound animals must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal control and regulation workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

case study analysis

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

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).

Required skills

apply basic first aid

apply safe work practices on a daily basis

assess a situation and determine an appropriate plan for the seizure and transport of animals

employ safe, humane and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling animals, including loading and unloading animals for transportation

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection

read and interpret relevant legislation

use animal seizure and restraint techniques

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS, infection control and waste management; follow sequenced written instructions; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from third party and reporting to supervisor

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

risk management skills, including identifying risks, consulting with stakeholders, modifying and reviewing processes and documenting changes

interpersonal skills to communicate, relate, negotiate and mediate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders from a range of social and cultural backgrounds

problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge

animal behaviour, temperament and body language

animal's interpretation of human body language when it is being approached

awareness of diseases and zoonoses

basic first aid methods and techniques

equipment, methods and strategies for seizing, restraining and transporting animals safely and humanely

OHS hazards

organisational policies and procedures

principles of animal welfare and ethics

recognition of animal stress and comfort

relevant legislation and codes of practice relating to the seizure, restraint and transportation of animals.

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.

Assessing the situation may include:

the consideration of:

members of the public and their safety

safety of self and team members

safety and welfare of the animal to be seized

environment:

open space

public facility

residential property

roads

circumstances:

an aggressive animal

crowded place

time of day

provision for backup if required

type, size and number of animals to be seized

health and wellbeing of animals to be seized

making a decision, in consultation with supervisor, veterinarian or others, as to whether the animal should be destroyed during the seizure process.

The purpose of seizing an animal may include:

an animal may be seized:

to ensure safety to the community or to the animal itself (e.g. due to an animal's aggressive behaviour)

for legislative reasons:

animal wandering at large

attacks

breach of seizure orders.

Equipment may include:

bribes (e.g. food)

bridles and headstalls

catch poles

cages

collars and leads

halters and harnesses

nets

ropes

shackles

snake bags

protective clothing including gloves

traps.

Firearms, chemicals or drugs should not be used as part of this unit of competency.

Safe work practices may include:

use of personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate to the type of animal

protocols:

animal hazard management and identification

animal handling (e.g. lifting and securing)

seizure and transportation.

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

moving parts of machinery or equipment

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Possible destinations may include:

pounds

return to owner

shelters

RSPCA

veterinary clinic for veterinary care and assistance

wildlife carer.

Types of restraintsdo not include:

firearms, chemicals or drugs as part of this unit of competency.