Assessor Resource

ACMATE501A
Manage compliance in animal technology

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


The unit is applicable to a senior or managerial level. All work practices must be undertaken in accordance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes and the institution's standard operating procedures. It requires the ability to liaise with and report to the institution's Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) according to institutional requirements. It may also involve supporting and directing other, usually less experienced, staff in carrying out their responsibilities in these areas.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

This unit of competency covers the process of practising and promoting animal welfare and ethical standards to others in animal technology workplaces and ensuring work practices, documentation and attitudes meet legislative, regulatory and workplace standards.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 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. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

provide advice to and monitor staff on a range of procedural work functions relating to animal technology workplace compliance requirements

ensure that the organisation and all staff complies with relevant legislative requirements

manage the use, care and containment of animals to be used in research programs

manage the euthanasia of research animals and monitor staff performing euthanasia procedures

review, improve and implement the institution's policies and procedures to ensure compliance

manage relationships and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders

maintain accurate records using relevant institutional electronic and/or manual systems.

The skills and knowledge required to manage compliance in animal technology 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 technology research facility or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions and has a scientific establishment licence and access to an approved AEC.

There must be access to relevant information, materialsand documentation 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 strategies 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.

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).

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

apply AEC classification system to determine procedures that require approval

develop/review and communicate the institution's standard operating procedures

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling and working with animals

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

monitor compliance with animal welfare and ethics regulations and workplace safe operating procedures

prepare and maintain appropriate records, including animal care and ethics register using relevant institutional electronic and/or manual systems

prepare applications to animal care and ethics committee for workplace and project specific procedures

provide information and instruction to staff on institutional policies and procedures

literacy skills to read, interpret and apply facility policies and procedures, including OHS, infection control, containment and exclusion 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, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from senior or more experienced staff

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data

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 address non-compliance or other issues within scope of responsibilities.

Required knowledge

AS/NZS 2243.3:2002: Safety in laboratories - Microbiological aspects and containment facilities

applicable industry quality assurance requirements and required documentation

biohazards in the workplace of significance to animals and humans

classification system used to categorise animal care and treatment by AECs

containment and exclusion policies, procedures and requirements under the Federal Gene Technology Act

institution's standard operating procedures relating to restraining, handling, euthanasing and disposing of animals

institution's standard operating procedures relating to use, storage and transport of equipment and drugs used when conducting euthanasia of animals

organisational policies and safe work procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures

principles of animal welfare and ethics

protocols, legal and ethical considerations in establishing animal care procedures and policies and gaining AEC approval

relevant codes of practice including the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, OHS and animal welfare, quarantine and research, including the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances

reporting procedures for alleged breaches of containment and exclusion procedures and the consequences of any breaches.

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.

Subject to facility requirements animals may include:

on most occasions the animal species will be common laboratory animals:

guinea pigs

mice

rabbits

rats

on some occasions animal species may include:

amphibians, fish and reptiles

dogs and cats

fish

invertebrates

livestock (e.g. sheep, cattle and pigs)

native wildlife (e.g. marsupials and birds)

primates

poultry.

Principles of 3Rs are:

replace the animals in research with non-animal alternatives

reduce the number of animals used in experiments

refine scientific procedures and animal husbandry to minimise suffering.

Reasons to conduct euthanasia may include:

accidents

cull of production

environmental failure; fire or other trauma

excessive aggression

meeting the requirements of product quality assurance

outbreak of disease

reaching the end point of research

the need to alleviate uncontrollable pain and distress.

Legislation requirements that impact on the euthanasia of animals include:

approval from the institution's AEC

local government regulations covering the transport and disposal of hazardous wastes

relevant codes of practice, including the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations such as those relating to:

firearms usage

fisheries

prevention of cruelty to animals

quarantine

the practice of veterinary surgery

the administration and storage of therapeutic and controlled substances

wildlife.

Animal ethics and welfare requirements include:

adhering to the responsible care and use of animals by providing for its needs in a reasonable way:

adequate food and water

appropriate accommodation or living conditions

handling animals humanely

the display of normal behavioural patterns

treatment of disease and injury

providing standards for animal care and use that:

achieve a reasonable balance between the welfare of animals and the interests of people whose livelihood is dependent on animals

allow for the effect of advancements in scientific knowledge about animal biology and changes in community expectations about practices involving animals

protect animals from unjustifiable, unnecessary, or unreasonable pain (e.g. cruelty)

Containment and exclusion sites include:

containment site is the physical location where the organism is being controlled and confined

exclusion site is the physical location from which organisms are to be excluded:

institution premises or parts of the premises

isolation areas or sick bays

laboratories

research animal holding or breeding facilities

whole farms or parts of a farm.

Containment and exclusion may apply to:

genetically modified organisms

gnotobiotic

infectious microbiological organisms

physical

specific pathogen free.

Institute standard operating procedures may include:

AS/NZ 2243.3:2002: Safety in laboratories - Microbiological aspects and containment facilities

institution's quality assurance manual and procedures:

biosecurity

OHS

recycling and re-use guidelines

waste disposal

product labels and manufacturers specifications, including material safety data sheets (MSDS)

project objectives and production schedules

relevant state and territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, quarantine, animal welfare and research

requirements of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator in line with the Federal Gene Technology Act

work and routine maintenance plans.

Records to be kept may include:

breeding program records

genetic constitution

infection control records

health status

environmental variables

fate of animals

staff training and rosters

monitoring animal health and wellbeing and other species-specific records.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
The use of animals in the institution's research programs is justified and written approval is sought from the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). 
Principles of the 3Rs (replacement, refinement and reduction) are applied. 
The scope of interests and responsibilities of the institution, the individual working in animal technology and the community are identified. 
Requirements outlined in the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes are applied to daily animal care. 
Reporting requirements to the AEC are clearly defined and followed. 
The care and containment of experimental animals are followed to comply with AEC requirements. 
Reasons for the decision to euthanase an animal are identified to comply with institutional policies and procedures, program approvals or protocols and legislative requirements. 
Licences and permits required to conduct the euthanasia are obtained 
Euthanasia procedures conducted by less experienced staff are monitored and assistance or support is provided where required. 
The institution's standard operating procedures relating to euthanasia are regularly reviewed and suggestions for improvement are discussed with veterinarians and implemented. 
The institution's standard operating procedures relating to euthanasia are communicated to staff, researchers and others. 
Project and laboratory practices that require approval are identified. 
Project and non-standard laboratory practices are justified in line with animal ethics and welfare guidelines. 
Application for approval of non-standard project or laboratory practices is prepared and presented. 
Monitoring programs for containment and exclusion of organisms are developed and implemented. 
Breaches of containment or exclusion reported by staff or others are acted on in accordance with the monitoring program and the institution's standard operating procedures. 
The institution's standard operating procedures relating to containment and exclusion are regularly reviewed and suggestions for improvement are discussed with veterinarians. 
The institution's standard operating procedures relating to containment and exclusion are communicated to staff, researchers and others. 
Records relating to the management of breeding stock and research and teaching animals are maintained in accordance with requirements. 
Records relating to containment and exclusion are maintained as required by the institution and relevant government authorities. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMATE501A - Manage compliance in animal technology
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Assessment Record Sheet

ACMATE501A - Manage compliance in animal technology

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