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 an emergency situation

determine hazards and minimise risk to self, bystanders, the public and the animal

apply basic first aid and care to animals

seek assistance during the application of first aid

communicate effectively with others and follow instructions.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic first aid for 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 care workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries, aviaries, companion animal training, grooming establishments, animal shelters, zoos, mobile animal facilities and veterinary practices.

There must be access to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.Assessment must cover a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates).

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 and where possible, 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

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

complete relevant work-related documents

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

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

respond to emergencies in line with practised actions

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS; follow sequenced written instructions; and record the information accurately and legible

oral communication skills/language to fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

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

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

problem-solving skills to use available resources and determine who to contact for assistance

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment.

Required knowledge

animal emergency network

animal temperaments and behaviours related to the associated hazards and risks to animals and staff during animal capture, restraint, inspection and treatment

basic animal care and hygiene principles

basic first aid techniques

first aid casualty management principles

first aid sources for assistance

communication procedures and systems, and technology relevant to the organisation and the individual's work responsibilities

examination techniques for health status

methods used to capture, restrain and examine animals

organisation policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures

physical conditions and vital signs of animals

physiological features of animals

relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

safe animal handling techniques and procedures

safe work practices

zoonotic diseases.

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.

Emergency situations may include:

natural or human disasters:

building destruction

drought, flood or earthquakes

fire, fuel and/or chemical spillage

life threatening disease or biohazard

trauma:

cardiac arrest

exhaustion due to exercise or workload

exposure to climatic conditions

electrocution

fight or flight response

non-infectious diseases (e.g. diabetes and respiratory)

poisoning

respiratory distress

road accidents.

Hazards may include:

animal:

size

number

temperament

behaviour

fire, gas, fumes and electrical situations

injuries

lack of oxygen

proximity of other people and animals

vehicles and machinery.

Risks may include:

risks to self, bystanders and public:

animal attempting to escape

bites, scratches and wounds associated with animal handling

envenomation

kicks and crushes associated with animal handling

lifting and moving animals

zoonoses

risks to animals:

animal being harmed further (going into shock) as a result of human intervention

animal trying to escape and causing itself further injuries.

Animals may include:

animals commonly encountered within the industry workplace and may cover both native and introduced species

animals from the six major animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates).

Physical condition and vital signs may include:

physical condition:

broken bones

burns

lacerations

other injuries, trauma and medical conditions

scratches

vital signs:

hydration status

pulse rates

respiration

temperature.

Basic first aid care may include:

stop bleeding

administer oxygen

minimise impact of shock by keeping animal quiet, warm and away from activity or noise

immobilise limb injuries, if soft tissue damage or fractures are suspected, if possible

hose or apply water, if available, in cases of burns or heat exhaustion

administration of emetics or antidotes under instruction if appropriate

feeding or watering as advised

transporting animal to veterinary assistance as soon as possible.

First aidassistance may include:

veterinarian

wildlife carer

ranger or supervisor.

OHS procedures may include:

safe work method statements (SWMS) covering:

cleaning, removal of waste and spillage, containment or elimination of risk

emergency procedures:

potential escape of an animal

injury to an animal or other animals, staff and potentially the public

handling animals

hazard identification and risk minimisation

procedures for the handling, use, storage, transport and disposal of chemicals

manual handling techniques

procedures for the handling and disposal of biological wastes

controlling the spread of disease, infection control and biohazard management

incident reporting

seeking advice from supervisors

referring to material safety data sheets (MSDS)

use of personal protective equipment.

Personal protective equipment may include:

animal restraint devices:

collars

halters

harnesses

leads

communication equipment

infection control equipment

protective clothing i:

animal handling gauntlets

boots, gloves, goggles and helmet

sun or wet weather protection from heat or cold

protection from animal scratches and bites

protection from terrain, chemical spills or other hazards

safety lines and harnesses.