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

Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances. Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.

direct and monitor activities of one or more operational units

source resources

work effectively under stressful conditions

apply approved standards and protocols for emergency disease or plant pest control within a specific area

provide accurate and detailed reports to appropriate authorities.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to manage the implementation of an emergency disease or plant pest control program.

The candidate must also have access to a functioning emergency disease or plant pest control centre, or a control centre established for an emergency disease or plant pest response simulation exercise.

Method of assessment

For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to manage the implementation of an emergency disease or plant pest control program.

The candidate must also have access to a functioning emergency disease or plant pest control centre, or a control centre established for an emergency disease or plant pest response simulation exercise.

Guidance information for assessment

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 manage the implementation of an emergency disease or plant pest control program must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts, including the ability to deal with unplanned events. For example, this could include work within control centres established to deal with a range of different emergency disease or plant pest incursion responses.

Required skills

accessing standards and protocols such as Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) or Australian Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan (PLANTPLAN) to interpret and determine requirements for implementing specific emergency animal disease or plant pest control programs

collating, interpreting and analysing relevant information

operating effectively under stress in tasks involving high-level problem solving and decision making

managing people under stressful conditions

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures

use 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.

Required knowledge

application of emergency management principles when implementing an emergency disease or plant pest control program

common reactions and behaviours of people working under stressful conditions

occupational health and safety requirements, particularly for use of chemicals, specific control procedures and managing personnel under emergency conditions

relevant public sector policies, practices and constraints in relation to emergency disease or plant pest management

relevant standards and protocols, such as AUSVETPLAN or PLANTPLAN

requirements of relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Relevant standards and protocols may include:

approved standard operating procedures

emergency disease or plant pest specific guidelines such as AUSVETPLAN or PLANTPLAN

jurisdiction's approved response plan

state and territory legislation defining legal powers in an emergency disease or plant pest situation

other relevant guidelines for handling an emergency disease or plant pest.

Emergency diseases or plant pests include:

disease that may affect animals, fish and other marine animals including:

disease that is exotic to Australia

serious infectious disease of unknown or uncertain cause

severe outbreak of a known endemic disease that is considered to be of national significance with serious social or trade implications

variant of an endemic disease

species, biotype or strain of invertebrate pest or pathogen injurious to plants or plant health.

Emergency disease or plant pest control procedures may include:

cleaning and decontaminating

collecting samples

destruction

disposal

epidemiological assessments

movement control

permits

quarantine

surveillance

tracing

vaccination

vector control measures

wild animal control measures.

Formats that may be used for reports include:

electronic

paper-based.

Management systems may include:

electronic

paper-based.