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.

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 and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that apply to assessing greyhound health and providing first aid

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient performance of greyhound health and first aid assessment and application

working with others to undertake and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

a variety of greyhounds

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to assess greyhound health and fitness and apply required first aid procedures

safe handling areas, such as commercial kennels, and training and racetracks

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

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

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

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

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds

applying basic first aid to greyhounds

applying quarantine control measures for isolation of sick greyhounds and prevention of transference of disease by dogs, other animals and humans

assessing and responding to injuries in greyhounds

assessing vital signs of greyhounds

calming and restraining greyhounds

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to assessing health and first aid requirements for greyhounds

evaluating risks associated with catching, handling and controlling sick or injured greyhounds

following instructions

identifying behaviour traits of individual greyhounds

identifying and correctly using different treatments following procedures

identifying common illnesses and injuries in greyhounds

implementing emergency care procedures

incorporating safe operating procedures into all instructions

providing assistance to others in the workplace

reporting greyhound irregularities to kennel nominated person

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

supporting others in handling and providing treatment to greyhounds in the appropriate manner

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

communication procedures within kennel and wider racing industry

common behaviour traits of healthy, sick, injured or distressed greyhounds

common illnesses and injuries in greyhounds

disease control and reporting requirements

effective working relationships, including teamwork

greyhound first aid and emergency care

industry terminology related to handling and treating greyhounds

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing and prohibited substances

restraining techniques for greyhounds

signs of lameness in greyhounds

signs of shock in greyhounds

types of treatments.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to assess health and provide first aid for greyhounds. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Signs of a healthy and fit greyhound may include:

alert and interested in surroundings

clearly defined muscle structure with veins clearly showing

coat condition light and flat

eating up and drinking appropriate quantity of water daily

greyhound standing with weight carried on all four limbs

weight within optimal range relevant to natural body structure and fitness status.

Signs of ill health, injury or distress may include:

excess heat in limbs or isolated areas of body

discolouration of urine

temperature, pulse or respiration outside normal parameters

inappetence

lameness

listlessness

slow skin rebound

swelling

tenderness in body parts.

Specialist may include:

chiropractor

massage therapist

nutritionist

veterinary surgeon.

Reason for referral may include:

greyhound may:

be insured

have to be treated with race day or non-race day prohibited substances

have to be withdrawn from competition

require prescription medication

require stitching or specialist injury management or treatment

illness may be:

contagious condition

notifiable disease

passed on to humans

illness or injury may be:

life threatening or have consequences to ongoing career of greyhound

result of neglect or non-compliance with duty of care.

First aid policies and procedures may include:

administration of treatments

communication processes when greyhounds are treated

disease prevention and control

emergency care

emergency contact details, including veterinarian

permissible treatments

procedure for recording treatments

procedure for reporting and recording vital signs

regular health checks

replenishing supplies of first aid kits, including portable first aid kit

system of referral for injury treatment

staff access to first aid treatments and materials.

Prohibited substances may include:

substances listed below as well as other items defined by racing regulatory authority from time to time, including:

acidifying agents

alkalising agents

analgesics

antihistamines

anti-inflammatory agents

buffering agents

diuretics

general and local anaesthetics

hormones

muscle relaxants

narcotics

respiratory stimulants

sedatives

tranquillisers

vitamins administered by injection.

Basic first aid treatment may include:

applying bandages for:

control of bleeding and swelling

drawing out of foreign bodies or pus

splinting

wound protection

cleaning wounds

managing heat or cold distress

nursing sick, in pain or anxious greyhounds

observing behaviour signs and symptoms of illness and injury

preventing where possible further injury or spread of disease

providing clean, warm or cool shelter out of inclement weather

quarantining sick greyhounds

removing, where possible cause of illness or injury

taking and monitoring vital signs

treating swelling and inflammation

using safe shifting or lifting techniques.

First aid equipment may include:

antiseptic cream, lotions or sprays

bandages and wound dressings

infection control items

inflammation and swelling controlling items, including:

cold hosing

icepacks

pressure bandaging

poultices

scissors

stretchers or other carrying methods

wound cleaning solutions.

Pre and post-exercise or race assessment may include:

pre-race or exercise assessment includes:

assessing vital signs

checking greyhound for illnesses or injuries

checking feed and water intake

checking faeces quantity and quality

observing behaviour

post-race or exercise assessment includes:

greyhound's recovery rate of vital signs

recognition of signs of:

heat stress

dehydration

limb injuries, including heat or swelling

muscle soreness.