Required skills

document information about the animal its behaviour environment and the action taken and read and interpret relevant legislation

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

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

recognise and identify a range of animal species and breeds

respond to animal behaviours and traits

use identification equipment

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures including occupational health and safety 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 skillslanguage to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning active listening asking for clarification and consulting with or 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

problemsolving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

Required knowledge

animal behaviour and temperament

animal species breeds and groups

antisocial behaviour

evolution of animals and animal behaviour

organisational policies and procedures

owneranimal relationship

possible statutory responses under relevant legislation

principles of animal health diseases and zoonoses

principles of animal welfare and ethics

recognition of animal stress and comfort

recognition of environment including where an animal lives how it is managed by its owner and impacts on animal behaviour

relevant legislation and codes of practice relating to OHS and animal control and regulation requirements

restricted animals and restricted breeds

top most common twenty breeds of dogs top three breeds of cats and at least one species from each of livestock wildlife andor native animals and declared pest animals

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

identify animals by breed type and group

recognise animals by common name

interpret animal body language

determine behaviour and temperament of animals

assess specific types of animal behaviour and respond accordingly

refer unusual or dangerous behaviour to specialists or action a statutory response

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 andor resources to enable one to demonstrate competence Assessment must include identifying top most common twenty breeds of dogs top three breeds of cats and at least one species from each of livestock wildlife andor native animals and declared pest animals

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in ones 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 andor oral assessment of candidates required knowledge

observed documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

case study analysis

thirdparty 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 eg literacy and numeracy demands and the needs of particular target groups eg 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

Identifiable characteristics may include:

Information and equipment may include:

Common names requires:

Animal behaviour may consider:

Risks or hazards when working with animals may include:

Risks or hazards to be assessed include:

Constructive solutions may include:

Referral to specialists may include:

Statutory response may include: