Required skills

communicate with visitors about containment and exclusion procedures

complete relevant workplace documents

comply with project protocols or report problems or concerns to workplace supervisor or project manager in accordance with workplace protocols and procedures

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

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

report unresolved concerns related to project or workplace procedures using appropriate animal welfare and ethics protocols

select and apply appropriate cleaning and disinfection agents

use equipment materials and machinery correctly and in accordance with manufacturers specifications

literacy skills to read interpret and follow institutional policies and procedures including OHS infection control and waste management follow sequenced written instructions record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks

oral communication skillslanguage to fulfil the job role as specified by the institution including questioning techniques active listening clarifying information and consulting with supervisors

numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine workplace measures

interpersonal skills to work with 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 address containment breaches or other issues within scope of responsibilities

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

Required knowledge

an awareness of containment and exclusion requirements under the Federal Gene Technology Act

applicable industry quality assurance requirements and required documentation

ASNZS Safety in laboratories Microbiological aspects and containment facilities

biohazards in the workplace of significance to animals and humans

communication procedures and systems and technology relevant to the organisation and the individuals work responsibilities

institutional containment and exclusion policies and procedures

organisational policies and safe work procedures including OHS and emergency procedures

personal protective clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used

principles of animal welfare and ethics

Federal Quarantine Act and Regulations

relevant animal technology codes of practice and regulations 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 biosecurity animal welfare and research

reporting procedures for alleged breaches of containment and exclusion procedures

workplace hygiene standards disinfectants cleaning agents cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials

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

apply specific institutional procedures for containment and exclusion including security requirements and report breaches

isolate and monitor animals as required

care for monitor and maintain animals housed in containment and exclusion areas

carry out cleaning and disinfection duties including decontaminating items as required before entering a site

assist in responding to containment and exclusion breaches and contamination

maintain accurate records related to breaches and problems encountered

The skills and knowledge required to carry out institution containment and exclusion procedures 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 in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions

There must be access to a range of animals as well as relevant information equipment andor resources to enable one to demonstrate competence

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 strategies 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

thirdparty 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 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

Decontamination requirements may include:

Containment or exclusion sites may include:

Personal decontamination tests and procedures may include:

Potential contaminants include:

Institution requirements may include:

Personal protective equipment may include:

Pest infestations that might occur include:

OHS risks associated with animal technician procedures include:

Waste products that might need to be disposed of include:

Supervision required in providing treatment will require: