Required skills

complete relevant workrelated documents

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

follow instructions and assist safely with tasks

follow organisation policies procedures and requirements

literacy skills to read and follow OHS and waste management procedures and other organisational policies and procedures 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 techniques active listening asking for clarification and consulting with supervisors

numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations and measure volumes

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

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

OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

organisation policies procedures and requirements including OHS and emergency procedures

principles of animal ethics and welfare

relevant recordkeeping systems

safe animal handling techniques and procedures

safe work practices

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

organise prioritise and complete work tasks in a timely manner

identify and handle animals in an ethical and humane manner

comply with relevant legislation regulations and codes of practiceincluding animal welfare and OHS

communicate effectively with supervisor and follow task instructions to complete daily work activities

build relationships and communicate effectively with clients

gather document maintain and record companion animal records using organisational recordkeeping systems

The skills and knowledge required to work effectively in the companion animal industry 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 a companion animal workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions Workplaces may include pet shops boarding kennels and catteries companion animal training grooming andor breeding establishments and mobile animal facilities

There must be access to the appropriate 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 and where possible 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

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

Organisation requirements may include:

Task requirements may include:

Factors affecting the achievement of task instructions may include:

Organisation equipment may include:

Safe work practices and OHS requirements will include:

Companion animals may include:

Ethical work with animals may include

Legislative requirements may include:

Effective communication with clients may include