Required skills

check on health status and condition of livestock for range of companion animal species

comply with animal housing transport and quarantine requirements

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

identify common indicators of the presence of disease injury compromised health or distress in animals

maintain records and workplace documents

negotiate the purchase of livestock

safely and securely prepare animals for transport

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures including OHS animal welfare and infection control procedures follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

oral communication skillslanguage to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning active listening and asking for clarification

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 assess appropriate strategies and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

Required knowledge

anatomical and physiological structures and functions related to livestock assessment requirements

common diseases ailments injuries and other impacts on animal health and wellbeing

housing and transportation requirements for a range of companion animal species and breeds

normal and abnormal behaviour patterns and traits of a range of species

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant legislative and regulatory compliance requirements including the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice companion animal legislation local council regulations microchipping animal welfare legislation and wildlife regulations

relevant organisational policies and procedures including OHS and emergency procedures and animal welfare requirements

safe animal handling techniques

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 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

identify market trends and seasonal availability of livestock

source and evaluate suppliers and determine best price for livestock

perform health and condition checks on potential purchases

identify supply and comply with relevant housing transport and quarantine requirements

comply with relevant legislative requirements

communicate effectively with suppliers and clients

maintain accurate records

The skills and knowledge required to purchase companion animal livestockmust 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 that provides purchasing services or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions Workplaces may include pet shops and aquariums

There must be access in either situation to a range of companion animal breeds and species and the relevant information materials and documentation

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

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

Research may include:

Legislative requirements may include:

Health and condition status considerations may include:

Records and documents may include:

Special transport needs may include: