Required skills include

Ability to

apply a range of industry recognised pattern and style grooming techniques procedures and associated range of treatments

apply problemsolving skills to use available information and resources and prioritise daily tasks

employ 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

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

follow sequenced written instructions record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

followup with clients in relation to future grooming services in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

identify animals using common names

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

maintain records and complete relevant workplace documentation

operate and maintain a range of grooming equipment

use literacy skills to read and follow organisation policies and procedures including workplace health and safety infection control and waste management procedures

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

use numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

Required knowledge includes

Ability to

basic animal anatomy and physiology related to grooming procedures

industry recognised animal pattern and style grooming techniques procedures and equipment

normal and abnormal animal behaviour and traits for relevant species

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant grooming products and services

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 workplace health and safety and emergency procedures animal welfare requirements hygiene standards and waste disposal regulations

relevant recordkeeping systems

safe animal handling and restraint techniques and procedures

safe work practices

signs of abnormalities and health concerns in animals including parasitic infections

transmission of diseases between animals

usage and maintenance of a range of grooming equipment

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

assess health and condition of animals coat and determine pattern and style grooming requirements with clientowner

apply industry recognised bathing and grooming methods and procedures for different breeds of companion animals

handle animals in a safe and humane manner

operate and maintain grooming equipment and supplies in accordance with organisational standards and manufacturers specifications

build relationships and communicate effectively with clients regarding appropriate grooming requirements

maintain records and followup with clients as required

The skills and knowledge required to provide professional companion animal grooming services 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 companion animal organisations that offer animal pattern and style grooming services or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions

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

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of 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

Animals may include:

Parasitic infestations may include:

General health and temperament may include:

Risks

Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:

Grooming pattern and style characteristics may include:

Grooming equipment may include:

Waste material may include:

Business record compliance and invoicing requirements may include:

Advice on home grooming care may include: