Required skills

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling animals materials and equipment

follow workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control in the catching and handling of animals

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

observe and report domestic animal behaviour

participate in arrangements for maintaining the health and safety of all people and animals in the workplace

prepare materials tools and equipment for catching and handling animals

use equipment and materials correctly and in accordance with manufacturers specifications

oral communication skillslanguage to fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning active listening asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural social and religious backgrounds

problemsolving skills to select required equipment and prioritise tasks

use safe and approved animal handling techniques

Required knowledge

animal temperaments and behaviours in order to develop an understanding of the associated hazards and risks

basic awareness of natural animal behaviour relating to the characteristics of the species age health status and social needs

hazards associated with handling animals and control measures

housing exercise social and activity needs of domestic animals

principles of animal welfare and ethics

occupational health and safety OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

safe animal handling techniques and procedures

safe work practices

terminology used to identify animals and describe their behaviour

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 individual animals

identify the potential risk factors for animal and human safety and wellbeing when approaching and handling animals

select catching and handling techniques to minimise the risk of injury or distress

use appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication skills when approaching catching or handling quiet domestic animals

assist in the control of animals during animal care routines or activities

follow supervisor instructions and work as part of a team

The skills and knowledge required to catch and handle a range of quiet 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 most appropriately be assessed in an animal care workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions Workplaces can include pet shops breeding or boarding kennels and catteries aviaries companion animal training grooming establishments domestic animal zoos mobile animal facilities and veterinary practices

There must be accessto a range of quiet wellhandled domestic 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

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:

Reasons that require staff to identify animals may include:

Specific characteristics of animals may include:

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

Catching and handling equipment may include:

Behavioural signs may include:

Catching technique may include:

Basic handling may include: