Required skills

complete relevant workrelated documents

comply with basic legislative and regulatory compliance requirements in animal care workplaces

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

identify common indicators of the presence of disease and infection processes

identify signs of progress or deterioration in condition or health of animals

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

measure animal vital signs and hydration status

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

use chemicals and cleaning agents to clean treatment areas and workplace in accordance with state or territory legislation and organisational policies and procedures

use equipment and machinery correctly and safely

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures including OHS

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

numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine workplace measures

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

problemsolving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

Required knowledge

animal care and hygiene principles

animal temperaments and behaviours related to the associated hazards and risks to animals and staff during animal capture restraint inspection and treatment

common ailments disease and injury indicators

common health maintenance issues and treatment protocols

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

examination techniques for health status

methods of transmission of disease and infection

methods used to capture restrain and examine animals

organisational policies procedures and requirements including OHS emergency procedures and treatment programs

physiological features of animals

principles of animal welfare and ethics

regulations relating to the disposal of hazardous waste

relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

safe animal handling techniques and procedures

storage and security requirements for medications

terminology used to identify animals and describe their behaviour

vital signs their normal range and reasons for concern for measurements outside normal range

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 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

observe animal behaviour to identify potential health problems and in order to determine tactics required to catch animals

assist others in the capture removal and restraint of animals in accordance with OHS and workplace requirements

identify individual animals measure their vital signs and conduct a basic visual and external assessment under supervision

assist in the application or administration of treatment

document observations and treatments

clean inspection and treatment areas

The skills and knowledge required to assist with the health care of 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 be most appropriately 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 animal shelters zoos mobile animal facilities and veterinary practices

There must be access to a range of animals as well as relevant information equipment andor resources to enable one to demonstrate competenceAssessment must cover a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups mammals birds reptiles amphibians fish and invertebrates

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

Animals may include:

Capture methods to be used may include:

OHSrisks when working with animals may include:

Relevant OHSrequirements may include:

Positive identification may include:

Methods used to keep animal restrained may include:

External features and vital signs may include:

Equipment and supplies may include:

Common health maintenance issues may include:

Post-treatment routines may include: