Required skills

care for neonates and juveniles

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

evaluate behaviour signs and objective measures that may indicate animal health is at risk

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

prepare facilities and appropriate environments for breeding animals embryo development hatching or parturition and nursing animals

recognise courtship copulation combat and signs of behavioural and physical changes associated with reproduction

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures including occupational health and safety OHS breeding programs infection control and waste management procedures and record details and information accurately and legibly

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 others and relate to people from a range of cultural social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine workplace measures

problemsolving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

Required knowledge

anatomical and physiological structures and functions related to animal reproductive health and wellbeing of commonly held animals

anatomical and physiological terminology glossary of terms and nomenclature related to animal reproduction

basic principles of genetics

best breeding systems methods and traits to produce the best possible production rates health and wellbeing of animals related to species concerned

commonly used genetic terms and concepts including phenotype genotype cell differentiation and genetic integrity

functions and requirements of a breeding colony where relevant

housing requirements for mother and young of relevant species

mating behaviour of commonly held animals

natural breeding behaviours and biology including seasonal and nonseasonality of reproduction

nutrition and health requirements of commonly held animals at different stages of their life and reproductive cycle

normal and abnormal animal behaviour

organisation policies and procedures including OHS and emergency procedures and breeding plan

principles of animal welfare and ethics

purpose of different aspects of breeding data and records

methods used to measure interpret and record animals weight and other objective measures of animal health

relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

reproductive terminology

safe work practices

signs of animal well being illness injury or other health compromise issues

weaning procedures

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

follow requirements of breeding program to produce the required species and strains

monitor and observe animals and report on breeding cycle

communicate effectively with supervisor and follow instructions

carry out breeding hatching or parturition and weaning procedures in accordance with organisations policies and procedures

carry out postweaning management

maintain accurate breeding program and animal healthrelated records

The skills and knowledge required to carry out simple breeding procedures 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 industry sector workplace in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions This can include work with native exotic or domestic animals in large or small animal care or research facilities andor situations

There must be access to a range of animals relevant to the work role as well as the required 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 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

case studies

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

Basic principles of genetics may include:

Breeding program may include:

Animals may include:

Animal welfare and ethical practice principles include:

Animals may be monitored to determine current reproductive cycle status through:

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

Appropriate environment for mating may consider:

Breeding systems and mating methods may include:

Suitable media to assist with birth or hatching may include:

Signs of hatching or parturition may include:

Monitoring may include:

Post-weaning management may include:

Breeding records may include: