What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole

The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below

Assessment must confirm ones ability to

oObserve and monitor the health and general wellbeing of animals

cCommunicate effectively with clients and staff

mMaintain a hygienic work environment

aAdminister animal treatments as directed

cCreate and maintain an appropriate environment to care for companion animals

mMaintain accurate health records

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed belowlisted below and include

oOrganisational policies and procedures including OHS and hygiene standards

relevant lLegislation relevant to the job role

wWorking knowledge of male and female anatomy and physiology

nNormal and abnormal animal behaviour for relevant species

cConcept of socialisation

fFeeding and husbandry requirements for handrearedartifically raised animals

pProtocols for hazard identification and risk minimisation

tTransmission of diseases between animals

sSigns and symptoms of disease and parasitic infestations

Role of stressorsdisease development

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria some complementary skills are required These skills areskills include

aAbility to apply organisational policies and procedures

ability to iIdentify obvious signs of illness

aAbility to differentiate between critical and noncritical incidents

ability to rRecognise behaviour or conditions that could be indicative of possible animal health problems

literacy skills to read and follow OHS and waste management procedures and other organisational policies and procedures select and apply the procedures to perform a range of defined tasks follow treatment instructions and record accurately and legibly the information collectedLiteracy skills to read and follow OHS and waste management procedures other organisational policies and procedures ability to select and apply the procedures to perform a range of tasks follow treatment instructions record accurately and legibly information collected

oral communication skills language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning techniques active listening asking for clarification from supervisor and consulting with supervisorOral communication skills language competence required to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation Skills include questioning techniques active listening asking for clarification from supervisor consulting with supervisor

nNumeracy skills required to complete arithmetic calculations and the ability to measure doses

Interpersonal skills required include working with others and an ability to relate to persons from differing cultural social and religious backgrounds

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

pProblem solving skills required include an ability to use available resources and to prioritise daily tasks

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency

For valid assessment one must have opportunities to participate in a range of exercises case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to participate in monitorcaring and maintaining the health offor companion animals They One must also have access to the resources listed belowbelow that include

an appropriate companion animal workplace or an environment whichenvironment that reproduces normal workingwork conditions

access to equipment andorand or resources normally used in the workplace

access to a range of companion animal species and breeds

organisational policiesy and procedures including OHS and relevant legislation

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance

To ensure consistency in ones performance competency should be demonstrated 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 skills and knowledge required to monitor and maintain the health ofcare for companion animals must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events For example tThis could include work within small and large city regional and ruralemote pet shops boarding kennels and catteries companion animal training grooming andorand or breeding establishments and mobile companion animal facilities

What considerations should there be for context of assessment

Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a companion animal workplace or in a situation whichsituation that reproduces normal workingwork conditions

There must be access in either situation to the appropriate equipment andorand or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency

What processes should be applied to this unit of competency

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions Some of these are covered by the key competencies although others may be added The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this unit of competency Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where not required perform the process perform and administer the process and perform administer and design the process

How can communication of ideas and information be applied

By discussing aAnimal health and well beingwellbeing issues raised and discussed with supervisor

How can information be collected analysed and organised

By maintaining aAnimal health records maintained in accordance with organisational policy and procedurespolicies and procedures

How are activities planned and organised

Through planning a care program for animals with special needs

How can teamwork be applied

By working with others to achieve agreed outcomes

How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied

By administering animal treatments as directed

How can problemsolving skills be applied

By assessing an animals specific needs and developing suitable care programs

How can the use of technology be applied

By using the internetInternet to research animal behaviour and health issues

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function for example

RUVA Care for young animals

RUV3411A Care for young animals.

What type of OHS procedures would be relevant in this context?

What are examples of animal diseases?

What may be regarded as abnormal animal behaviour?

What are signs ofillness or injury?

What are examples of parasitic infestations?

How might animal treatments be administered?

What are examples of preventative medicine programs?