Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

ACMCAS306A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Provide grooming services for companion animal comfort

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ACMCAS306A - Provide grooming services for companion animal comfort
Description This Unit of Competency covers the process of providing animal grooming services for companion animals to maintain/restore animal comfort within an established grooming environment.
Employability Skills This Unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This Unit is applicable to those working in the companion animal industry sector where grooming services are provided under supervision. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all Units of Competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Nil.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Establish client requirements
  • Breed type grooming characteristics are identified.
  • Animal profile is established.
  • Animal condition is evaluated.
  • Owner's desired outcome is established.
       
Element: Plan grooming routine
  • Risks associated with grooming nominated animals are determined and minimised in accordance with workplace health and safety and animal welfare requirements.
  • Time limitations, budget and available facilities are considered in preparing grooming plan.
  • Grooming plan is confirmed with supervisor based on animal and client needs.
  • Grooming equipment and supplies are prepared.
  • Order of grooming activities is determined.
       
Element: Groom animals
  • Animals are restrained for grooming and monitored for signs of distress.
  • Grooming techniques used to address matted or knotted coat are implemented.
  • Grooming techniques to treat external parasites are implemented.
  • Coat is groomed.
  • Techniques used to clip or file nails are implemented.
       
Element: Trim coat for animal comfort
  • Tools used for coat trimming are selected and prepared.
  • Risks associated with using coat trimming equipment are identified and minimised in accordance with workplace health and safety and animal welfare requirements.
  • Techniques used to trim coat to restore animal comfort are implemented.
  • Techniques used to remove hair from ears are justified and implemented.
       
Element: Complete grooming and trimming procedures
  • Animal is housed safely and monitored until owners arrival.
  • Grooming equipment and area is cleaned and returned to storage, supplies audited and documented.
  • Waste material is collected and disposed of in accordance with environmental and legislative requirements.
  • Grooming services are documented for invoicing.
  • Animals are returned to owner, grooming plan is reviewed with supervisor and any follow-up requirements are discussed.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 animal's coat and determine grooming requirements with client/owner

follow workplace instructions to apply industry recognised grooming methods and procedures for different breeds of companion animals to maintain/restore animal comfort

handle animals in a safe and humane manner

use and maintain grooming equipment and supplies in accordance with organisational standards and manufacturers' specifications under supervision

build relationships and communicate effectively with clients regarding appropriate grooming requirements

maintain records and follow-up with clients as required.

The skills and knowledge required to provide grooming services for companion animal comfort 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 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 and/or 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 and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party evidence

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 (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. 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).


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills include:

Ability to:

apply a range of industry recognised grooming procedures to maintain animal comfort in consultation with supervisor

apply problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

complete relevant work-related documents

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 organisation policies, procedures and requirements

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

identify animals using common names

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

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 skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with supervisors

use numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations and measure volumes

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

basic animal anatomy and physiology related to grooming procedures

industry recognised maintenance and restoration animal grooming techniques, procedures and equipment

normal and abnormal animal behaviour and traits for relevant species

organisation policies, procedures and requirements, including workplace health and safety and emergency procedures, hygiene standards and waste disposal regulations

principles of animal ethics and welfare

relevant grooming products and services

relevant recordkeeping systems

relevant workplace health and safetyand animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

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 range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Breed type grooming characteristics may include:

breed-specific clipping regulations and standards for competition animals

metabolic and other animal health issues that may be impacted by coat condition, grooming methods and equipment

techniques used to groom animals to ensure their comfort in various climatic and lifestyle conditions.

Animal profile information may include:

breed or type

age, sex and reproductive status

contact details for owner

current body, skin and coat condition

known allergies or other health problems

history of previous grooming experience

injuries or other issues either reported or observed

vaccination status.

Risks

Risks in capture, handling and grooming animals may include:

aggressive animal behaviour

escape of animals and subsequent threat to safety of humans and other animals

heat stress and reaction to dryers/dryer stress

potential anxiety of animal when being handled by strangers

potential injuries to humans during capture, handling and grooming processes

potential stress and injury to animals during handling and grooming such as:

brush burns

clipper rash

dryer burn

heat stroke

nail bleeding

reaction to washing and grooming chemicals

transmission of disease and infection to humans and other animals

unfamiliarity of animal to grooming and washing equipment and processes to animals

use of water in close vicinity of electrical equipment.

Workplace health and safety risks when handling animals may include:

animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Grooming Equipment may include:

brushes, combs, files, polishing pads and towels

coat cleaning and conditioning products

detangling and debris removing products

grooming stands

restraining equipment (e.g. collars, leads, muzzles and harnesses)

scissors, clippers, tweezers and stripping knives.

Signs of distress may include:

aggressive behaviour

inappetence

subdued behaviour

trembling

vocalisation.

Grooming techniques may include:

clean ears, eyes and teeth

detangle coat or hair

file or clip nails and horns

inspect animals for parasites and other health issues

remove and control external parasites

remove dander or scurf from skin

remove dirt, debris and contaminants from the coat and skin

remove old coat

restrain animal during grooming

stimulate skin and coat health by brushing and basic massage.

Coat trimming and equipment may include:

clipping techniques:

for ease of animal care

to remove excess hair in ears

to remove knots and contaminants in coat

equipment:

coat clippers, including electric, rechargeable, hand operated and assorted clipping blades

scissor and shears or various sizes

stripping knives and tweezers.

Grooming plan review may include:

further parasite control requirements

identifying follow-up grooming schedule to maintain coat and skin in optimal condition

reporting on animal behaviour during grooming to supervisor

reporting any injury or illness issues that have occurred during grooming to supervisor

reporting any health issues noticed during grooming or inspection of animal to supervisor

suggesting grooming or care products for home use.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Breed type grooming characteristics are identified. 
Animal profile is established. 
Animal condition is evaluated. 
Owner's desired outcome is established. 
Risks associated with grooming nominated animals are determined and minimised in accordance with workplace health and safety and animal welfare requirements. 
Time limitations, budget and available facilities are considered in preparing grooming plan. 
Grooming plan is confirmed with supervisor based on animal and client needs. 
Grooming equipment and supplies are prepared. 
Order of grooming activities is determined. 
Animals are restrained for grooming and monitored for signs of distress. 
Grooming techniques used to address matted or knotted coat are implemented. 
Grooming techniques to treat external parasites are implemented. 
Coat is groomed. 
Techniques used to clip or file nails are implemented. 
Tools used for coat trimming are selected and prepared. 
Risks associated with using coat trimming equipment are identified and minimised in accordance with workplace health and safety and animal welfare requirements. 
Techniques used to trim coat to restore animal comfort are implemented. 
Techniques used to remove hair from ears are justified and implemented. 
Animal is housed safely and monitored until owners arrival. 
Grooming equipment and area is cleaned and returned to storage, supplies audited and documented. 
Waste material is collected and disposed of in accordance with environmental and legislative requirements. 
Grooming services are documented for invoicing. 
Animals are returned to owner, grooming plan is reviewed with supervisor and any follow-up requirements are discussed. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMCAS306A - Provide grooming services for companion animal comfort
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

ACMCAS306A - Provide grooming services for companion animal comfort

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: