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

ACMCAS407A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Provide professional companion animal grooming services

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ACMCAS407A - Provide professional companion animal grooming services
Description This Unit of Competency covers the process of providing professional pattern and style grooming services for companion animals.
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 pattern and style grooming services are provided for companion animals at their home or at a companion animal facility. 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: Assess grooming needs
  • Grooming needs of animals are established with client.
  • Animal's coat length and condition, including condition of the ears, eyes and toenails, are assessed in relation to its age and breed.
  • Animal is checked for parasitic infection.
  • General health and temperament of animal is checked with the client and documented.
  • Observations of the animal's condition are reported to client.
  • Client is informed of grooming procedures and advised regarding required maintenance regimes for the animal's coat and/or condition.
       
Element: Prepare animal and grooming environment
  • Risks associated with grooming nominated animals are determined and managed in accordance with workplace health and safety and animal welfare requirements.
  • Appropriate grooming pattern and style are identified in accordance with breed standards, client preference, health of the animal and condition of its coat.
  • Grooming equipment and supplies relevant for the condition of the coat, its pattern and style are selected and prepared.
  • Animal is restrained and handled safely and humanely in accordance with its age, health and breed characteristics.
       
Element: Perform grooming services
  • Pre-bathing procedures, including brushing and de-matting, are carried out as required.
  • Animal is bathed, rinsed and dried using appropriate bathing procedures in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Grooming equipment is operated safely and correctly in accordance with organisational grooming procedures and manufacturers' instructions.
  • Animal's coat is styled as required using industry-recognised grooming techniques and in accordance with pattern, style and client requirements.
  • Additional grooming services are completed as required.
       
Element: Complete grooming services
  • Animal is housed safely and monitored until owners arrival.
  • Grooming equipment and area is cleaned and returned to storage, supplies audited and documents.
  • Waste material is collected and disposed of in accordance with environmental and legislative requirements.
  • Grooming services are documented and business records updated for compliance and invoicing requirements.
  • Animals are returned to client, advice on home-grooming care is provided 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 pattern and style grooming requirements with client/owner

apply industry recognised bathing and grooming methods and procedures for different breeds of companion animals

handle animals in a safe and humane manner

operate and maintain grooming equipment and supplies in accordance with organisational standards and manufacturers' specifications

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 professional companion animal grooming services 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 animal pattern and style 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 first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party 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 (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 pattern and style grooming techniques, procedures and associated range of treatments

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

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

follow-up with clients in relation to future grooming services in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

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

maintain records and complete relevant workplace documentation

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 and asking for clarification

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge includes:

Ability to:

basic animal anatomy and physiology related to grooming procedures

industry recognised animal pattern and style grooming techniques, procedures and equipment

normal and abnormal animal behaviour and traits for relevant species

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant grooming products and services

relevant legislative and regulatory compliance requirements, including the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice, companion animal legislation, local council regulations, microchipping, animal welfare legislation and wildlife regulations

relevant organisational policies and procedures, including workplace health and safety and emergency procedures, animal welfare requirements, hygiene standards and waste disposal regulations

relevant recordkeeping systems

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.

Animals may include:

most commonly, dogs and cats

other small animals:

rabbits, rodents, ferrets and guinea pigs.

Parasitic infestations may include:

external parasites:

fleas, mites, lice, ticks, flies and midges.

General health and temperament may include:

current body, skin and coat condition

known allergies or other health problems

habits and behavioural traits

history of previous grooming experience

injuries or other issues either reported or observed

preferred restraint

vaccination status.

Risks

Risks in capture, handling and grooming of animals may include:

aggressive animal behaviour

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

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

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.

Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, kicks, and scratches

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

gas leakage

handling of chemicals and medicines

heat stress and reaction to dryers/dryer stress

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 pattern and style characteristics may include:

breed specific clipping regulations and standards for competition or working animals

coat thinning, cutting, shaving and pattern trimming

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.

Grooming equipment may include:

brushes and combs

coat cleaning and conditioning products

coat clippers (e.g. electric, rechargeable, hand operated and assorted clipping blades)

detangling and debris removing products

dryers

files

grooming stands

polishing pads and towels

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

scissor and shears, tweezers and stripping knives.

Waste material may include:

bath water

chemicals, shampoos and conditioners

empty containers and disposable gloves

faeces

hair and nails

washing and drying cloths.

Business record compliance and invoicing requirements may include:

appointment book

client records

daily takings record

hours worked

invoice that is compliant with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements

price list for services and products

services and treatments completed record.

Advice on home grooming care may include:

advising of any health issues noticed during grooming or inspection of animal

advising of any injury or illness issues that have occurred during grooming

booking future appointments

further parasite control requirements

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

providing literature on services or care

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
Grooming needs of animals are established with client. 
Animal's coat length and condition, including condition of the ears, eyes and toenails, are assessed in relation to its age and breed. 
Animal is checked for parasitic infection. 
General health and temperament of animal is checked with the client and documented. 
Observations of the animal's condition are reported to client. 
Client is informed of grooming procedures and advised regarding required maintenance regimes for the animal's coat and/or condition. 
Risks associated with grooming nominated animals are determined and managed in accordance with workplace health and safety and animal welfare requirements. 
Appropriate grooming pattern and style are identified in accordance with breed standards, client preference, health of the animal and condition of its coat. 
Grooming equipment and supplies relevant for the condition of the coat, its pattern and style are selected and prepared. 
Animal is restrained and handled safely and humanely in accordance with its age, health and breed characteristics. 
Pre-bathing procedures, including brushing and de-matting, are carried out as required. 
Animal is bathed, rinsed and dried using appropriate bathing procedures in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 
Grooming equipment is operated safely and correctly in accordance with organisational grooming procedures and manufacturers' instructions. 
Animal's coat is styled as required using industry-recognised grooming techniques and in accordance with pattern, style and client requirements. 
Additional grooming services are completed as required. 
Animal is housed safely and monitored until owners arrival. 
Grooming equipment and area is cleaned and returned to storage, supplies audited and documents. 
Waste material is collected and disposed of in accordance with environmental and legislative requirements. 
Grooming services are documented and business records updated for compliance and invoicing requirements. 
Animals are returned to client, advice on home-grooming care is provided and any follow-up requirements are discussed. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMCAS407A - Provide professional companion animal grooming services
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

ACMCAS407A - Provide professional companion animal grooming services

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: