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:

identify the specific characteristics and needs of amphibians and apply these to the best practice industry standard of housing, socialising, feeding and health management

classify and identify amphibians by age, sex, reproductive status, condition, colours, markings and other identifying features using industry terminology

safely and humanely catch, handle and restrain amphibians

assess water quality for suitability for maintained species

report and document treatments, behaviours and other information on individual animals in accordance with animal welfare regulations, industry standards and workplace protocols and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of amphibians 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 most appropriately be assessed against the types of processes required in the industry sector in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include animal shelters or rehabilitation organisations, pet shops, zoos and wildlife parks or similar workplaces.

There must be access to a range of amphibians as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. Assessment must cover a minimum of three commonly available amphibian species.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's 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 responsibilities over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy 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).

Required skills

complete relevant work-related documents and maintain accurate animal records

comply with OHS, animal care, ethics and industry codes of conduct, regulations and legislations

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with, restraining and handling amphibians

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

measure, interpret and record amphibian weight, length and other relevant objective indicators of change in physiological status

monitor amphibian health, condition and behaviour and recognise normal and abnormal signs

monitor water quality parameters using physical and chemical assessments and tests

prepare doses for treatments as directed and verified by supervisor

provide basic first aid to amphibians as required under supervision

use equipment and materials correctly and in accordance with manufacturers' specifications

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and animal welfare; follow sequenced written instructions; and record information accurately and legibly

oral communication skills/language to fulfil 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

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

problem-solving skills to assess appropriate practices and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge

anatomical and physiological terminology and glossary of terms

anatomical structures and physiological features related to basic care requirements for amphibians

awareness of natural amphibian behaviour relating to the characteristics of the species, age, health status, behavioural and social needs and the signs of distress, illness and undesirable behaviours

basic amphibian care and hygiene principles

basic amphibian first aid techniques

basic water chemical parameters and physical indicators of water quality relevant to the care and husbandry of amphibians

common aeration and filtration systems

housing, social and activity needs of amphibians and environmental impacts on health and wellbeing

methods of transmission of disease and infection

organisational policies and procedures regarding the care and health maintenance of amphibians

personal protective clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used

physical conditions and vital signs of amphibians

potential hazards and risks to animals and staff during feeding and cleaning of housing

relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, including OHS, animal welfare and ethics

safe amphibian handling techniques and procedures, potential hazards and control measures

terminology and language variations used by workplace staff and the public to describe amphibians, their behaviour, status, health and treatments

terminology used to describe and document health and behavioural signs, including desirable and undesirable features

types of food and food supplements and their role in amphibian diets, including natural dietary requirements for specific species

types of information that has to be reported and recorded in animal care workplaces

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.

Commonly available amphibians may include:

frogs

newts

salamanders

toads.

Behavioural characteristics may include:

behaviour characteristics can vary according to:

the breeding season

the species, breed, age and sex of the animals

the time of day or night

behaviour characteristics associated with different species:

activity levels at certain times of day or night

feeding and foraging

fight or flight

social interaction

feeding behaviours

defensive behaviour:

defending territory, other animals or food

aggression or hiding or retreating.

Colours, markings and other identifying features may include:

age, sex, sexual maturity and size

coat or skin colours and texture

eye colour

markings, patterns and permanent scars

microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands.

Indicators of poor water quality may include:

colour

odour

unsuitable water chemistry parameters.

Water quality adjustments may involve:

correcting chemical imbalances

partial water change

raising or lowering pH or hardness.

Indicators of animal comfort and normal behaviour may be identified through:

daily observation and visual examination is the best way to establish the appearance of a healthy amphibian and at the same time allows detection of changes from normal. These observations will include:

posture and attitude in and out of water

activity level in and out of water

response to stimuli, including handling

withdrawal reflex and ability to right itself

assessment of body condition

assessment of state of hydration

appetite and dietary history

observing faecal matter for any abnormalities.

Housing design and environmental factors may include:

environmental:

aeration rates and supply

biological control of waste

cleaning routines and methods

correct humidity levels

day/night cycle lighting

drainage and weather protection

filtration requirements to maintain the water quality and optimal environmental conditions for target species

fundamentals of the biological process

general animal housing security

housing furniture

out of direct sunlight

water quality

ventilation, temperature, heating and cooling requirements

water flow rates and currents

housing design:

housing options:

indoor

outdoor

aquarium

vivarium

housing requirements:

compatibility of species housed together

food and water distribution

location considerations

longevity and sturdiness of materials

maintains ambient temperature conditions for the specific species

provides continuous access to water free of ammonia or chlorine

provides generous ventilation and is safe from fumes and vapours:

insecticides

cleaning agents

required floor area, vertical and/or horizontal space for specific species

security considerations

species-specific options for animals to hide or rest

substrate appropriate to the specific species

designs that allow for enrichment activities or species-specific activity, feeding or socialising

social options:

solitary

pairs

single sexed groups

polyandrous/polygynous groups

mixed species.

Enrichment needs may include:

food or food-related enrichment:

giving animals opportunities to forage for food by hiding it in substrates or hunt by movement

physical enrichment items:

basking/perching sites

burrowing substrate , if applicable

plants and foliage

retreats

rocks or artificial rocks

shredded paper or leaf litter

social enrichment:

levels of contact with other animals of the same species or breed.

Welfare of animals requirements may include:

adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels

compliance to relevant state or territory legislation and regulations

enrichment opportunities

the absence of predators, pests and vermin

the compatibility of species, breeds and sexes.

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

electrical hazards enhanced by the presence of water

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.

Methods used to approach and handle amphibians may include:

approaching and handling as quietly as possible with the following considerations:

animal should be supported by the palm of the hand with the other hand placed over its shoulders to prevent escape

darkened conditions tend to calm the animals and reduce stress reactions

standard hygiene procedures should be followed, including the use of gloves

handling of amphibians should always be kept to a minimum to ensure the amphibian is not stressed or accidentally injured.

Common health issues may include:

behavioural disorders

environmental hazards:

contamination of water due to presence of toxins

exposure to extremes of water quality

exposure to the elements

inadequate activity

temperature extremes

ventilation

infectious diseases caused by:

bacteria, virus, fungus and protozoa

internal and external parasites

non-infection diseases:

chemical toxicities and allergies

genetic disorders

metabolic

neoplastic

nutritional imbalances and disruptions

physical traumas

zoonotic diseases.

General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include:

routine health check-up

control of parasites

immunisation/vaccinations as required

insect control

temperature, heat and light requirements for specific species

quarantine

routine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination

water quality.

Digestive system features may include:

anatomical features:

mouth structures

digestive chemicals and bacteria

alimentary canal and stomach

intestines, rectum and anus

physiological features:

eating processes

nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods

waste elimination

feeding patterns and natural dietary requirements for the species

potential digestive system malfunctions or problems

water needs.

Food source considerations include:

captive diets must be similar to the natural diet of the species to:

minimise the impact of captivity

stimulate normal digestive function

maximise development of natural survival techniques

food sources include:

dietary supplements

live food.

Feeding hazards may include:

animal movement and handling

shelf life of foodstuffs

manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment

contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources

organic and other dusts

excessive noise

possibility of zoonotic infection.

Documentation on the care and management of amphibians may include:

accident and incident records

chemical and veterinary supplies register

detailed and accurate records for each animal:

species and sex of animal

identification and history

feeding, health and treatment records

diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records

equipment use, damage and repair register

OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records

provisions records of current stock and items used and items required

stock control records

water chemistry and quality records

water change frequencies and amounts.