ACMCAS408A
Manage the operation of a mobile hydro-bathing facility

This Unit of Competency covers the process of managing the set-up, operation, cleaning and pack-up of a mobile hydro-bathing facility.

Application

This Unit is applicable to those working in the companion animal industry where a mobile hydro-bathing facility is operated. This Unit relates to the management of a mobile hydro-bathing facility. Providing companion animal hydro-bathing services is covered by ACMCAS307A Provide animal companion hydro-bathing services. 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.


Prerequisites

Nil.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Set up mobile hydro-bath

1.1 Location for hydro-bath service and access to power and water are confirmed with client.

1.2 On-site risks are identified and managed in accordance with workplace health and safety, traffic control and waste disposal regulations.

1.3 Mobile unit and trailer is positioned and secured in a safe and easily accessible area in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

1.4 Appropriate hoses are connected to water supply and drainage systems at the client's residence in accordance with legislative requirements.

1.5 Materials and equipment are unloaded and prepared ready for provision of hydro-bathing services.

2. Clean and pack up hydro-bath

2.1 Hydro-bath and associated equipment are cleanedand disinfected in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

2.2 Waste is disposed of in accordance with relevant legislative requirements.

2.3 Consumables and other equipment are checked and packed into mobile unit.

2.4 Mobile unit is secured and safety check conducted ready for removal from site.

2.5 Relevant documentation is completed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

Required Skills

Required skills include:

Ability to:

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

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

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 documents

operate and maintain mobile hydro-baths in accordance with manufacturer's instructions

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:

Knowledge of:

relevant bathing materials and equipment

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 work practices

safety check procedures for mobile unit

traffic control regulations

use and maintenance of a range of bathing and rinsing equipment

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

Evidence Required

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:

effectively maintain and operate a mobile hydro-bath facility

identify risks related to workplace health and safety, traffic control and animal welfare and implement minimisation strategies

comply with hygiene standards and infection control protocols

maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to manage the operation of a mobile hydro-bathing facility 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 in companion animal organisations that offer mobile hydro-bathing services or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a range of companion animal breeds, a mobile hydro-bathing unit 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).


Range Statement

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.

Risks in capturing, handling and mobile bathing of animals at various on-site venues may include:

aggressive animal behaviour

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

disposal of waste on-site

heat stress and reaction to dryer/dryer stress

potential anxiety of animal when being handled by strangers

potential injuries to humans during capturing, handling and bathing processes

potential stress and injury to animals during handling, bathing and drying

location hazards, such as unsafe footing inadequate shelter and exposure to other distractions

potential interference from owner or representative that could impact on operator and animal safety

potential need for animal handling assistance that may only be available from an owner or representative with inadequate training or experience

reaction to washing and grooming chemicals

road worthiness of vehicle and mobile hydro-bath

safety of on-site power and water sources

security of venue:

animal safe fencing in good repair

collection and storage of fee for service

personal safety if working alone

restriction of access to immediate area by general public and other animals

unfamiliarity of animal to washing equipment and processes

venue access for mobile hydro-bath.

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.

Materials and equipment may include:

brushes, combs, sprayers, polishing pads and towels

detangling lotion

coat dryers

grooming stands

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

wash tubs and hydro-baths

shampoo and other coat cleaning products.

Hydro-bath and equipment cleaning may include:

checking equipment for damage and wear and tear

disinfecting equipment using approved chemicals and processes

drying, lubricating and protecting parts as required

pumping out grey water into approved waste water system

removing hair and debris from waste traps and filters.

Safety check procedures for mobile unit may include:

tow vehicle:

tow ball

trailer connectors and fittings

brakes

tyre condition and pressure

hydro-bath trailer:

electrics and indicator lights (12 volt)

electrics that run off mains power (240 volt) including test and tag

electrical safety switch

coupling

frame and wheel bearings

power leads, water hoses and other connections to be used on-site

trailer brake and chains

water and waste tanks

tyre condition and pressure

stowage of materials and equipment:

chemicals, equipment and materials stocktake completed and items secured to prevent theft in transit

equipment and materials stowed to prevent dislodging during transport to site.

Documentation may include:

diary of appointments, descriptions of animals to be bathed and actual work carried out

equipment and supplies records

invoice book

incident reports

time logs for work completed

vehicle log book.


Sectors

Companion animal services


Employability Skills

This Unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this Unit at the time of publication.