This unit is applicable to new entrants to the animal care and management industry. Animal care may occur in a wide variety of workplaces, including retail pet stores, kennels and catteries, shelters, veterinary practices, zoos, animal research facilities and others.

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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Contribute to a productive work environment

1.1. Information on working in the industry, including employment terms and conditions is collected and interpreted.

1.2. Personal work practices are performed to contribute positively to quality, productivity and effective relationships in the work environment.

1.3. Industry and workplace-specific management structures and lines of reporting are complied with.

1.4. Work schedule is followed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

1.5. Job-specific work practices are performed to comply with the principles of ethical conduct, occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines, environmental processes and industry best practice.

1.6. The need for workplace confidentiality is understood and observed.

2. Recognise animals in the workplace

2.1. A range of animals commonly found in the workplace is identified in accordance with organisational requirements.

2.2. Animals are described using identifiable characteristics.

3. Use industry terminology

3.1. Industry terminology related to work personnel, equipment and work practices is interpreted and used in work activities

3.2. Language style, terminology and manner used are appropriate to those being communicated with.

4. Incorporate animal needs in conduct of work practices

4.1. Animal facilities and workplace protocols are evaluated in relation to animal needs.

4.2. Work routines are completed with consideration of animal health and wellbeing priorities.

4.3. Animal handling and interaction is conducted with consideration of the social and behavioural characteristics of animals.

4.4. Hygiene protocols are completed to ensure animal health.

4.5. Security protocols are completed to ensure animal safety.

Required skills

comply with hygiene practices to ensure human and animal health

comply with OHS and animal welfare legislations and regulations

comply with workplace confidentiality requirements

follow sequenced written instructions, and record information accurately and legibly

interpret and use industry terminology in a range of situations

interpret workplace duties and conditions of employment

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS

oral communication skills/language to fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

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

problem-solving skills to select required materials and equipment and prioritise tasks

use safe and approved animal handling techniques.

Required knowledge

animal temperaments and behaviours in order to develop an understanding of the associated hazards and risks

appropriate behaviour relating to anti-discrimination and sexual harassment

basic legislative and regulatory compliance requirements in animal care workplaces

common diseases, ailments, injuries and other impacts on animal health and wellbeing

communication procedures, systems, and technology relevant to the organisation and the individual's work responsibilities

effective communication in a work team

environmental impacts on animal health and wellbeing

general job responsibilities in a range of animal care sectors

hazards associated with handling animals and control measures

housing, exercise, social and activity needs of animals

industry employment terms and conditions and career pathways

industry expectations of conduct, presentation and work performance, including quality and productivity

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

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

zoonotic diseases associated with animal care and methods of prevention and control.

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:

conduct animal care work practices with consideration to animal needs in an ethical and humane manner

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

communicate effectively with supervisor and other staff using industry related terminology and follow task instructions to complete work activities.

The skills and knowledge required to work in the animal care industry 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 ananimal care workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries, aviaries, companion animal training, grooming establishments, animal shelters, zoos, mobile animal facilities, veterinary practices.

There must be access to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

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 where possible, 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

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).

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.

Industry information may include:

services available in each sector:

animal technology, including biomedical research

animal control and regulation

captive animals

companion animal services

veterinary practices

relationships between sectors and other industries

industry work conditions

legislation that affects the industry

industrial relations and employment terms and conditions

career opportunities within the industry

appropriate industry work ethics

industry quality assurance standards.

Policies and procedures may include:

animal welfare, including ethical use of animals for scientific or teaching purposes

environmental sustainability practices

infection control plans

quality assurance systems

standard operating procedures.

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, envenomation, 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.

Range of animals may include:

animals commonly encountered within the industry workplace and may cover both native and introduced species.

Identifiable animal characteristics may include:

age, sex and size

coat or skin colours and texture

eye colour

markings, patterns and permanent scars

toe nail colour

microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands

movement and behaviour of animals.

Work routines may include:

assisting others in completion of tasks within limits of current level of competence

catching and handling animals under supervision

checking animals for signs of distress, illness and injury

checking security and repair of animal housing, equipment and general facility

cleaning and grooming animals under supervision

cleaning and preparation of animal cages, enclosures, exhibits, displays, general work areas, office, reception and customer service areas

confirming all animals are in their cages or enclosures

documenting work tasks in accordance with workplace procedures

operating general equipment used to complete workplace cleaning routines

picking up rubbish, removing branches or other unsightly items not part of exhibit or animal housing

reporting animal health concerns to supervisor

stocktaking and re-supply of items

timeframes for completing tasks.

Hygiene protocols may include:

appropriate reprocessing of reusable equipment

aseptic technique

housing and work area cleaning and disinfecting standards

personal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands before and after animal contact and/or any activity likely to cause cross-contamination

safe handling and disposal of sharps and other clinical, related and general waste

surface cleaning and management of blood and bodily fluid spills

use of personal protective clothing and equipment and change as appropriate for the intended use.

Security protocols may include:

checking for pests within animal housing or enclosures

checking there are no unauthorised people in animal enclosures

checking that locks and slides are in good working order

ensuring animals are safe and secure in their housing

ensuring medications and treatments are stored in accordance with legislative requirements

identifying any animal housing faults that may result in escape

maintaining structures in good order.

Unit sector

Animal studies

This unit contains employability skills.