ACMCAS306A

Provide grooming services for companion animal comfort

ACMCAS307A

Provide companion animal hydro-bathing services

ACMSPE305A

Provide basic care of domestic cats

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify cats within the cat breed group 1 as recognised in Australia

1.1 Classification of cats as group 1 breeds is determined.

1.2 Range of cats and coat types within group 1 are identified.

1.3 Requirements of cats within the Cat breed group 1 for grooming to show standards are identified.

2. Identify cats within the cat breed group 2 as recognised in Australia

2.1 Classification of cats as group 2 breeds is determined.

2.2 Range of cats and coat types within group 2 are identified.

2.3 Requirements of cats within the Cat breed group 2 for grooming to show standards are identified.

3. Identify cats within the cat breed group 3 as recognised in Australia

3.1 Classification of cats as group 3 breeds is determined.

3.2 Range of cats and coat types within group 3 are identified.

3.3 Requirements of cats within the Cat breed group 3 for grooming to show standards are identified.

4. Prepare cats for styling

4.1 Risks associated with grooming cats are determined and minimised in accordance with Workplace health and safety and animal welfare requirement.

4.2 Coat condition and impact on general health of cat are evaluated and discussed with client to determine the cat’s styling needs.

4.3 Styling is planned for individual cat’s needs

4.4 Cats are restrained for styling and monitored for signs of stress.

4.5 Nails are trimmed and nail caps applied, if requested.

4.6 Cats are clipped to remove mats if it is determined that this is the best option for cat health and comfort, or if a full-clip has been requested by client.

4.7 Cats are groomed to remove excess coat, knots, mats and debris.

4.8 Sanitary or belly clip is performed, if required.

4.9 External evacuation of anal glands is performed, if required.

4.10 Face trim is performed as required by breed standard, if required.

5. Wash and dry cats

5.1 Cat bathing products are selected and prepared according to skin and coat types.

5.2 Bathing techniques and products are used to clean cats and enhance coat properties.

5.3 Eyes, ears and face wrinkles are cleaned.

5.4 Coats are dried according to coat types and breed requirements.

5.5 Post wash grooming products are applied to manage coat and skin characteristics.

6. Groom and style cat coats

6.1 Clip styles for cat breeds and coat types are identified.

6.2 Techniques used to establish and maintain clip types for cat breeds and coat types are performed.

6.3 Scissoring and hand finishing techniques are used to complete styling of cat breeds.

6.4 Grooming techniques are used to complete cat breed standards and coat types.

7. Complete post styling procedures

7.1 Techniques for maintaining breed and coat types between styling sessions are explained to clients.

7.2 Records are updated.

7.3 Equipment is cleaned and maintained.

7.4 Styling area is cleaned and waste disposed of with consideration to environmental and biosecurity hazards.

Required skills include:

Ability to:

apply a range of industry recognised styling procedures for different cat coat types and breed standards

apply problem solving skills using available information and resources and prioritising daily tasks

complete relevant work-related documents

differentiate between show standard and comfort styling techniques for cats

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, humane 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 workplace policies, procedures and requirements

identify cat behavioural characteristics and use cat handling and restraint techniques to ensure cat and staff safety

identify cat coat types and determine coat characteristics

identify grooming and styling tools and equipment, selecting and using for specific purpose and maintaining in accordance with manufacturers' specifications

introduce kittens and inexperienced cats to grooming and styling procedures

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

select and apply styling products for different coat types and conditions

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 including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with others

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

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe, hygienic and environmentally friendly waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

cat anatomy and physiology related to grooming procedures and products

cat grooming and styling products, techniques and services

cat behaviour traits, signs of distress or illness

Cat Council of Australia cat breed standards

industry recognised grooming and styling establishment, maintenance and restoration techniques, procedures and equipment for Cat fancy and non-show cat coat types and conditions

workplace health and safety and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

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 recordkeeping systems

safe cat handling and restraint techniques and procedures

safe work practices

show grooming requirements for cat fancy breed standards and coat types

techniques used to introduce kittens and inexperienced cats to grooming and styling

use and maintenance of a range of grooming and styling equipment

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

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 styling requirements with client/owner

follow workplace instructions to apply industry recognised grooming and styling techniques to:

establish/maintain/restore coat, breed and conformation features for cats

establish/maintain/restore coats for non-show cat care and comfort

remove excess coat, mats or knots to restore coats for cat comfort and hygiene

handle cats in a safe and humane manner

select, use and maintain grooming and styling equipment and supplies in accordance with organisational standards, manufacturers' specifications and cat welfare considerations

build relationships and communicate effectively with clients relating to the on-going management of grooming and styling of their cat

maintain records and follow-up with clients as required.

The skills and knowledge required to carry out styling on cats of different breed and coat type 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 specialist cat grooming and styling services aligned with Australian cat breed standards as well as general cat care or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a range of cats of different breeds and coat types from cat breed groups 1, 2 and 3 as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of performance, competency must be demonstrated, to industry recognised grooming and styling technique standards, on more than one occasion, covering at least two of the following three coat types:

short-haired

long-haired

dense-thick coat,

and demonstration of the following clip types:

sanitary

full underline/belly area

full body.

Assessment must take place 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 records that provide evidence of practical skills.

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.

Breed groups as recognised in Australia

There are several bodies that manage cat breeds in Australia but for the purpose of this Unit the cat breeds recognised by the Coordinating Cat Control Council of Australia standards will be used.

Risks associated with grooming cats may include:

allergic reactions to chemicals in products

cats escaping during styling

disease transmission from cats to people or other cats

distress caused by cats being handled in unfamiliar locations or in areas with distractions cased by other animals, noise or a busy atmosphere

injuries to cats or groomers during handling or styling

skin cuts from clipping or scissoring.

Products may include:

anti static spray

baby powder

corn starch

de-tangler

deodorising

degreaser

dry cleaning shampoo,

parasite treatments

shampoo for specific coat and skin types.

Clip styles for cat breeds and coat types may include:

the range of clip styles for managing short and long coat types

introducing kittens and inexperienced cats to clipping

trimming to enhance breed features in cat fancy competitions

managing matted or damaged coats or skin conditions

providing comfort coat care for non-show competition cats:

belly trim

sanitary trim

lion cut

mowhawk cut

mane trimming

friction area trims around legs

for creative styling.

Hand finishing techniques may include:

plucking, tweezering or scissoring techniques for various body parts

blow drying

stripping.

Grooming techniques

Techniques for maintaining breed and coat types may include:

use of grooming tools and techniques for grooming

use of hands and fingers for grooming

considering different coat types and body areas and to:

remove and prevent knots and mats

lay coat

remove debris

oil hairless cat breeds

volumize coat

washing for coat and skin conditions, to remove stains, to control parasites.

Environmental and biosecurity hazards may include:

allergies or skin conditions associated with the use of shampoos and other products

burns from the use of chemicals or hot clipper blades

electrical and fire risk from equipment

pollutants and biohazards resulting from chemicals, water and cat waste

transmission of disease between cats and or humans via:

biting or scratching

presence of contagious health conditions

recycling of washing water

tools and equipment.