This unit applies to pregnancy testing pigs and is carried out independently under workplace direction.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for pregnancy diagnosis procedures

1.1. Pregnancy testing preparations including the preparation of relevant documentation are completed according to organisation requirements and procedures.

1.2. Pigs to be tested are identified according to the breeding or management program requirements.

1.3. Physical and human resources for pregnancy testing are assembled according to organisation policy.

1.4. Individual pigs are isolated for veterinary treatment or examination.

1.5. All handling and testing of pigs is undertaken with strict adherence to the animal welfare code.

2. Carry out manual pregnancy diagnosis procedures

2.1. Individual pigs are handled in manner to minimise stress while testing and individual breeding records are checked.

2.2. Personal protective equipment is fitted according to organisation policy.

2.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are continually identified, risks assessed and suitable controls implemented.

2.4. Ultra sound equipment is applied for pregnancy diagnosis.

2.5. Strict hygiene procedures are implemented between individual pigs in line with organisation and industry requirements.

2.6. Records are kept and outcomes reported according to organisation requirements.

2.7. Other indicators of pig health are observed and noted for input to herd health management.

3. Carry out post pregnancy testing clean up procedures

3.1. Pigs diagnosed as pregnant or not pregnant are accurately identified according to the requirements of the organisation.

3.2. All pigs are consigned to their destination or returned to paddocks/pens in line with organisation needs.

3.3. Debris and veterinary medicine containers from pregnancy testing operations are disposed of in full consideration of environmental considerations and controls.

3.4. Regular monitoring of pigs post testing is carried out to ensure that no evidence of physical damage or injury is evident.

Required skills

identify hazards and implement safe work procedures

handle pigs minimising the likelihood of stress

report clearly, accurately and in a timely fashion on the health and welfare of the pigs

accept advice and instruction

work effectively and safely to accurately carry out manual pregnancy diagnosis with safety and nil damage to pigs or personnel.

use ultra sound effectively to scan for pregnancy

comply with animal welfare requirements

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required

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

use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

the reproductive physiology of the pig

indications of pregnancy

the stages of parturition in pigs

pig reproductive systems

pig embryological development

relevant zoonoses

the use of pregnancy/non-pregnancy diagnostic tools and equipment

recording and reporting systems used in conjunction with pregnancy diagnosis and pig breeding programs.

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 holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

detect pregnancy through several manually determined key indicators

handle pigs in a manner that minimises the likelihood of stress

report on the health and welfare of the pigs.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Pigs may include:

all types and breeds of pregnant sows to be pregnancy tested using ultra sound equipment.

Unit sector

Pork production

This unit contains employability skills.