Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to treat rectal prolapse in pigs.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Respond to signs of rectal prolapse | 1.1 Recognise signs of rectal prolapse 1.2 Remove pig from pen 1.3 Determine treatment based on severity of injury and animal’s health and condition 1.4 Seek supervisor’s, veterinary or other expert advice where required 1.5 Prepare work site, required resources and materials for treatment 1.6 Isolate pig in hospital pen where required 1.7 Follow enterprise animal welfare and biosecurity policies 1.8 Recognise outbreaks of rectal prolapse in a herd and notify management |
2. Treat rectal prolapse | 2.1 Select, use and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment 2.2 Apply knowledge of relevant animal anatomy and physiology 2.3 Clean prolapses appropriately 2.4 Treat as prescribed by veterinary advice 2.5 Recognise and treat rectal strictures where appropriate 2.6 Administer antibiotics to pigs with rectal prolapse where required |
3. Report and reduce incidence of rectal prolapse | 3.1 Report incidents and treatments to supervisor or management 3.2 Identify possible causes of prolapse 3.2 Implement changes to pig management to reduce incidence of rectal prolapse |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
respond to signs of rectal prolapse
treat rectal prolapse
report and reduce incidence of rectal prolapse
follow work health and safety policies
follow biosecurity policies
follow animal welfare policies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
signs, causes, treatment, management and prevention of rectal prolapse
anatomy and physiology of relevant organs and tissues
techniques and methods for humane handling and restraint of pigs for rectal prolapse
signs of health, signs of ill health, and methods for assessing pig health, welfare and behaviour
work site requirements, resources and materials for treatment of rectal prolapse
characteristics, signs, management and control of rectal prolapse outbreaks
relevant work health and safety requirements for treatment of rectal prolapse
signs, causes, treatment, management and prevention of rectal strictures
requirements, functions and procedures for setting up hospital pens
relevant biosecurity requirements
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace OR workplace and simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Pork (PRK)