The treating of rectal prolapse in pigs is carried out independently under workplace direction.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Respond to signs of rectal prolapse

1.1. Symptoms of rectal prolapse are identified.

1.2. Pig is removed from pen.

1.3. Treatment required to repair prolapse is determined based on severity of injury and enterprise standard operating procedures.

1.4. Outbreaks of rectal prolapse in a herd are notified to management according to enterprise standard operating procedures.

2. Treat rectal prolapse

2.1. Minor prolapses are replaced and retained as directed by veterinary advice.

2.2. Large prolapses are reduced by gentle hand pressure before suturing.

2.3. Badly torn prolapses are replaced and pig is moved to hospital pen.

2.4. Rectal strictures are recognised and treated according to enterprise standard operating procedures.

2.5. Antibiotics are administered to pigs with rectal prolapse where required by enterprise standard operating procedures.

3. Report on rectal prolapse

3.1. Incidents and treatments are reported to supervisor according to enterprise standard operating procedures.

3.2. Possible mechanisms for prolapse are reported to supervisor.

3.3. Modifications to pig management are undertaken to reduce incidence of rectal prolapse.

Required skills

identify hazards and implement safe work procedures

apply animal welfare practices

respond to signs of rectal prolapse

treat rectal prolapse

report on rectal prolapse

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

pig health and physiology

symptoms of prolapse and associated problems

treatments for rectal prolapse

post treatment requirements

enterprise standard operating procedures in respect to rectal prolapse

animal welfare code of practices.

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:

respond to signs of rectal prolapse

treat rectal prolapse

report on rectal prolapse.

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 breeds and types of commercial pigs.

Unit sector

Pork production

This unit contains employability skills.