This unit of competency supports veterinarians who are licensed to practise veterinary medicine through relevant state registration and are required to supervise the collection of samples from racing animals.

Competencies attained in this unit apply to the greyhound or harness or thoroughbred code of the industry. Consequently when performance criteria are applied they will relate to the greyhound code or the harness code or the thoroughbred code, and statements of attainment for this unit will reflect this distinction.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Instruct staff in collection procedures.

1. Rules of racing relating to collection of samples are reviewed with staff.

2. Collection protocols are explained and demonstrated to staff.

3. Potential problems with sample collection are discussed and preferred actions explained.

Promote OHS and safe racing operating procedures.

4. Hazards to humans relating to handling and collecting samples are identified and risk management protocols are presented.

5. Hazards relating to collecting samples from animals are identified and risk management protocols are explained and demonstrated.

6. Reporting procedures are explained in case of incident or accident during collection.

Monitor swab collection.

7. Sample collection by staff is observed and evaluated.

8. Feedback is provided to staff on collecting technique and compliance with collecting protocols and safe operating procedures.

9. Assistance and advice are provided to collecting staff as required.

10. Documentation on sample collection is checked.

11. Samples are stored securely until the end of the collection period then delivered to nominated officer.

12. Incidents or problems that occurred during collection are documented and reported to stewards.

Required skills

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds or horses

assessing animal health and illness or injury status

communicating with swabbing officers, stewards, racing officials, licensed and registered personnel and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to supervising sample collection duties

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

complying with laboratory protocols and procedures, and OHS and animal welfare regulations to maintain the integrity of samples

directing industry personnel to correctly and safely participate in sample collection processes

demonstrating common greyhound or horse handling skills

identifying and reporting swabbing irregularities

identifying animal by colour, brand, sex, and leg and face markings

judging situations and taking appropriate action to prevent problems arising or to overcome problems before they develop further

maintaining racing code requirements for confidentiality

participating safely in sample collection processes

providing prompt and succinct information to stewards and others as required

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including the rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

responding quickly to requests from stewards or other racing officials

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

communication procedures within the race meeting environment and wider racing industry

ethical conduct standards of relevant racing principal authority

greyhound or horse behaviour, senses and communication traits

industry terminology related to race meeting and swabbing procedures

hazard identification and risk management

protocols and procedures for communicating with stewards, and licensed and other racing industry personnel

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

reporting requirements for irregularities and problems, including difficulties in obtaining samples

sample collection standard operating procedures

signs of animal health, ill health, injury and diseases

swabbing protocols and associated rules of racing.

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.

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 and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when supervising sample collection

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of supervising duties related to sample collection

working with others to undertake and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of workplace-relevant contexts and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

a range of greyhounds, and harness or thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform veterinarian sample collection supervisory duties

race meetings and related facilities, including swabbing

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of 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.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

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.

Rules of racing relevant to collection of samples relate to:

prohibited substances

stewards' power to test any greyhound or horse, or take possession on the course or elsewhere of any greyhound or horse for testing.

Collection protocols will include:

conditions under which the sample is gathered, including:

identification of animals to be tested

duration of sample custody

security conditions and manner in which sample is transferred to subsequent custodians

documents or paper trails showing collection, custody, control, transfer and analysis of physical (evidence) sample

each transaction completely documented chronologically

identifiable person always to have physical evidence, from swab staff to detective or steward

jurisprudence concept applying to handling of sample and its integrity.

Potential problems that may arise during sample collection include:

animal is unable to provide a urine sample.

Hazards to humans may include:

greyhounds or horses

other people, including employees, contractors and visitors

chemicals, including hazardous substances

machinery or equipment

physical environment

unsafe work practices.

Risk management protocols will include:

adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices

adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare

adhering to rules of racing and rules of the race venue

considering variables that influence behaviour of greyhounds or horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

contributing to development of risk control measures

following safe work practices

following accident and injury procedures

identifying and reporting unsafe work practices

identifying emergency situations

monitoring animal behaviour

using approved and well-maintained gear

wearing approved personal protective equipment.

Hazards from animals may include:

bite

crush

kick injuries.

Sample collection will include:

checking identification

escorting animal and handler to swab area

following chain of evidence protocols

identifying greyhounds or horses to be swabbed

preparing swab kit and swab area

recording details

securing swabs and swab area

sending sample to laboratory for analysis.

Unit Sector

Greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racing codes

This unit contains employability skills.