Work is performed with limited or minimum supervision. It involves the provision of assistance to customers with and without special needs requiring assistance both on and off a train and during their journey.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Establish contact with customers

1.1 Customer is acknowledged and greeted in a professional, courteous and concise manner according to organisational requirements

1.2 Personal dress and presentation is maintained in line with organisational requirements

1.3 Communication involving appropriate interpersonal skills to facilitate accurate and relevant exchange of information is used

1.4 Sensitivity to customer specific needs and any cultural and individual differences is maintained

1.5 Genuine interest in customer needs is displayed

2Identify customer needs

2.1 Appropriate questioning and active listening are used to determine customer needs

2.2 Urgency of customer needs is assessed to identify priorities for service delivery

2.3 Customers with special needs and the appropriate customer service is identified

3Deliver service to customers

3.1 Prompt customer service to meet identified needs according to organisational requirements is provided

3.2 Customer communications are conducted in a clear, concise and courteous manner

3.3 Customer inquiries are dealt with courteously and efficiently

3.4 Questions are used to clarify the customer's needs or concerns

3.5 Knowledge of services and/or operations is used to answer customer queries or to respond to customers' needs

3.6 Customer is directed to or assistance from other staff is sought when a customer' s inquiry cannot be fully answered

3.7 Opportunities to enhance the quality of service and products are identified and action is taken to improve the service whenever possible

3.8 Information regarding problems and delays is provided and follow up is made within appropriate timeframes as necessary

3.9 Where required, customer inquiries and associated action/s are recorded and/or reported and in accordance with workplace procedures

4Prepare for passengers with special needs

4.1 Vigilance is maintained for passengers with special needs/disabilities on arrival into the station platform

4.2 Actions to assist customers with special needs are identified in accordance with workplace procedures and/or requirements

5Provide assistance to customers with special needs

5.1 Ancillary equipment is applied where appropriate for passengers in wheelchairs/prams, if required

5.2 Customers with seeing/hearing eye dogs are observed and assisted if required

5.3 Customers with any other special needs are observed and assisted if required

5.4 Customers are assisted in a courteous manner, sensitive to the special needs

5.5 Ongoing support and/or vigilance is provided to the customer with special needs to maximise their travelling safety and comfort

5.6 Ancillary equipment is utilised safely in accordance with workplace procedures and safety regulations

6Communicate regarding customers with special needs

6.1 Where dealing with customers with special needs may cause delays to services other personnel are informed

6.2 Where required, other personnel are informed about the presence of customers with special needs

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge:

Relevant legislation, regulations and organisational policies and procedures

Service timetables and network information

Ancillary equipment and procedures for operating/using ancillary equipment

Availability and types of alternative service for customers with special needs

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when transporting passengers with and without special needs

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the transporting of passengers with and without special needs

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Interact with passengers with and without special needs

Complete documentation related to the transporting of passengers with and without special needs

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Use ancillary equipment

Work collaboratively with others when transporting passengers with and without special needs

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may occur when transporting passengers with and without special needs in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unplanned events

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

Adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this 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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

the underpinning knowledge and skills

relevant legislation and workplace procedures

other relevant aspects of the range statement

Assessment must include exercises which demonstrate competent performance of the following in a range of situations:

identifying different categories of special needs

correctly using ancillary equipment to assist passengers with special needs

identifying delays that may occur when assisting passengers with special needs and the correct procedures for dealing with them

identifying types of inquires that are likely to be made and providing appropriate responses

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or

access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and/or

in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Transporting of passengers may be carried out :

by day or night

in all weather conditions

on station platforms

on electric passenger trains

Passengers with special needs may include:

people with disabilities, which may include physical, intellectual, psychiatric, neurological, sensory, learning disabilities

the elderly

people with prams/small children

people with heavy luggage

Other personnel may include:

train controller

signaller

train driver

customer service assistant

platform staff

Services and/or operations may include:

timetables

network layout

ticketing information

alternative transport

other customer service options

local area information

Ancillary equipment may include:

wheelchair ramps

hearing loops

audible alarms

visual alerts

platform markers for customers who are visually impaired

emergency evacuation equipment

Preparation may include visual check:

for passengers on platforms

of ancillary equipment

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Documentation/records may include:

workplace instructions and procedures for the transport of passengers with special needs

manufacturer's instructions, specifications and recommended operating procedures for ancillary equipment, including pre-operational checks

emergency procedures

record book

Applicable regulations, legislation and codes may include:

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant anti-discrimination legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.