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 competence 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. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

select suitable method of euthanasia according to size and number of animals and legislative constraints in consultation with supervisor

select and prepare appropriate equipment and material

follow safe work practices to minimise risks to animals, self and others

euthanase animals in a humane, rapid and appropriate manner and confirm death

dispose of animal carcass and biological waste not required for research or post-mortem purposes, in accordance with legislative requirements

decontaminate, clean and store equipment and materials or dispose of accordingly

access and use management systems to keep and maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to euthanase sick, injured or unwanted pound animals must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal control and regulation workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to animals to be euthanased and the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party evidence

workplace documentation.

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).

Required skills

apply injection methods and techniques

calculate solutions, dilutions, body weights and dose rates

clean and decontaminate equipment, materials and facilities

complete relevant workplace documentation, using appropriate equipment, to record and report information regarding euthanasia of animals

employ safe, humane and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling animals

follow safe work practices

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control to reduce the risk of infection or cross-infection

monitor animal health and behaviour

recognise stress in animals

use different euthanasia equipment and materials including captive bolt, firearms and lethal injections

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS, animal welfare, infection control and waste management; follow sequenced written instructions; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from supervisor

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

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

problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge

anatomy and physiology of animals commonly euthanased, especially the routes of administration, life signs and aiming points for firearms and captive bolts

boundaries of professional behaviour in dealing with own distress and grief in the workplace

equipment and drugs commonly used for euthanasia

methods of euthanasia and their suitability for a range of species

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant legislation and codes of practice relating to OHS and animal control and regulation requirements

relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances

standard operating procedures relating to restraining, handling, euthanasing and disposing of animals

standard operating procedures relating to using, storing and transporting equipment and drugs used when conducting euthanasia of animals.

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.

Methods of euthanasia covered by this unit of competency include:

captive bolt

firearm

lethal injection

premedication drugs (e.g. sedation), as well as drugs for euthanasia, are used when appropriate and may include:

barbiturate overdose techniques by intravenous, intraperitoneal or intracardiac injection.

Equipment and materials to conduct euthanasia may include:

captive bolts

clippers

disposal units for used or expendable equipment and materials

drugs

firearms

needles

restraining devices

scales

syringes

syringe pole for distance injections

stainless steel work surfaces

rubber matting or similar non-slip surface.

The use of projectile injection devices is not included in this unit of competency.

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Statutory requirements that may impact on the euthanasia of animals may include:

legislation:

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Acts

Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes

Fisheries Acts

Quarantine Acts

Wildlife Acts

local government regulations covering the transport and disposal of hazardous wastes

organisational standard operating procedures.

Records requirements may include:

date, time and operator

animal description (e.g. age, breed/type, sex, colour, coat, size, weight and unique features)

microchip search result

animal history, including the interval held

source location.