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 overseeing sample collection

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient overseeing of sample collection

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

Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of racing industry operations 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 oversee sample collection

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

case studies to assess the candidate's skills and knowledge of the overall swabbing procedure to ensure continuity and security of evidence.

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, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.

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

applying safe work practices when dealing with people, greyhounds and horses, including safe handling and lifting techniques

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

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 ensure the integrity of samples

complying with organisational policies and procedures and the rules of racing

demonstrating aptitude to use initiative and problem-solving abilities to collect samples from difficult people and animals

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

ensuring provision of same gender when directing racing personnel to make themselves available for sample collection

demonstrating common greyhound or horse handling skills

identifying and reporting swabbing irregularities

identifying animals 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

practical experience in dealing with difficult people

reading and interpreting workplace documentation and 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 other stewards or 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 and communication traits

industry terminology related to race meeting and swabbing procedures

hazard identification and risk management

protocols and procedures for communicating with 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 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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to conduct steward overseeing of sample collection procedures. Workplaces include greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks and administration buildings.

Stewards oversee the conduct of all racing-related activities within the responsibilities and powers described under the rules of racing. The conditions under which this unit is delivered and assessed must take into consideration these powers and responsibilities. These powers and responsibilities are further described in the rules of racing for the relevant racing code. It is strongly recommended that training facilitators and learners refer to these powers and responsibilities as part of the range of conditions for all units covered in the steward specialist area of the Training Package.

Cleanliness, safety and security of the sampling area will include:

animal manure or faeces removed promptly

area must be able to be:

locked

monitored at all times

provision of hand washing amenities and disposable gloves

refrigerator in working order for proper storage of samples

sampling area design allows safe movement of animals and personnel

working surfaces are dust free.

Considerations for animal comfort will include:

air flow

clean animal bedding

dust free environment, including animal bedding

light

size of enclosure to allow animal to move around comfortably

temperature

quiet area to minimise distractions and encourage provision of samples.

Sample collection kits may include:

blood collection bottles

collection bottle seals and labels

disposable gloves

laboratory cards

needles

rinse containers

sharps containers

urine collection bottles.

Collection procedures may include:

escorting animal and handler to swab area

following chain of evidence protocols

preparing swab kit and swab area

recording details

securing swabs and swab area

sending samples to laboratory for analysis.

Collection protocols will include:

conditions under which the sample is gathered, including:

identification of humans or 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.

OHS and safe operating procedures 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, including:

use of restraints

handling animals in enclosed spaces

following accident and injury procedures

identifying and reporting unsafe work practices

identifying emergency situations

monitoring animal behaviour

using approved and well-maintained gear and equipment

wearing approved personal protective equipment.