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 collecting non-blood samples from greyhounds or horses

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of non-blood sample collection from greyhounds or horses

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 duties associated with non-blood sample collection

safe handling areas such as racetracks, including race meetings, related swabbing facilities and Australian racing forensic laboratory

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, 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 handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds or horses

communicating with stewards, veterinarians, racing officials, licensed and registered personnel and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to non-blood sample collection from greyhounds or horses

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

conducting sample collection processes in accordance with laboratory protocols and procedures, and OHS and animal welfare regulations to ensure the integrity of samples

demonstrating common greyhound or horse handling skills

identifying and reporting swabbing irregularities

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

maintaining racing code requirements for confidentiality

providing prompt and succinct information to stewards and others as required

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 stewards or other racing officials

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

using initiative and problem-solving techniques to deal with difficult people

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

laboratory protocols and procedures

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

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, 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.

Preparation of collecting area will include:

collecting and managing records pertaining to individual sample collection processes

communicating with other sample collection officers and swab stewards or veterinarians

checking number and verifying contents of swab kits

checking that swab video camera is working

ensuring swab area is clean

ensuring appropriate systems and personnel are in place to monitor key operating areas

preparing paperwork and computer used in sample collection.

Collecting equipment will include:

collection bottles

collection bottle seals and labels

disposable gloves

laboratory cards

swab kit.

Collection procedures will include:

checking identification of attending witness

identifying greyhounds or horses to be swabbed

escorting animal and handler to swab area

preparing swab kit and swab area

recording swab kit numbers, taking sample and sealing bottles

recording swab details

requesting agent to sign required paperwork

storing swab samples in secured area prior to dispatch to laboratory for analysis.

Non-blood samples may include:

saliva

urine

other non-invasive samples.

Chain of custody of sampling equipment, documentation and sample may include:

conditions under which the sample is gathered, including:

identification of animals to be tested

identification of all personnel

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.

Contingency plans may include:

managing dehydrated animal unable to provide urine sample

providing water for drinking

providing alternative (blood) sample collection.

Safety of greyhound or horse , self and others 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 appropriate handling and restraining techniques

using approved and well-maintained gear

wearing approved personal protective equipment.