Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this unit may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What is meant by interpersonal skills?
Interpersonal skills may include communication skills that convey a professional business image and provide information and advice clearly and concisely. They may also include active listening and questioning skills to clarify and determine customer requirements.

What may care requirements include?
Care requirements may include the size and type of housing or enclosure; special heating, lighting, filtration systems; food requirements; water quality; environmental issues; disposal of waste; the need for water features and plants; and legislative requirements including licensing.

What is included in set up and maintenance of housing?
Set up of housing may include the set up of aquaria, enclosures, reptile housing and habitat boxes.
Maintenance may include aquascaping; water testing; checking security (e.g. locks, slides and bolts), lighting, heating systems and ventilation; securing and replacing enclosure furniture; checking for pests; regular cleaning; correct disposal of waste; and maintenance techniques relating to biological, mechanical and chemical water filtration systems.

What are examples of water features?
Water features and landscaping may include shading, waterfalls, fountains and vegetation.

What is meant by new environment?
A new environment may include a different form of housing, interaction with other species and different lighting, ventilation and heating systems.

What systems are being referred to?
Systems may include:
Mechanical, chemical and biological filtration systems; energy requirements of pumping system and its suitability for aquaria selected; infrastructure, including seepage pits and permaculture; and advanced systems including ultraviolet (UV) and ozone.
Lighting systems including UV, fluorescent and incandescent
Heating systems including gas, electric and solar.

What criteria may be used to evaluate systems?
Evaluation of systems may include suitability for the species selected, location of system, energy requirements, cost, alternative systems, availability of spare parts, maintenance requirements and ease of operation.

What additional equipment and related services are likely to be included?
Additional equipment and related services may include feature lighting and plants; aquascape or enclosure furniture; feeding implements; literature; repair and maintenance of aquaria equipment, generators and pumps; automatic and manual cleaning systems; and cleaning agents and tools.

What transportation may be required?
Transportation may include local, interstate or overseas travel to and from the companion animal facility and clients' homes.

What may be included as environmental health requirements?
Environmental health requirements may include the type of heating, lighting and ventilation; shelter; access to natural foods; access to drainage; and disposal of waste.

What may be included in treatments and medications?
Treatments may include pH correction, chlorine neutralisers and water stabilisers.
Medications may include treatments for abnormalities including white spot, fungus, fin rot, external parasite, bloat, hole in the head, lateral line infection and bacterial and viral infections.

What are dietary requirements?
Dietary requirements may include specialist foods for young animals; meat, fish, food animals and vegetables; activity foods; processed foods; vitamins and supplements; and water.

What type of legislative requirements may need to be complied with?
Local council regulations (e.g. registration and licensing), animal welfare requirements and environmental regulations.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?
The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

engage customers effectively and provide advice on the suitability of a particular aquatic animal to meet their needs
demonstrate a good knowledge of the housing, nutrition, environmental and general maintenance requirements of a range of aquatic animals
demonstrate compliance with legislative requirements relating to the sale and transport of aquatic animals.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed below and include:

basic aquatic animal biology
aquatic species nutritional requirements
common aquatic animal diseases and treatment strategies
species compatibility
general maintenance and cleaning of aquaria
relevant products and additional services
relevant legislative and environmental regulations
communication and sales techniques.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include:

aquatic animal handling and restraint techniques
feeding techniques for a range of species
persuasion and sales techniques
ability to demonstrate set up of aquaria and general maintenance of equipment
ability to demonstrate use of products and aquatic animal accessories
literacy skills to read and follow OHS and waste management procedures and other organisational policies and procedures; select and apply the procedures to perform a range of defined tasks; follow sequenced written instructions; and record accurately and legibly the information collected
oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with supervisor
numeracy skills required to complete arithmetic calculations
interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds
problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate aquatic animal workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace
a range of aquatic animals normally found in the workplace
aquaria and maintenance equipment including filtration, lighting, heating and ventilation systems
aquatic animal accessories
foodstuffs and other nutritional requirements
information on animals, products and caring for animals
information on disease identification and treatment
relevant legislation and sales documentation.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and, where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an aquatic animal workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access in either situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this unit of competency. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
By discussing and clarifying customers' needs to determine the appropriateness of the animal selected. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By recording the repair and maintenance of aquaria equipment in accordance with manufacturers' requirements. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By following a process once an animal is selected to ensure customers have all necessary products and equipment so that the animal's transition to a home environment is smooth. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By consulting with other members of the work team to ensure customer satisfaction. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By correctly measuring quantities including chemicals and volume of water. (2)

Solving problems
By matching customer requirements to appropriate aquatic animals and helping customers understand technical information. (2)

Using technology
By using the Internet to access information about an animal or product. (2)