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 are examples of organisational requirements?
Organisational requirements may include:
OHS
organisational goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
relevant legislation
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
client service standards
emergency procedures
duty of care, code of conduct and code of ethics
records and information systems and processes
communication channels and reporting procedures.

What are examples of task requirements?
Task requirements may include:
instructions from supervisor or manager
specific client requirements
objectives and timeframes
reporting and documentation
work tasks and procedures

What are some examples of the factors that may affect work?
Factors that may affect work include:
own ability to complete work (competency and skill level)
competing work demands
technology or equipment breakdowns
unforeseen incidents
workplace hazards, risks and controls
environmental factors including time and weather
lack of resource and materials
budget constraints.

What organisational equipment may be used in the context of this unit?
Equipment could include computers, printers, personal schedulers, fax machines, photocopiers and cash registers.

What are examples of relevant safe work practices?
Safe work practices might include the use of personal protective clothing and equipment including safety goggles and glasses, protective masks, safety gloves, aprons, appropriate footwear and animal handling gauntlets.
Protocols for safe work practices include hazard identification and risk minimisation; the handling, use, storage, transport and disposal of chemicals; and the handling and disposal of biological wastes.
The handling of chemicals and medicines in the workplace requires extra care to ensure safe work practices are maintained.
Safe work practices include the packaging and handling of loads including animals and equipment. Appropriate safe handling techniques for the task are used to reduce muscle load on exertion.
Some workplaces may expose personnel to risks such as zoonoses, release of infective agents (both animal and human), chemical spillage and gas leakages.

What are examples of companion animals?
Companion animals may include dogs, cats, birds, invertebrates (e.g. stick insects, spiders and beetles), small animals (e.g. rabbits, rodents, ferrets and cavies), aquaria and reptiles.

What could be included in legislative requirements?
Legislative requirements may include the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice, companion animal legislation, local council regulations, microchipping, animal welfare legislation and National Parks and Wildlife Service legislation.

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:

identify and handle animals in an ethical and humane manner
comply with relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice including animal welfare and OHS legislation
communicate effectively with supervisor and follow task instructions to complete daily work activities
build relationships and communicate effectively with clients
gather, document, maintain and record companion animal records using organisational record-keeping systems
prioritise work tasks including daily routines.

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:

legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to work task requirements
organisational policies, procedures and requirements including OHS
communication strategies including questioning and listening techniques
basic principles of animal ethics and welfare
animal handling techniques.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

ability to handle and work with animals in an ethical manner that complies with welfare legislation and requirements
ability to identify animals using common names
ability to follow instructions
ability to follow organisational policies, procedures and requirements
ability to maintain companion animal records
interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds
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 to complete basic arithmetic calculations and measure volumes
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 workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and resources normally used in the workplace
organisational policies, procedures and requirements
records and record-keeping systems
clients, animals and supervisor
work tasks

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 a companion 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 daily routines with supervisors and team members. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By maintaining workplace information and companion animal records. (1)

Planning and organising activities
By consulting with supervisors on daily tasks to be completed and prioritising own tasks. (1)

Working with others and in teams
By working with others on agreed tasks. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By calculating volumes and using simple arithmetic calculations for daily tasks. (1)

Solving problems
By recognising a workplace hazard. (1)

Using technology
By using organisational record-keeping systems to record and maintain companion animal records. (1)