Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

Comments 

2

AHC10v8

Corrected typographical errors

1

AHC10

Initial release

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the functions required to implement animal heath control programs in animals and defines the standard required to: monitor animal health status and refer to the production plan for intervention strategies; accurately diagnose the type and severity of infection or parasite infestation; determine the type and scope of treatment; administer treatments and observe withholding periods; monitor animals for treatment effectiveness.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to workers in livestock based enterprises that operate under routine supervision within enterprise guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Assess animal health status and treatment options

1.1. Information on animal health program is sourced from the livestock production plan.

1.2. Animal health status is assessed and potential health issues identified for different mobs and classes of livestock.

1.3. Prevention and treatment strategies are identified to resolve health issues, including rotational grazing, exclusion from infected areas, allowing the national development of immunity, genetic selection and treatment with drugs.

1.4. Information on parasite immunity to different classes of chemicals is sourced and rotation of chemical families is planned for.

2. Prepare for treatment of animals

2.1. Animals affected by infection or parasites, or requiring treatment under the animal health plan, are identified.

2.2. The type and severity of infestation is determined through faecal egg counts or other tests if required.

2.3. The need for treatment and the type and scope of treatment is determined and prepared according to manufacturer's specifications or veterinary advice.

2.4. Equipment and materials and treatment site are prepared to industry standards according to enterprise requirements.

2.5. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards in the workplace are recognised, risk assessed and controlled according to OHS requirements.

3. Treat animals

3.1. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained according to OHS requirements.

3.2. Animals are safely handled and restrained without causing harm or injury to animal or handler.

3.3. Treatment is administered hygienically and consistently according to manufacturer's specifications or veterinary advice.

3.4. Withholding periods and other details of treatment are recorded.

3.5. Treated animals are identified to ensure WHP compliance and isolation from non-treated animals where required.

3.6. Animals are counted out, prepared and moved along a planned route without damage to person, property or environment.

4. Complete treatment process

4.1. Animal health and condition are monitored post-treatment and abnormalities reported according to enterprise requirements.

4.2. Environmental implications associated with the treatment of animals are identified, assessed and controlled according to enterprise requirements.

4.3. Equipment and worksite are cleaned and waste, including animal residues, is disposed of according to OHS and enterprise requirements.

4.4. Health treatments are stored to manufacturers recommendations, industry and enterprise requirements.

4.5. Relevant information is documented according to industry and enterprise requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• identify hazards and implement safe work practices for animal health treatment
• collect faecal, tissue or blood samples for laboratory analysis samples
• identify the symptoms of parasite infestation and other diseases
• select livestock prone to infection for culling
• arrange and co-ordinate equipment and resources
• drench and vaccinate livestock
• select and apply chemicals appropriate to treat infections and infestations
• assemble, check and calibrate drenching and vaccinating equipment
• calculate animal numbers and measure treatment dosage and rates demonstrate safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
• provide due care and humanely handle animals
• return animals to prepared and clean environments
• read and interpret chemical and veterinary health labels, manufacturer's specifications and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• the relationship between livestock health nutrition
• types of paradise infestation and their symptoms
• the parasite resistance of different classes of livestock
• application procedures and effects of veterinary chemicals
• types of health preparation treatments
• enterprise vaccination program and procedures
• identification of and prescribed treatments for infections and infestations
• livestock health and nutritional requirements
• grazing management strategies used in internal parasite control
• requirements for the preparation and transportation of faecal samples
• drenching equipment, drenches and their efficiency
• relevant codes of practice with regard to the safe use and handling of hazardous substances
• withholding periods for treated animals
• animal handling and restraint techniques
• OHS and animal welfare legislative and enterprise requirements
• relevant codes of practice with regard to environmental protection.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• monitor animal health status and refer to the production plan for intervention strategies
• accurately diagnose the type and severity of infection or parasite infestation
• determine the type and scope of treatment
• administer treatments and observe withholding periods
• monitor animals for treatment effectiveness.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Animals may include:

• sheep
• goats
• pigs
• alpacas
• dairy cattle
• beef cattle.

Unit sector 

Livestock

Co-requisite units 

Competency field