Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to perform a range of techniques to collect and preserve animals and plant material for both public and scientific research display. Personnel are required to assist clients to clarify their display requirements, select the most appropriate collection and preservation procedures and display configuration and then assemble and conserve the display items. The unit does not cover techniques and procedures for handling vertebrates that are subject to national and state/territory animal care and ethics regulations. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to technical assistants and technical officers in research and teaching institutions, museums, herbariums, commercial taxidermy, forestry, zoos and fauna park industry sectors. This unit of competency is relevant to technicians who may work individually or as part of a team. The enterprise will need to equip its personnel with relevant animal handling skills should they be required. Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These can be found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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MSL974006A |
Perform biological procedures |
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MSL973007A |
Perform microscopic examination |
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MSL973004A |
Perform aseptic techniques |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Confirm the requirements of the display and plan the work |
1.1. Clarify the purpose and design of the display in consultation with other staff 1.2. Determine suitable methods of collection, preservation and display in order to meet the display requirements |
2. Work safely according to the legal and regulatory framework |
2.1. Ensure work practices and personal actions conform to all relevant legislation, regulations, codes and guidelines 2.2. Identify hazards and enterprise control measures associated with the specimens, samples, collection and preservation methods, reagents and equipment 2.3. Select, fit and use personal protective clothing and safety equipment 2.4. Address hazards and incidents as they arise 2.5. Ensure the safe disposal of biohazardous materials and other wastes |
3. Collect plants and animal material |
3.1. Assemble equipment required for collection and preservation 3.2. Collect specimens to meet display requirements 3.3. Check identification of specimens and assess their suitability for the display 3.4. Label specimens and accurately record data to ensure traceability of specimen from the source through to the final display 3.5. Store specimens during transportation to ensure it retains the required characteristics |
4. Preserve plant and animal material |
4.1. Confirm the identification of specimens and suitability for the purpose 4.2. Examine the specimens and record data 4.3. Take samples from the specimens and prepare them for preservation 4.4. Preserve the specimens using enterprise procedures |
5. Display plant and animal material |
5.1. Ensure the specimen is conserved to minimise deterioration 5.2. Place the preserved specimen in the display to meet the display plan and security requirements |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Required skills include:
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Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment. This unit of competency may be assessed with:
Resources may include:
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Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment. |
This competency in practice |
Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. Education A laboratory technician at a university botany school is required to prepare display material for a practical class to study cycads. They look up the procedures manual and discuss the requirements of the class with the lecturing staff and then arrange to visit the botanic gardens and collect the required specimens with the curator. The specimens are identified, collected and labelled, transported back to the laboratory in water in a refrigerated van and displayed for the practical class to use the next day. Museum An exhibition project officer in a museum works in a team to design and create a display as part of an exhibition about spiders. It is decided that a display of live funnel web spiders in a perspex showcase would capture public interest. The project officer designs and makes the showcase taking note of the need to provide for the environmental, feeding and security requirements of the specimens, the safety and information needs of the public, and the display's visual appeal and accuracy of the spider habitat. They liaise with a nearby reptile park to obtain the spiders for the duration of the display and prepare the necessary documentation. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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. |
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Codes of practice |
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used |
Standards , codes , procedures and /or enterprise requirements |
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
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Staff |
Staff may include:
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Requirements of a display plan |
Requirements of a display plan may include:
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Collection |
Collection may include:
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Hazards |
Hazards may include:
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Hazard control measures |
Hazard control measures may include:
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Identification |
Identification may include:
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Suitability of specimen |
Suitability of specimen may include:
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Data to be recorded |
Data to be recorded may include:
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Samples |
Samples may include:
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Preparation for preservation |
Preparation for preservation may include:
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Preservation |
Preservation may include:
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Detailing of specimens |
Detailing of specimens may include:
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Conservation |
Conservation involves minimisation of deterioration which can be caused by:
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Occupational health and safety (OHS ) and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements:
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Testing |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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