Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to provide veterinarians with the skills and required knowledge to supervise the process of collecting samples from racing animals. The unit includes processes related to the preparation for testing, authorisation and implementation of testing, and initiation of evidence gathering activities as required. It emphasises the obligation of appointed personnel to maintain continuity and security of evidence.

In order to complete this unit the candidate must be a qualified veterinarian with recognised experience in the management and care of racing greyhounds or horses, who is licensed to practise veterinary medicine in the nominated state.

This unit of competency operates in work environments of racing kennels, stables, paddocks, yards, racecourses and public areas.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Check with your State Principal Racing Authority for current license or registration requirements.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports veterinarians who are licensed to practise veterinary medicine through relevant state registration and are required to supervise the collection of samples from racing animals.

Competencies attained in this unit apply to the greyhound or harness or thoroughbred code of the industry. Consequently when performance criteria are applied they will relate to the greyhound code or the harness code or the thoroughbred code, and statements of attainment for this unit will reflect this distinction.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Instruct staff in collection procedures.

1. Rules of racing  relating to collection of samples are reviewed with staff.

2. Collection protocols  are explained and demonstrated to staff.

3. Potential problems  with sample collection are discussed and preferred actions explained.

Promote OHS and safe racing operating procedures.

4. Hazards to humans  relating to handling and collecting samples are identified and risk management protocols  are presented.

5. Hazards  relating to collecting samples from animals  are identified and risk management protocols are explained and demonstrated.

6. Reporting procedures are explained in case of incident or accident during collection.

Monitor swab collection.

7. Sample collection  by staff is observed and evaluated.

8. Feedback is provided to staff on collecting technique and compliance with collecting protocols and safe operating procedures.

9. Assistance and advice are provided to collecting staff as required.

10. Documentation on sample collection is checked.

11. Samples are stored securely until the end of the collection period then delivered to nominated officer.

12. Incidents or problems that occurred during collection are documented and reported to stewards.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds or horses
• assessing animal health and illness or injury status
• communicating with swabbing officers, stewards, racing officials, licensed and registered personnel and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to supervising sample collection duties
• completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame
• complying with laboratory protocols and procedures, and OHS and animal welfare regulations to maintain the integrity of samples
• directing industry personnel to correctly and safely participate in sample collection processes
• demonstrating common greyhound or horse handling skills
• identifying and reporting swabbing irregularities
• identifying animal by colour, brand, sex, and leg and face markings
• judging situations and taking appropriate action to prevent problems arising or to overcome problems before they develop further
• maintaining racing code requirements for confidentiality
• participating safely in sample collection processes
• providing prompt and succinct information to stewards and others as required
• reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including the 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
• 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, senses and communication traits
• industry terminology related to race meeting and swabbing procedures
• hazard identification and risk management
• 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
• signs of animal health, ill health, injury and diseases
• swabbing protocols and associated rules of racing.

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.

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 supervising sample collection
• implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of supervising duties related to sample collection
• 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 veterinarian sample collection supervisory duties
• race meetings and related facilities, including swabbing
• 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.

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).

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Rules of racing  relevant to collection of samples relate to:

• prohibited substances
• stewards' power to test any greyhound or horse, or take possession on the course or elsewhere of any greyhound or horse for testing.

Collection protocols  will include:

• conditions under which the sample is gathered, including:

• identification of animals to be tested
• 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.

Potential problems  that may arise during sample collection include:

• animal is unable to provide a urine sample.

Hazards to humans  may include:

• greyhounds or horses
• other people, including employees, contractors and visitors
• chemicals, including hazardous substances
• machinery or equipment
• physical environment
• unsafe work practices.

Risk management protocols  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 approved and well-maintained gear
• wearing approved personal protective equipment.

Hazards from animals  may include:

• bite
• crush
• kick injuries.

Sample collection  will include:

• checking identification
• escorting animal and handler to swab area
• following chain of evidence protocols
• identifying greyhounds or horses to be swabbed
• preparing swab kit and swab area
• recording details
• securing swabs and swab area
• sending sample to laboratory for analysis.

Unit Sector 

Greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racing codes

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing common