Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to promote animal health and prepare for and support veterinary activities in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (herein referred to as Indigenous) communities.

This unit applies to individuals who work in animal control or animal management roles in remote Indigenous communities using local knowledge and relationships to maximise the outcomes of veterinary visits. They perform work under broad direction and are required to take responsibility for their own work, including carrying out assigned tasks, organising processes, solving problems and working to schedules.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Animal Regulation and Management (ARM)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has:

• prepared and supported at least one veterinary visit to a remote community, including:

• completed a census of community animals and created an action task list to assist veterinarian
• liaised with community members prior to and during veterinary visit
• safely handled, captured and transported animals for surgery or clinic visit using low stress techniques

• carried out two of the following activities:

• applied two different treatments to animals under veterinarian supervision
• applied two different over-the-counter treatments to animals
• prepared facility for a temporary veterinary surgery site
• applied basic first aid to two different animals.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• purpose of census and benefits of record-keeping
• methods used to control and manage animal populations in communities, including sterilisation (surgical and chemical)
• benefits of veterinary visits and animal health care for community members and animals
• concept of 'one health' to improve health within remote communities:

• collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach
• interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment

• basic site and equipment requirements for a veterinary clinic or surgery in a remote location
• basic overview of relevant local and state regulations relating to companion animals
• range of service providers involved in animal health and management relevant to the community, including:

• veterinarians and veterinary workers
• Aboriginal Land Councils
• non-government organisations
• local councils
• state, territory and Australian government departments

• ways to communicate and promote information in remote communities, including:

• using culturally appropriate language and communication methods
• inclusive activities and role of elders

• common community animal infections and diseases, including:

• skin sores and infections caused by external parasites, including mange/scabies, ringworm, fleas and ticks
• internal parasites, including heartworm, hook worm, round worm
• wounds and injuries

• how animals spread pathogens and disease, and prevention techniques
• awareness of possible notifiable diseases relevant to area and regulatory reporting requirements
• treatments for common animal infections and diseases, including:

• application and use of registered, over-the-counter treatments and those administered by veterinarians
• state/territory restrictions on the administration of specific medications
• responsible use of antibiotics/antimicrobials
• dressing and cleaning basic wounds and injuries

• working safely with companion animals in remote communities, including:

• recognising animal body language and signs of emotional states

• safe, humane and low stress handling techniques for capture, moving, holding and transporting animals.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a remote or regional/rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

• resources, equipment and materials:

• community animals specified in the performance evidence
• equipment and resources necessary to support veterinary activity specified in the performance evidence
• information about preventative treatments for community animals
• equipment required to capture, restrain and transport animals

• relationships:

• veterinarian and community members specified in the performance evidence.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103