Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor the general health and wellbeing of young animals that may be either rescued native wildlife or captive animals being naturally or artificially reared.

This unit applies to wildlife animal keepers or carers who work in a captive animal facility, under the direction of a more experienced staff member.

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

NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Captive Animals (CAN)

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 cared for a minimum of three young animals, including (for each):

• provided appropriate environments and care programs to meet the needs of each animal
• assisted in artificially rearing animals
• monitored the health and nutrition of young animal to ensure their overall growth and wellbeing
• prepared the animal for release into a captive or natural habitat environment.

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:

• principles and practices of care for young animals
• anatomy structure and physiology features of the relevant animal groups related to caring for young animals
• concepts of imprinting and socialisation
• feeding and husbandry requirements for artificially raised animals
• formula types for common species
• housing requirements for mother and young where relevant
• normal and abnormal animal behaviour
• pre-release activities
• range of risks to animals being artificially fed
• release strategies
• relevant federal and state or territory legislation and codes of practice and facility policies and procedures, including WHS, animal welfare, ethics, hygiene standards and other industry guidelines
• safe animal handling techniques and procedures
• risks of working with young animals, including:

• animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
• biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
• handling of chemicals and medicines
• inhalation of aerosol particles
• intraocular contamination
• manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
• needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
• release of infective agents (animal and human)
• slippery or uneven work surfaces
• zoonoses

• safe work practices
• weaning management, including:

• changing the diet
• introducing alternative feeding strategies
• weaning from human contact

• workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a workplace or an environment that accurately reflects a real workplace setting

• resources, equipment and materials:

• a range of young animals
• equipment and resources appropriate to work undertaken in a captive animal facility

• specifications:

• access to organisational policies and procedures
• current WHS legislation and regulations and relevant state/territory animal welfare regulations

• relationships (internal and/or external):

• interactions with supervisor.

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