Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to gather information on medications and services for animals, and relate these to individual animal requirements.

This unit applies to new entrants to the animal care and management industry where it may be necessary to investigate or clarify information on treatments, services or other animal care items for self, colleagues or clients. Individuals are not required to provide advice to clients at this level, but rather to develop the skills required to find information that is current, relevant, accurate and appropriate for the audience and activity needs from a range of credible services.

This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.

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

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

General Animal Studies (GAS)

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:

• sourced information for the care of a minimum of two different animals (which may be of the same species), including on each occasion:

• taken animal history
• used research skills to verify animal identification information

• obtained information about a product or service for a specific need on at least one occasion
• interpreted product labels and basic dosage correctly on at least one occasion
• identified sources that provide credible information on animal care products and services on at least one occasion.

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:

• types and sources of information available for treatments and other animal services, including:

• industry associations
• library resources
• government registers
• product brochures and safety data sheets (SDS)
• supervisor and other workplace staff
• validated internet sites

• animal registry license in the relevant state or territory
• types of information sourced for animal care, including:

• dietary needs
• health check-up frequency and procedures
• animal housing
• parasite control products

• safety information found on labelling
• common animal ailments and injuries.

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 animals or case study materials
• equipment and resources typically available in an animal care setting

• specifications:

• access to current legislation and relevant codes of practice.

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