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Unit of competency details

ACMSPE312 - Provide basic care of rodents and rabbits (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Superseded
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes and is equivalent to ACMSPE312A - Provide basic care of rodents and rabbitsUpdated to meet Standards for Training Packages Minor changes to clarify content Assessment requirements revised 28/Nov/2017
Is superseded by and equivalent to ACMSPE322 - Provide general care of rodents or rabbitsMinor changes to performance criteria for clarity. Assessment requirements updated 12/Apr/2021

Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 29/Nov/2017

Companion volumes:
Unit of competency Assessment requirements

Delivery:
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Training packages that include this unit

Qualifications that include this unit

CodeSort Table listing Qualifications that include this unit by the Code columnTitleSort Table listing Qualifications that include this unit by the Title columnUsage RecommendationRelease
ACM20117 - Certificate II in Animal StudiesCertificate II in Animal StudiesSuperseded1 
ACM40418 - Certificate IV in Veterinary NursingCertificate IV in Veterinary NursingCurrent1-2 
ACM50119 - Diploma of Animal TechnologyDiploma of Animal TechnologyCurrent1 
ACM40217 - Certificate IV in Captive AnimalsCertificate IV in Captive AnimalsSuperseded1 
ACM30417 - Certificate III in Companion Animal ServicesCertificate III in Companion Animal ServicesSuperseded1 
ACM50117 - Diploma of Animal TechnologyDiploma of Animal TechnologySuperseded1 
ACM40317 - Certificate IV in Companion Animal ServicesCertificate IV in Companion Animal ServicesSuperseded1-2 
ACM30219 - Certificate III in Animal TechnologyCertificate III in Animal TechnologyCurrent1-2 
ACM30117 - Certificate III in Animal StudiesCertificate III in Animal StudiesSuperseded1 
ACM30217 - Certificate III in Animal TechnologyCertificate III in Animal TechnologySuperseded1 
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Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  29/Nov/2017 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 

Comments 

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 1.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify rodents and rabbits and their behavioural and physical needs, and provide daily care requirements.

This unit applies to individuals working in the animal care industry where it may be necessary to care for rodents and rabbits. This may include animal shelters, pet shops, zoos and animal technology facilities or similar workplaces. In some cases, animals may have been rescued from the wild, and successful rehabilitation is required to restore animal health and wellbeing before releasing back to their natural environment.

The unit applies to individuals who work under broad supervision and provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable problems.

Regulatory requirements apply to this unit but vary according to state/territory jurisdictions. Users must check with the relevant regulatory authority before delivery.

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

Species Specific (SPE)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Element 

Performance criteria 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Identify rodents and rabbits

1.1 Define the profile of rodents and rabbits commonly held in a facility, including habitat, nutrition, health and behavioural characteristics

1.2 Identify external features using industry terminology

1.3 Classify rodents and rabbits using industry terminology

1.4 Define, interpret and document colours, markings and other identifying features

2. Identify and evaluate behavioural and housing needs

2.1 Identify indicators of animal comfort and normal behaviour

2.2 Recognise signs of distress and report to supervisor

2.3 Identify industry standards and guidelines for housing design, environmental factors and appropriate stocking densities

2.4 Evaluate current animal housing design in relation to the welfare of animals kept and legislation requirements

2.5 Identify and implement behavioural enrichment activities for specific rodent and rabbit species

3. Catch, handle and restrain rodents and rabbits

3.1 Identify WHS risks associated with handling and restraining rodents and rabbits, and implement methods to minimise risks

3.2 Select and use appropriate equipment to catch, handle and restrain rodents and rabbits

3.3 Approach and catch rodents and rabbits safely

3.4 Restrain rodents and rabbits using approved animal welfare management procedures

4. Assist with health care needs

4.1 Identify signs of good health in rodents and rabbits

4.2 Report signs of disease or other conditions to supervisor

4.3 Identify general health maintenance and preventative treatment procedures, and implement in accordance with level of job responsibility

4.4 Implement health enrichment activities as directed by supervisor

5. Feed and water rodents and rabbits

5.1 Identify digestive system features and relate to rodent- and rabbit-specific feeding routines and diets

5.2 Identify preferred feed sources and assess samples for quality and suitability

5.3 Identify potential feeding hazards and implement risk control options

5.4 Prepare food in accordance with dietary needs

5.5 Distribute food and water according to schedule/feeding plan or animal requirements

6. Maintain records

6.1 Complete feed and treatment records noting food consumption, health and care activities

6.2 Report abnormalities to supervisor

6.3 Complete documentation relevant to licences and transport, where required

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.

Skill 

Description 

Reading
  • Interpret product labels accurately

Get the work done
  • Comply with relevant legislation requirements relating to 'rodents and rabbits
  • Use problem-solving skills to prioritise daily tasks

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version 

Code and title previous version 

Comments 

Equivalence status 

ACMSPE312 Provide basic care of rodents and rabbits

ACMSPE312A Provide basic care of rodents and rabbits

Updated to meet Standards for Training Packages

Minor changes to clarify content

Assessment requirements revised

Equivalent unit

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

Release 

Comments 

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 1.0.

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:

  • identified the physical and behavioural characteristics and needs of rodents and rabbits
  • provided care for a minimum of two rabbits or two rodents, or one rabbit and one rodent, including (for each):
  • demonstrating appropriate restraint and safe handling techniques
  • preparing and providing food and water
  • assisting with routine health care needs
  • maintaining housing and bedding
  • maintained feed and treatment records for one rabbit or one rodent.

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:

  • anatomical structures and physiological features used to identify and classify common rodents and rabbits
  • general health maintenance and preventative treatment procedures for rodents and rabbits
  • housing, social and activity needs of rodents and rabbits and environmental impacts on health and wellbeing
  • indicators of the physical condition and signs of good health in rodents and rabbits
  • natural rodent and rabbit behaviour
  • characteristics that vary according to environmental conditions, including:
  • lighting
  • noise
  • temperature
  • the breeding season
  • the species, breed, age and sex of the animals
  • the time of day or night
  • characteristics associated with different species, including:
  • activity levels at certain times of day or night
  • social interaction
  • feeding behaviours
  • enurination/spraying
  • defensive and aggressive behaviours
  • submissive gestures
  • enrichment needs, including:
  • food or food-related enrichment
  • physical enrichment items
  • nest building or bedding material
  • social enrichment
  • potential hazards and risks to animals and staff during feeding and cleaning of housing, including zoonoses
  • safe rodent and rabbit handling techniques and procedures, potential hazards and control measures, including personal protective equipment
  • types of food and food supplements and their role in rodent and rabbit diets, including natural dietary requirements for specific species and appropriate plant recognition
  • types of information that is reported and recorded in animal care workplaces
  • state/territory legislation and codes of practice related to captured wildlife, biosecurity, WHS and animal welfare.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

  • physical conditions:
  • a workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • a rabbit and a rodent
  • equipment and resources typically available in an animal care facility
  • specifications:
  • access to organisational policies and procedures, current legislation and relevant codes of practice
  • 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

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