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Unit of competency details

ACMSPE315 - Provide general care of common native mammals (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes and is equivalent to ACMSPE303 - Provide basic care of common native mammalsChanged title. Minor changes to performance criteria for clarity. Assessment requirements updated 12/Apr/2021

Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 13/Apr/2021


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  13/Apr/2021 
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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 4.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify common native mammals 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 native mammals. This may include animal shelters or rehabilitation organisations, 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.

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

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

Species Specific (SPE)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1. Identify mammals

1.1 Define the habitat, activity cycle and general features of native mammals commonly cared for in facility

1.2 Identify and describe external features of native mammals using industry terminology

1.3 Classify native mammals according to their taxonomy

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 Assess 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 animal species

3. Catch, handle and restrain native mammals

3.1 Identify workplace health and safety risks associated with handling and restraining native mammals and implement methods to minimise risks

3.2 Select and use appropriate handling equipment and personal protective equipment to catch, handle and restrain native mammals

3.3 Approach, catch and restrain native mammals safely using low stress handling techniques to minimise risks to the animal and others

4. Assist with health care needs

4.1 Identify signs of good health in native mammals

4.2 Report signs of disease or other conditions to supervisor

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

5. Feed native mammals

5.1 Identify digestive system features and relate to native mammal specific feeding routines and diets

5.2 Identify preferred food sources and assess 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 key information and quantities specified on product labels

Numeracy

  • Measure quantities of food and/or health treatments accurately

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version

Code and title previous version

Comments

Equivalence status

ACMSPE315 Provide general care of common native mammals

ACMSPE303 Provide basic care of common native mammals

Changed title

Minor changes to performance criteria for clarity

Assessment requirements updated

Equivalent

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 4.0.

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 habitat, activity cycle and general features and needs of two different species of common native mammals
  • provided general care for a minimum of one native mammal, including:
  • demonstrated appropriate restraint and safe handling techniques
  • evaluated appropriate housing to ensure the welfare of animals
  • prepared and provided food
  • assisted with health care needs
  • maintained feed and husbandry records for each animal.

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 native mammals, including marsupials and monotremes
  • general health maintenance and preventative treatment procedures for native mammals
  • indicators of physical condition and signs of good health in native mammals
  • housing, social and activity needs of native mammals and environmental impacts on health and wellbeing
  • natural native mammal behaviour
  • behaviour characteristics that can vary according to:
  • breeding season
  • species, breed, age and sex of the animals
  • activity cycles
  • behaviour characteristics associated with different species:
  • feeding and foraging
  • social interaction
  • territorial behaviours
  • native mammal 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
  • principles of animal welfare and basic overview of animal welfare assessment frameworks/models, including the Five Domains
  • safe native mammal handling techniques and procedures, potential hazards and control measures, including use of personal protective equipment
  • types and impacts of food in native mammal diets, including natural dietary requirements for specific species, and appropriate plant recognition
  • indicators of food quality, including nutritional value, freshness and shelf life, free from spoilage and pests
  • types of information reported and recorded in animal care workplaces
  • key requirements of Commonwealth and state/territory legislation, licensing and codes of practice related to captured wildlife, biosecurity, health and safety and animal welfare.

Assessment Conditions

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

  • physical conditions:
  • an animal care workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • common live native mammal as required in the performance evidence
  • equipment and resources typically available in an animal care facility, including personal protective equipment
  • specifications:
  • organisational policies and procedures, current legislation and relevant codes of practice
  • relationships:
  • 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