ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Revision Number: 1 ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Date this document was generated: 22 August 2016 ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Modification History Not applicable. Unit Descriptor Unit descriptor This unit of competency covers the process of following animal health management practices to monitor animal health via daily observations of behaviour and condition. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. Application of the Unit Application of the unit This unit is applicable to those working in animal care industry sectors where it may be necessary to care for a range of animal species and to monitor the wellbeing of healthy, ill or injured animals by observing and measuring indicators of ideal and poor development or response to treatments. These animals may be being kept long term in the workplace or being raised or prepared for sale, rehousing or release to their native habitat. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised. Approved Page 2 of 14 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 AgriFood Skills Australia ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Date this document was generated: 22 August 2016 Licensing/Regulatory Information Not applicable. Pre-Requisites Prerequisite units Employability Skills Information Employability skills This unit contains employability skills. Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content Elements describe the Performance criteria describe the performance needed to essential outcomes of a demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold unit of competency. italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. Approved Page 3 of 14 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 AgriFood Skills Australia ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Date this document was generated: 22 August 2016 Elements and Performance Criteria ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 1. Follow animal health 1.1. Personal health and hygiene standards are management maintained in accordance with occupational health practices and safety (OHS) and organisation policies and procedures. 1.2. Animal diseases and their impact on animals and humans are identified. 1.3. Broad categories of parasitic infestations are identified. 1.4. Quarantine areas are prepared and maintained in accordance with quarantine protocols 1.5. Animals requiring quarantine are identified and isolated. 1.6. Quarantine records are maintained in accordance with organisation policies and procedures. 2. Monitor and maintain 2.1. Different types of animal's anatomy and physiology the physical are identified, compared and examined to determine wellbeing of animals physical appearance, particular body structures and observation recording requirements. 2.2. Indicators of animal health are regularly monitored and tested in accordance with organisation standard operating procedures and facility demarcation/quarantine requirements involving movement of animals within or between facilities. 2.3. The physical environment of animals is assessed for evidence of problems that may affect the physical wellbeing of animals 2.4. Animal activity monitoring and health information and records are maintained in accordance with organisation standard operating procedures. 3. Identify and report 3.1. Signs of illness or injury are recognised and signs of ill health or reported to supervisor. injury in animals 3.2. Abnormal animal behaviour and conditions are recognised and reported to supervisor. 3.3. Samples are collected correctly and recorded as directed in accordance with organisation policies and procedures. 3.4. Sick or injured animals are separated from other animals, as required, and cared for in accordance with supervisor or veterinary advice. 3.5. Animals that are ill or injured are handled in accordance with OHS and legislative requirements, Approved Page 4 of 14 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 AgriFood Skills Australia ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Date this document was generated: 22 August 2016 ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA relevant codes of practice and organisation policies and procedures. 4. Administer and 4.1. Authorised animal treatments are administered record animal under supervision and dosages recorded in treatments accordance with organisation policies and procedures. 4.2. Routine preventative health treatments are regularly monitored, administered and recorded in accordance with organisation standard operating procedures. 4.3. Appropriate storage of treatments is identified and used in accordance with organisation policies and procedures. 4.4. Records relating to animal health status, before and after treatment, and to the specific nature of treatment provided are completed in accordance with organisation policies and procedures. Approved Page 5 of 14 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 AgriFood Skills Australia ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Date this document was generated: 22 August 2016 Required Skills and Knowledge REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. Required skills  complete relevant work-related documents  employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling animals  maintain the highest standards of personal and workplace hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection  participate in arrangements for maintaining the health and safety of all people and animals in the workplace  take and record animals temperature, pulse, respiration and hydration indicators where appropriate  literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and animal welfare; follow sequenced written instructions; and record information accurately and legibly  oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor  numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures  interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities  problem-solving skills to assess appropriate practices and prioritise daily tasks  use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly  use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment  use safe waste handling and disposal procedures. Required knowledge  anatomical and physiological terminology and glossary of terms  anatomical and physiological structures and functions related to animal health and wellbeing  broad categories of parasitic infestations  common diseases, ailments, injuries and other impacts on animal health and wellbeing  housing, exercise, social and activity needs of animals  indicators of poor response to treatment or management of young, ill, injured or compromised animals  indicators of recovery from illness or injury  methods used to measure, interpret and record animals weight and other objective measures of animal health Approved Page 6 of 14 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 AgriFood Skills Australia ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Date this document was generated: 22 August 2016 REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE  principles of animal welfare and ethics  relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice  quarantine protocols  safe work practices  terminology used to describe and document health and behavioural signs and symptoms  workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials. Approved Page 7 of 14 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 AgriFood Skills Australia ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Date this document was generated: 22 August 2016 Evidence Guide EVIDENCE GUIDE The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. Overview of assessment Critical aspects for assessment and The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this evidence required to demonstrate unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy competency in this unit all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:  carry out routine, consistent monitoring of animal health and physical wellbeing  maintain personal health and a hygienic work environment  follow quarantine protocols as required  identify good health, illness, injury and abnormal behaviour in animals and report to supervisor  administer authorised animal treatments and implement routine preventative health programs as directed  maintain accurate animal activity monitoring, health, treatment and quarantine records. The skills and knowledge required to maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events. Context of and specific resources for Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and assessment will be most appropriately assessed in an animal care industry sector workplace in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries, aviaries, companion animal training, grooming establishments, animal shelters, zoos, wildlife parks, mobile animal facilities and animal technology facilities. There must be access in either situation to a range of Approved Page 8 of 14 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 AgriFood Skills Australia ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Date this document was generated: 22 August 2016 EVIDENCE GUIDE animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.Assessment must be relevant to the industry sector in which candidates are working and must cover a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups OR at least three breeds from within one of the six major animal groups (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates. Method of assessment To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances over a number of assessment activities. The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:  written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge  observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks  simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions  third-party evidence  workplace documentation  portfolio. This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role. Guidance information for Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands assessment (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds). Approved Page 9 of 14 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 AgriFood Skills Australia ACMGAS301A Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing Date this document was generated: 22 August 2016 Range Statement RANGE STATEMENT The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. Animals may include:  animals commonly encountered within the industry workplace and may cover both native and introduced species  animals from the six major animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates). Personal health and hygiene  appropriate handling reprocessing of reusable equipment standards may include:  aseptic technique  cover cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressing and change as necessary  maintain personal immunisation/vaccination requirements for working with animals where required  personal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands before and after animal contact and/or any activity likely to cause cross-contamination  safe handling and disposal of sharps and other clinical, related and general waste  use of personal protective clothing and equipment and change as appropriate for the intended use. OHS risks when working with  animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries animals may include:  biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal  handling of chemicals and medicines  gas leakage  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) Approved Page 10 of 14 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 AgriFood Skills Australia