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.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice	Yes	No	Comments/feedback
Define the profile of rodents and rabbits commonly held in a facility, including habitat, nutrition, health and behavioural characteristics
Identify external features using industry terminology
Classify rodents and rabbits using industry terminology
Define, interpret and document colours, markings and other identifying features
Identify indicators of animal comfort and normal behaviour
Recognise signs of distress and report to supervisor
Identify industry standards and guidelines for housing design, environmental factors and appropriate stocking densities
Evaluate current animal housing design in relation to the welfare of animals kept and legislation requirements
Identify and implement behavioural enrichment activities for specific rodent and rabbit species
Identify WHS risks associated with handling and restraining rodents and rabbits, and implement methods to minimise risks
Select and use appropriate equipment to catch, handle and restrain rodents and rabbits
Approach and catch rodents and rabbits safely
Restrain rodents and rabbits using approved animal welfare management procedures
Identify signs of good health in rodents and rabbits
Report signs of disease or other conditions to supervisor
Identify general health maintenance and preventative treatment procedures, and implement in accordance with level of job responsibility
Implement health enrichment activities as directed by supervisor
Identify digestive system features and relate to rodent- and rabbit-specific feeding routines and diets
Identify preferred feed sources and assess samples for quality and suitability
Identify potential feeding hazards and implement risk control options
Prepare food in accordance with dietary needs
Distribute food and water according to schedule/feeding plan or animal requirements
Complete feed and treatment records noting food consumption, health and care activities
Report abnormalities to supervisor
Complete documentation relevant to licences and transport, where required

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMSPE312 - Provide basic care of rodents and rabbits

Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

ACMSPE312 - Provide basic care of rodents and rabbits

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: