Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement animal health control programs.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes of practice and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They complete routine activities and work in a range of known contexts.
All units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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. Assess animal health status and treatment options | 1.1 Source information on animal health program from the livestock production plan 1.2 Assess animal health status and identify potential health issues for different mobs and classes of livestock 1.3 Identify prevention and treatment strategies to resolve health issues 1.4 Source information on parasite immunity to different classes of chemicals and plan for rotation of chemical groups |
2. Prepare for treatment of animals | 2.1 Identify animals affected by infection or parasites or requiring treatment under the animal health plan 2.2 Determine the severity of infection where applicable through approved testing methods or by seeking expert/veterinary advice 2.3 Determine the type and severity of infestation where applicable through faecal egg counts or other tests 2.4 Determine the need for treatment and the type and scope of treatment and prepare according to manufacturer's specifications or veterinary advice 2.5 Prepare equipment and materials and treatment site 2.6 Identify hazards, assess risks and implement control measures 2.7 Select and use personal protective equipment |
3. Treat animals | 3.1 Handle and restrain animals without causing harm or injury to animal or handler and in line with enterprise animal welfare policies 3.2 Administer treatment hygienically and consistently according to manufacturer's specifications or veterinary advice 3.3 Record withholding periods and other details of treatment 3.4 Identify treated animals to ensure withholding period (WHP) compliance and isolation from non-treated animals where required 3.5 Count animals out, prepare and move along a planned route without damage to person, property or environment |
4. Complete treatment process | 4.1 Monitor animal health and condition post-treatment and report abnormalities 4.2 Identify the environmental implications associated with the treatment of animals, assess and control appropriately 4.3 Clean equipment and worksite and dispose of waste, including animal residues 4.4 Store health treatments appropriately 4.5 Document relevant information 4.6 Apply enterprise biosecurity policies where required |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify hazards and implement safe work practices for animal health treatment
identify the symptoms of parasite infestation and other diseases
monitor animal health status and refer to the production plan for intervention strategies
select livestock prone to infection for culling
accurately diagnose the type and severity of infection or parasite infestation
arrange and co-ordinate equipment and resources
read and interpret chemical and veterinary health labels, manufacturer's specifications and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
calculate animal numbers and measure treatment dosage and rates
select and administer treatments appropriate to treat infections and infestations and observe withholding periods
drench and vaccinate livestock
provide due care and humanely handle animals
return animals to prepared and clean environments
monitor animals for treatment effectiveness
apply relevant work health and safety requirements
apply relevant biosecurity, animal welfare and environmental sustainability policies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
types of parasite infestation and their symptoms
parasite resistance of different classes of livestock
application procedures and effects of veterinary chemicals
types of health preparation treatments
enterprise vaccination program and procedures
identification of and prescribed treatments for infections and infestations
grazing management strategies used in internal parasite control
drenching equipment, drenches and their efficiency
relevant codes of practice with regard to the safe use and handling of hazardous substances
withholding periods for treated animals
animal handling and restraint techniques
animal welfare principles
relevant work health and safety and animal welfare legislative and enterprise requirements
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the work place or workplace and simulated environments that accurately reflect performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Livestock (LSK)