Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform massage therapy and non-invasive health treatments on greyhounds after conducting a physical examination to detect minor injury or dysfunction.
The unit applies to individuals who work with greyhound owners, trainers and veterinarians to assist with optimising the health of racing greyhounds.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory animal welfare and health and safety regulations, legislation, state-based licensing arrangements and standards that apply to the workplace.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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. Assess greyhound suitability for massage therapy or non-invasive treatments | 1.1 Advise owner and/or trainer of scope of practice for a health assistant and the range of non-invasive treatments allowed in the greyhound racing industry 1.2 Obtain background information from owner and/or trainer on greyhound performance to assist in identifying common injuries 1.3 Prepare a safe and controlled area for conducting an examination and non-invasive treatments 1.4 Conduct a physical examination of individual greyhound to identify areas of soreness, muscle tension and joint mobility issues 1.5 Discuss outcomes of examination and discuss proposed treatment plan with owner and/or trainer 1.6 Refer owner to registered veterinarian for conditions outside scope of practice 1.7 Confirm owner and/or trainer consent for treatment |
2. Provide greyhound massage therapy treatments | 2.1 Massage the greyhound using appropriate techniques, sequence, and degree of pressure according to agreed treatment plan 2.2 Identify greyhound reactions to treatment and respond accordingly avoiding pain and distress 2.3 Adapt massage therapy to meet individual needs of the greyhound |
3. Identify and select other non-invasive treatments to address greyhound needs | 3.1 Identify appropriate non-invasive treatments to include in treatment plan 3.2 Select the most appropriate non-invasive treatment for individual greyhound 3.3 Check equipment to be used in treatment to ensure correct functioning and safe use 3.4 Apply treatment to the greyhound using correct techniques |
4. Monitor and evaluate greyhound massage therapy and non-invasive treatments | 4.1 Provide feedback to owner and/or trainer on greyhound response to treatments 4.2 Advise on recovery or stand down times for relevant injuries or rehabilitation 4.3 Arrange follow up treatments according to treatment plan 4.4 Maintain accurate records of treatments for individual greyhounds and provide a copy to owner and/or trainer |
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 |
Writing | Record information clearly and accurately in treatment plans for internal and external purposes |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for following regulatory and racing industry requirements relating to health assistant role and scope of practice |
Get the work done | Plan, sequence and prioritise activities to achieve work outcome Use common workplace technology to record and convey information |
Sectors
Performance services greyhounds (PSG)