FIELD                 AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

 

Review of Animal Care and Handling unit standards

 

Subfield

Domain

Id

Animal Care and Handling

Animal Care

5148-5154, 5170, 5176, 5193, 5195, 5200, 7337, 7399

Animal Husbandry

5165, 5167

Veterinary Nursing

5155-5158, 5160, 5194, 5202-5204, 5213, 5216

 

National Qualifications Services (NQS) has completed the review of the unit standards listed above that were registered in June and August 1996, September 1999, June 2000, and October 2002.

 

Date new versions published                                                 July 2005

 

New comments by date                                                            July 2009

 

Expiry date of new versions of the unit standards           December 2010

 

Summary of review and consultation process

 

In 2003, NQS, with the Animal Nursing and Technology (ANTECH) Board of New Zealand Veterinary Association as its primary advisory body, initiated a review of selected Animal Care and Handling unit standards following feedback from assessors that changes were needed.

 

A review panel including representation from industry and providers met in December 2003 and in 2004 to review the standards.  Parallel to the review of standards, new standards were developed by a separate ANTECH Board-endorsed working party to meet the needs of rural animal technicians.

 

Consultation drafts for both reviewed and new standards were sent to:

·        ANTECH Board industry networks, including the New Zealand Veterinary Association and New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association

·        All current providers of unit standards-based animal care and handling qualifications

·        Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) with an interest in animal care and handling unit standards.

 

All feedback received was considered by the review panel and has informed the new versions of the standards, which were endorsed by the ANTECH Board.

 

Main changes resulting from the review

 

The main changes are as follows.

 

·        Where appropriate, restrictive ranges were made more flexible or removed.

·        Titles were amended where appropriate to reflect the overall outcome of the unit standards, as reviewed.

·        Element statements were amended where appropriate to reflect the overall outcome of the combined performance criteria, as reviewed.

·        Where appropriate, content was rationalised within or between unit standards to ensure consistency with overall outcomes and/or to prevent repetition and overlap.

·        Where appropriate, practical evidence requirements that focused\\ on abnormal animal health conditions or possible complications post-birth or post-treatment/surgery were changed to knowledge-based requirements.

·        A number of unit standards designated category C reviews were replaced with more clearly focused unit standards that better reflect the needs of the sector.

·        Elements focusing on providing advice to clients were removed from animal care unit standards at level 2 (units 5148-5154 and unit 7337) and from unit 5165.  This reflects the changed focus of unit 5165, and the contexts for assessment of the other unit standards.

·        As indicated in the following list of standards, levels were changed where required to reflect competencies as reviewed, or where the original level did not appropriately reflect the processes, learning demand and responsibility involved.

·        Credits were changed for some unit standards, as indicated in the list, to reflect more accurately the total time required to achieve reviewed unit standard outcomes and content.

·        Units 5167 and 5194 were designated for expiry because relevant content is well covered by other standards.

·        Special notes were updated in line with current legislation and industry standards, and expanded when additional clarification about terminology or assessment conditions was required.  Special notes relating to underpinning knowledge were removed from units 5155-5158, 5160, 5165, 5202-5204 and 5213.  Any essential knowledge and skills were incorporated as prerequisites or as part of evidence requirements.

·        Six new standards were developed to fill identified gaps in relation to rural animal technician competencies: units 21355-21360.

 

Unit standards categorised as category C or D expire at the end of December 2006.

 

Impact on existing provider accreditations

 

Current Accreditation for

Accreditation extended to

Nature of accreditation

Classification or Id

Level

Nature of accreditation

Classification or Id

Level

Standard

5170

3

Standard

21379

2

5193

3

Standard

21380

3

7399

2

Standard

21381

2

 

Impact on Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP)

 

AMAP 0087 was updated to reflect the changes made to the standards.

 

Impact on existing qualifications

 

Qualifications that contain the reviewed standards are tabled below.

 

Affected

The qualification lists a reviewed classification (domain or subfield) in an elective set

The qualification lists a standard that has changes to level or credits

The qualification lists a C or D category standard

Not materially affected

The qualification lists a standard that has a new title

The qualification lists a standard that has a new classification

 

The following National Qualifications Services qualifications are materially affected by the outcome of this review and will be reviewed to take account of the changes during 2005 or 2006.  Unit standards that have changes to level or credits, or are designated for expiry, are in bold.

 

Qualification Title

Standard in the qualification

National Certificate in Animal Care [Ref: 0241]

5148, 5149, 5150, 5165, 5170, 5193, 5213, 7337, 7399

National Certificate in Veterinary Nursing [Ref: 0221]

5148, 5149, 5150, 5155, 5157, 5158, 5165, 5167, 5170, 5176, 5193, 5194, 5195, 5213, 5216, 7337

National Certificate in Animal Care and Handling (Dog Groomer) [Ref: 0242]

5148, 5170, 5193, 7337, 7399

National Certificate in Animal Care and Handling with strands in Guide Dog Breeding Services, Guide Dog Puppy Development, and Guide Dog Kennel Services [Ref: 0263]

5157, 5165, 5167, 5170, 5193, 5194, 5213, 7337, 7399

National Certificate in Animal Training (Dog Trainer) [Ref: 0243]

5165, 5170, 5193, 7337, 7399

National Diploma in Animal Training (Trainer Instructor) [Ref: 0264]

5170, 5193, 7337, 7399

 

The following National Qualifications Services qualification is not materially affected by the changes.  It will be updated when it is next reviewed or revised.

 

Qualification Title

Standard in the qualification

National Diploma in Laboratory Animal Care [Ref: 0245]

5176

 

The following qualifications are also affected by the outcome of this review.  Unit standards that have changes to level or credits, or are designated for expiry, are in bold.

The standard setting bodies (SSBs) were advised that they require revision.

 

Qualification Title

Standard in the qualification

SSB Name

National Certificate in Urban Search and Rescue – Operations (Level 3) with strands in Canine Search Specialist, Response Leader, Response Medic, Rope Operations, Technician, and Training [Ref: 1114]

5170, 7337, 7399

Fire and Rescue Services Industry Training Organisation

National Certificate in Compliance and Regulatory Control (Animal Control) (Level 4) with an optional strand in Animal Shelter [Ref: 0533]

5193

Local Government Industry Training Organisation

 

This review replaced some expiring unit standards with new standards.  For qualification purposes, people who have gained credit for the expiring standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards.

 

Expiring Standards

Replacement Standards

5150

21382 and 21383

5170

21379

5193

21380

5216

21384

7399

21381

 

Summary of main changes to standards’ Ids, classification, titles, levels, and credits

 

The following summary shows the changes made to the standards as a result of the review.  All changes are in bold.

 

Key to review category

 

A

Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the replacement standard carries the same Id and a new version number

B

Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the replacement standard carries the same Id and a new version number

C

Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new Id

D

Standard will expire and not be replaced

 

Subfield          Animal Care and Handling

Domain          Animal Care

Id

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

5148

Monitor health and provide husbandry for cats

2

5

B

5149

Monitor health and provide husbandry for rodents and rabbits

2

2

4

B

5150

 

21382

 

21383

Monitor health and provide husbandry for fish, reptiles, and amphibians

Monitor health and provide husbandry for ornamental fish

Monitor health and provide husbandry for reptiles and amphibians

2

 

2

 

2

2

 

2

 

2

C

5151

Monitor health and provide husbandry for caged birds

2

2

3

B

5152

Monitor health and provide husbandry for horses

2

4

5

B

5153

Monitor health and provide husbandry for ruminants

2

4

5

B

5154

Monitor health and provide husbandry for pigs

2

4

B

5170

 

21379

Prepare small animals for local and international transport

Demonstrate knowledge of requirements relating to transport of cats and dogs

3

 

2

2

 

2

C

5176

Collect and carry out tests on diagnostic samples from animals, and prepare and despatch samples

Collect and test diagnostic samples from companion animals, and prepare the samples for dispatch

3

4

B

5193

21380

Maintain animal facility environmental hygiene

Demonstrate and apply knowledge relating to animal facility environmental hygiene

3

3

5

5

C

5195

Manage a veterinary reception area

Demonstrate knowledge and skills for providing veterinary reception services

4

3

6

B

5200

Prepare for an intravenous drip, monitor an animal while on fluid therapy

Prepare for an intravenous drip, and monitor an animal while on fluid therapy

4

4

B

7337

Monitor health and provide husbandry for dogs

3

2

5

B

7399

 

21381

Demonstrate knowledge of ethics and legislation as they apply to the care and handling of animals

Demonstrate knowledge of ethical behaviour in relation to animals

2

 

2

3

 

3

C

21355

Collect and test diagnostic samples from large animals, and prepare the samples for dispatch

3

 

5

New

21357

Describe exotic diseases in farm animals, and measures and responsibilities for disease control

2

4

New

21358

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of parasites affecting horses and production animals

4

8

New

21360

Monitor health and provide husbandry for poultry

2

4

New

 

Domain          Animal Husbandry

Id

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

5165

Assist with parturition and after care of companion animals, respond to client requests for advice

Describe parturition and after care of companion animals

3

3

B

5167

Provide ongoing care for paediatric companion animal patients and the mother

3

2

D

21356

Perform disbudding and dehorning procedures on cattle

3

4

New

21359

Perform ultrasound scanning for pregnancy diagnosis in farm animals

4

6

New

 

Domain          Veterinary Nursing

Id

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

5155

Prepare animal patients for surgery

3

4

5

B

5156

Assist with animal surgery as a circulating nurse

Assist with animal surgery as a circulating veterinary nurse

5

8

B

5157

Assist with animal surgery as a surgical assistant

Assist with animal surgery as a surgical veterinary nurse

4

5

7

5

B

5158

Assist the veterinarian with animal anaesthetic and analgesic procedures

5

20

18

B

5160

Nurse a hospitalised animal patient

3

5

B

5194

Assist the veterinarian with small animal consultations

3

3

D

5202

Assist the veterinarian to perform post-mortem procedures

3

3

B

5203

Assist the veterinarian with equine consultations and surgery

4

3

20

15

B

5204

Assist the veterinarian with consultations and surgery involving farm animals

4

3

10

15

B

5213

Assist with artificial breeding of small animals

Assist with artificial breeding of dogs

4

2

2

B

5216

 

21384

Demonstrate knowledge of ethics and legislation as it applies to nurses in a veterinary practice

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of professional behaviour for veterinary nurses

2

 

3

3

 

3

C