Assessor Resource

SIFMWK013A
Determine embalming requirements

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to embalming staff and involves working autonomously with a high level of responsibility.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to transfer a deceased person to a mortuary room and ascertain the body condition, classify the body and evaluate the effects and treatments for a range of body conditions and problems.

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

Prerequisites

Nil

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to analyse the embalming requirements by examination to evaluate the treatments and effects for specified body conditions and problems and calculate fluid dilutions for specific conditions using appropriate formulas

ability to determine the appropriate embalming techniques and communicate these to mortuary staff advising of potential emotional issues

knowledge of infection control practices and a full range of embalming procedures

determining embalming requirements on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to and evaluate different situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

demonstration of skills in a facility, most commonly a mortuary, where deceased bodies may be safely stored and examined

access to deceased bodies that require embalming

access to mortuary instruments and equipment

access to personal protective equipment.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of candidate inspecting deceased bodies and identifying appropriate embalming techniques for a range of body conditions

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of all OHS and infection control practices and procedures

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SIFMWK014A Treat the arterial system

SIFMWK015A Treat abdominal and thoracic cavities.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

Submission Requirements

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)

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.

Required skills

communication skills, including clear and direct communication and active listening and questioning techniques, to advise team members of embalming procedures and precautions and identify potential emotional issues

problem-solving skills to identify effects of body conditions and appropriate treatments

literacy and numeracy skills to identify and calculate appropriate solution requirements according to different body conditions and treatments

self-management skills to monitor own response to dealing with deceased bodies and take corrective action.

Required knowledge

infection control practices and procedures

relevant workplace policies and procedures

anatomy, physiology and post-mortem changes

effects of embalming on various causes of death, medical treatments and procedures

body examination techniques

mortuary equipment, instruments and materials

social, cultural and religious requirements

funeral services industry parameters and protocols for dealing with the deceased

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS, infection control and handling human remains.

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.

Mortuary instruments and equipment may include:

injection instruments, including:

gravity and bulb syringe

arterial tube

hand pump

parietal needle

centrifugal pump

stopcock

Y tube

embalming machine

drainage instruments, including:

drain tube

iliac drain tube

grooved director

angular spring forceps

electric or motorised aspirating instruments, including:

autopsy aspirator

hydroaspirator

nasal tube aspirator

trocar

hydrovalve trocar

personal protective equipment

positioning devices

sterilisation equipment

sterilisation chemicals and solutions

portiboy

instruments and instrument tray

dressing table

disinfectant hand solution, paper towels and soap

pedestal lamps

first aid kit

aneurysm needle

bistoury knife

scalpels

scissors

separators

suture needles

needle holder

forceps

cavity fluid injectors

trocar buttons and applicator.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

standard operating policies and procedures

standards and certification requirements

communication protocols

quality assurance procedures

OHS procedures, such as:

infection control procedures

manual handling procedures

material handling procedures, including hazardous or infectious materials

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures

security procedures.

Relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice may include:

OHS

Anatomy Act

Human Tissue Act

Skin Penetration Act

Coroner's Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

local government regulations

funeral services industry code of practice

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Infection control practices may include:

universal precautions, including:

use of personal protective equipment

presumption that all blood and body fluids are infectious

covering exposed cuts and abrasions, particularly on workers' hands, with waterproof coverings prior to commencing work

immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions

use of protective clothing when cleaning spillage of body fluids

checking for infectious and transmittable disease

sterilising apparatus and instruments

providing sterile storage areas for instruments

using disinfectants

safe removal and disposal of soiled and contaminated garments

safe ventilation

avoiding invasive procedures on bodies

immunisation

periodic X-rays

seeking medical advice

recording injury and incidence

reporting injury and incidence

providing first aid kit

performing first aid as necessary

labelling clothing.

Personal protective equipment may include:

disposable gloves

heavy duty gloves

barrier gown or suit

waterproof overshoes

waterproof aprons

splash proof masks

eye goggles

face visor

hair cover

filtered air supply:

negative air pressure

powered positive air supply.

Non-invasive observation techniques may include:

checking for no pulse

looking for fixed and dilated pupils

observing no apparent breathing.

Social, cultural and religious requirements may include:

dress standards

gender of embalming personnel

time required between death and burial or cremation

orientation of the deceased person

restrictions on methods of embalming permissible.

Body classification may include:

gender

age

weight

size

body build.

Body conditions may include:

body moisture content

vascular problems

delayed embalming

discolouration

exposure to drug therapies.

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
Identify and prepare mortuary area and appropriate mortuary instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, relevant legislation and infection control practices. 
Prepare and use personal protective equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation. 
Transfer the deceased person from mortuary refrigerator to mortuary room according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation. 
Confirm death using appropriate non-invasive observation techniques. 
Identify and respect social, cultural and religious requirements. 
Advise team members of the extent of the procedure to be performed and associated precautions that may need to be taken and discuss emotional issues likely to be encountered with a particular case. 
Categorise the deceased into an appropriate body classification. 
Identify physical and chemical changes of the body. 
Inspect the body for a range of body conditions using appropriate instruments, apparatus and materials. 
Identify and evaluate effects and treatments required for any identified body conditions. 
Determine appropriate embalming techniques and required solution quantity, strength, pressures and rates of flow, taking into account identified body conditions and effects of different treatments. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIFMWK013A - Determine embalming requirements
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Assessment Record Sheet

SIFMWK013A - Determine embalming requirements

Student name:

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

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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