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

problemsolving 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

selfmanagement 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 postmortem 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 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 thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the candidate

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

SIFMWKA Treat the arterial system

SIFMWK014A Treat the arterial system

SIFMWKA Treat abdominal and thoracic cavities

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

Mortuary instruments and equipment may include:

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

Relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice may include:

Infection control practices may include:

Personal protective equipment may include:

Non-invasive observation techniques may include:

Social, cultural and religious requirements may include:

Body classification may include:

Body conditions may include: