Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to perform head and body restoration on autopsied bodies. It applies to embalming staff who work autonomously with a high level of responsibility and according to work health and safety, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.
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. Prepare to perform head and body restoration. | 1.1 Prepare and use personal protective equipment. 1.2 Prepare mortuary area and appropriate instruments and equipment. 1.3 Identify extent of head and body restoration required through examination of the deceased person. |
2. Perform head restoration. | 2.1 Remove suturing from scalp. 2.2 Remove calvaria and packing material. 2.3 Treat calvaria, cranial cavity and scalp areas using a cauterising agent. 2.4 Pack cranial cavity as required. 2.5 Refix calvaria using skull clamps, glue or suture technique as appropriate. 2.6 Cover gaps using sealing compounds as required. 2.7 Suture scalp and seal closed. 2.8 Wash and dry hair using germicidal soaps and shampoos as required. 2.9 Identify hazards, complications and problems and take appropriate corrective action. |
3. Perform body restoration. | 3.1 Remove all suturing from body. 3.2 Remove sternum, viscera and packing material. 3.3 Treat sternum, body cavity and exposed tissue areas using a cauterising agent, preserving gel, or powder. 3.4 Pack pelvic cavity as required. 3.5 Restore throat/neck area as appropriate. 3.6 Return treated viscera into cavity. 3.7 Put treated sternum in place. 3.8 For long bone donation, re-insert disinfected bone replacement material. 3.9 Apply appropriate suturing techniques and glue to all autopsy incisions. 3.10 Re-cleanse and disinfect body. 3.11 Identify hazards, complications and problems and take appropriate corrective action. |
4. Clean instruments, equipment and mortuary area. | 4.1 Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment. 4.2 Dispose of waste materials. 4.3 Store instruments and equipment and report faults. 4.4 Clean and disinfect mortuary area. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
identify requirements through examination to treat the head and body after an autopsy using correct techniques and following work health and safety/occupational health and safety and infection control practices
prepare mortuary area and select and use the required instruments and equipment
clean, disinfect and sterilise the mortuary area, instruments and equipment at conclusion of the treatment.
Evidence of performance of treating the head and body after autopsy of different cases on two or more occasions is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge of:
mortuary instruments and equipment used for restoring the head and body after an autopsy and associated uses
requirements for preparing the mortuary area
properties and uses of germicidal sprays and disinfectants
anatomical structure and functions of the head and body in relation to the restoration of the head and body after autopsy
concept of suturing and basic techniques in relation to embalming
hazards, complications and problems that may be associated with head and body restoration, including:
sharps injuries
needle stick injuries
blood splash
infection
chemical spill
wet area
application of standard 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 commencement of work
immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions
workplace policies and procedures for performing head and body restorations
correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substances
funeral services industry parameters and protocols for dealing with the deceased, including social, cultural and religious requirements considerations
federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to work health and safety/occupational health and safety, infection control and handling human remains.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a mortuary workplace:
using suitable equipment and resources, including:
deceased bodies on which autopsies have been performed
mortuary instruments and equipment including personal protective equipment and cleansing and disinfecting products
under industry operating conditions where there is:
integration of tasks with possible interruptions to work typical of the job role
speed and timing requirements that reflect commercial operating conditions
As well as satisfying the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements, assessors must also hold formal qualifications as an embalmer.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed below:
Reading skills to interpret work health and safety and infection control legislation.
Numeracy skills to calculate ratio for disinfecting instruments and equipment.
Sectors
Embalming
Competency Field
Mortuary Work and Embalming