Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to treat a variety of complex cases of ante mortem complications using radical techniques, where such action is required and likely to be successful, prior to a viewing of the deceased person by the family. The ante mortem cases requiring specialised embalming skills include bariatric deceased persons, deceased persons with emaciation, jaundice and oedema. 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 treat complex cases of ante mortem complications. | 1.1 Prepare and use personal protective equipment. 1.2 Prepare mortuary area and appropriate mortuary instruments and equipment. 1.3 Conduct case analysis to identify type of condition through physical examination of the deceased person. 1.4 Liaise with funeral staff and family, where appropriate, about the possible outcome of the treatment for viewing purposes. |
2. Treat bariatric deceased person. | 2.1 Determine if assistance is required to move deceased. 2.2 Establish best positioning for the embalming procedure. 2.3 Confirm appropriate primary injection site. 2.4 Determine specific chemicals required including strength and volume. 2.5 Recognise and manage hazards, complications and problems. |
3. Treat deceased persons with emaciation. | 3.1 Cleanse and disinfect the body. 3.2 Check skin for skin slip and durability. 3.3 Identify extent of emaciation. 3.4 Confirm appropriate primary injection site. 3.5 Determine specific chemicals required including strength and volume. 3.6 Identify hypodermic injection sites for areas requiring feature building. 3.7 Recognise and manage hazards, complications and problems. |
4. Treat deceased persons with jaundice. | 4.1 Check whites of eyes for jaundice. 4.2 Cleanse and disinfect the body. 4.3 Check skin for skin slip and durability. 4.4 Identify extent of jaundice condition in relation to bilirubin/biliverdin conversion. 4.5 Confirm appropriate primary injection site. 4.6 Determine specific chemicals required including strength and volume. 4.7 Recognise and manage hazards, complications and problems. |
5. Treat deceased persons with oedema. | 5.1 Cleanse and disinfect the body. 5.2 Check skin for skin slip and durability. 5.3 Identify type, location and extent of oedema through physical examination of the deceased person’s skin. 5.4 Confirm appropriate primary injection site. 5.5 Determine specific chemicals required including strength and volume. 5.6 Use elevation or other techniques to reduce swelling. 5.7 Check for leakage areas. 5.8 Identify and manage hazards, complications and problems. |
6. Complete documentation and clean instruments, equipment and mortuary area. | 6.1 Complete case analysis report including reference to any complications that occurred during treatment and corrective actions taken. 6.2 Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment. 6.3 Dispose of waste materials as appropriate. 6.4 Store instruments and equipment and report faults. 6.5 Clean and disinfect mortuary area. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
identify treatment requirements through a pre-embalming case analysis and treat complex cases of ante mortem complications 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
complete the case analysis report.
Evidence of performance of treating two or more complex ante mortem cases is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge of:
requirements for preparing the mortuary facility
mortuary equipment, instruments and materials and associated uses
cause and effect of people who have died of infectious and other diseases or complications and the embalming implications of these conditions
specific body examination techniques for oedema
case specific chemicals, strengths and volume
properties of cauterising agents
anatomical and linear guides for selected arteries raised
hypodermic insertion procedures for emaciated cases
hazards, complications and problems that may be associated with treating complex cases of ante mortem complications, including but not restricted to:
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
funeral services industry parameters and protocols for dealing with the deceased, including social, cultural and religious considerations
federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations in relevant to work health and safety/occupational health and safety, infection control and handling human remains
environmental impacts regarding embalming procedures and minimal impact practices to reduce these
correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substances
workplace policies and procedures in relation to treating tissue gas
funeral services industry parameters and protocols for dealing with the deceased, including social cultural and religious considerations.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a mortuary workplace:
using suitable equipment and resources, including:
deceased bodies exhibiting a variety of complex ante mortem cases
mortuary instruments and equipment including personal protective equipment, chemicals 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
interaction with team members
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:
Learning skills to identify and assess a variety of complex cases of ante mortem complications.
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