Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to treat a variety of complex cases of post 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 post mortem cases requiring specialised embalming skills include deceased persons with advanced decomposition, tissue gas, major trauma, frozen deceased bodies and deceased organ and tissue donors. 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 post 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 deceased persons with advanced decomposition. | 2.1 Cleanse and disinfect the body. 2.2 Identify extent of decomposition. 2.3 Check skin for skin slip and durability. 2.4 Determine if arterial injection is possible and identify primary injection sites. 2.5 Conduct hypodermic and surface embalming as required. 2.6 If needed, securely wrap deceased in plastic and sheeting using embalming powders to contain odour and leakage. 2.7 Recognise and manage hazards, complications and problems. |
3. Treat frozen deceased persons. | 3.1 Determine extent of frozen condition. 3.2 Thaw to pliable condition to allow access to arteries. 3.3 Use hypodermic or surface embalming to areas not receiving arterial solution. 3.4 Wrap deceased in plastic and sheeting using embalming powders to contain leakage. 3.5 Cleanse and disinfect the body. 3.6 Check skin for skin slip and durability. 3.7 Determine specific chemicals required including strength and volume. 3.8 Recognise and manage hazards, complications and problems. |
4. Treat deceased organ and tissue donors. | 4.1 Determine extent of organ and tissue donation. 4.2 Remove all sutures. 4.3 Remove and disinfect any bone replacement material in limbs if present. 4.4 Dry area and apply cauterizing agent. 4.5 Perform arterial/hypodermic/surface embalming as required. 4.6 Reinsert disinfected bone replacement material into limbs if applicable. 4.7 Suture all incisions. 4.8 Apply appropriate glue to incision areas as required. 4.9 Wrap body appropriately to contain possible leakage. |
5. Treat deceased persons with tissue gas. | 5.1 Cleanse and disinfect the body. 5.2 Check skin for skin slip and durability. 5.3 Confirm appropriate primary injection site. 5.4 Determine specific chemicals required including strength and volume. 5.5 Identify exit points for the tissue gas. 5.6 Insert hypodermic needle into appropriate point to create a channelling effect toward the tissue gas. 5.7 Move gas in direction of hypodermic holes to facilitate its expulsion from the deceased person’s body. 5.8 Create a barrier to prevent gas travelling into the face. 5.9 Apply cauterising agent as required. 5.10 Recognise and manage hazards, complications and problems. |
6. Treat deceased persons with major trauma. | 6.1 Cleanse and disinfect the body. 6.2 Check skin for skin slip and durability. 6.3 Determine extent and location of trauma. 6.4 Rejoin bones using wire or glue. 6.5 Reconstruct and position bones. 6.6 Form missing bony structures artificially formed if needed. 6.7 Treat trauma areas that will be covered by clothing, in appropriate manner to ensure preservation and restoration and bandage accordingly. 6.8 Treat visible trauma areas in appropriate manner to ensure preservation and restoration using wax, cosmetics or bandage accordingly for viewing. 6.9 Recognise and manage hazards, complications and problems. |
7. Complete documentation and clean instruments, equipment and mortuary area. | 7.1 Complete case analysis report that includes reference to any complications that occurred during treatment and corrective actions taken. 7.2 Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment. 7.3 Dispose of waste materials as appropriate. 7.4 Store instruments and equipment and report faults. 7.5 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 post 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 post 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 tissue gas
case specific chemicals, strengths and volume
properties of cauterising agents
anatomical and linear guides for selected arteries raised
hypodermic insertion procedures for tissue gas cases
areas to be treated with restorative work for trauma cases
hazards, complications and problems that may be associated with treating complex cases of post mortem complications, 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
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.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a mortuary workplace:
using suitable equipment and resources, including:
deceased bodies exhibiting a variety of complex post 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 post 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