SIFFNL001A
Transfer deceased persons

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to lift, move and transfer a deceased person to a funeral vehicle for transporting to a mortuary. Itinvolves the completion of documentation requirements regarding transfer movements.

Application

This unit applies to funeral home staff and involves working as part of a team and may involve directing or supervising others.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Prepare to collect deceased person.

1.1

Identify transfer requirements according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

1.2

Identify, locate and prepare appropriate transfer vehicle.

1.3

Identify, locate and prepare transfer equipment and place in transfer vehicle.

1.4

Identify and use personal protective equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

2

Complete documentation and legal requirements to transfer deceased person.

2.1

Obtain positive identification of deceased person and label according to workplace policies and procedures.

2.2

Consult with clients to obtain information to complete documentation according to workplace policies and procedures.

2.3

Complete and check legal documentation according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

2.4

Obtain Death Certificate from appropriate sources where available and check prior to transferring deceased person according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

2.5

Check Death Certificate where applicable to identify presence of infectious disease and take appropriate precautions as required.

2.6

Report and document personal effects according to workplace policies and procedures.

2.7

Provide completed documentation to appropriatepersonnel.

2.8

Notify appropriate personnel of discrepancies in legal documentation.

2.9

Report suspicious deaths according to relevant legislation.

3

Transfer deceased person to funeral vehicle.

3.1

Identify safest and most appropriate method of moving deceased person.

3.2

Identify wrapping considerations and wrap deceased person according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

3.3

Apply manual handling techniques to transfer deceased person to funeral vehicle according to workplace policies and procedures.

3.4

Return premises to original state according to workplace policies and procedures.

4

Transport and transfer deceased person to mortuary.

4.1

Transport deceased person to mortuary according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

4.2

Transfer deceased person from trolley or other apparatus to vacant mortuary tray according to workplace policies and procedures.

4.3

Conduct immediate cleaning or purging of deceased body as required during transfer.

4.4

Position deceased person according to workplace policies and procedures.

4.5

Store deceased person according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

4.6

Notify funeral arranger of coffin or casket requirements.

5

Reinstate transfer vehicle and equipment.

5.1

Return transfer vehicle to correct location.

5.2

Clean transfer vehicle according to workplace policies and procedures.

5.3

Clean transfer equipment according to workplace policies and procedures.

5.4

Return transfer equipment to correct location.

Required Skills

Required skills

safe manual handling techniques

communication skills, including clear and direct communication and active listening and questioning techniques to identify and confirm transfer requirements

literacy and numeracy skills to understand written documentation, complete and check documentation, obtain information, and read maps and signage

interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problem-solving skills to identify most appropriate method to move deceased persons

teamwork skills to work with other staff and personnel

planning and organisational skills to plan and prepare to transfer deceased persons.

Required knowledge

workplace policies and procedures

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS and the transfer of deceased persons and associated documentation

infection control practices.

Evidence Required

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 identify transfer vehicle, equipment and documentary requirements to meet the needs of the specific transfer

the correct identification of the deceased person, accurate completion of documentation and transfer to the correct destination

use of sensitive and empathetic verbal and non-verbal communication with the deceased family

safe manual handling techniques

knowledge of local regulations for death certificates and other documentation for the transfer of deceased persons

transferring deceased persons on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

demonstration of skills within and between funeral service facilities, such as funeral homes, cemeteries and crematoria

access to relevant documentation, such as Death Certificates

access to transfer equipment and funeral transfer vehicle.

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 identifying and applying procedures for collection of deceased persons, including lifting, transferring and transporting deceased persons and reinstating transfer vehicles and equipment

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant procedures with regard to performing transfer of deceased persons

review of workplace documents completed by candidate

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:

SIFFNL002A Assist with the conduct of a funeral.

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.


Range Statement

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.

Transfer requirements may include:

speed and timing of transfer

pick-up point, such as:

private homes

hospitals

nursing homes

police or coroner's premises

social, cultural and religious requirements, such as:

funeral and mourning dress standards

cultural rituals to assist grieving

taboos regarding death

OHS issues, such as:

size and weight of deceased person

infectious waste

toxic gases

cancer producing agents

blood borne viruses

droplet infections

bacterial infections

sharps

aerosol exposure from lungs of body.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

standard operating policies and procedures

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

OHS procedures, such as:

workplace environment and safety

use of personal protective equipment

manual handling procedures

use of tools and equipment

material handling procedures, including hazardous or infectious materials

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

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures

security procedures

dress standards, such as uniform or business suit

completion of documentation, including:

correct recording of name, age and sex

correct recording of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status

correct completion of any other questions

Death Certificate or Certificate of Life Extinct signed by doctor

staff conduct.

Relevant legislation and regulations may include:

OHS

Coroner's Act

federal transportation regulations

Airlines Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration

Dangerous Goods Act

local government regulations

cemetery Acts and by-laws

Crematorium Acts

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Transfer equipment may include:

lifting aids

trolley

stretcher

body bags

linen

disinfectant hand solution, paper towel and soap

ordinary laundry bags

plastic laundry bags

plastic ordinary waste bags

plastic infectious waste bags

paper towels for cleaning

hydrochloride disinfectant solution

small first aid kit

packs of padding suitable for dressing wounds on bodies

plastic for preventing leakage

plastic sheeting for wrapping bodies

waterproof tape for sealing wrapped bodies

capsules for transporting babies.

Personal protective equipment may include:

disposable gloves

heavy duty gloves

protective overgarments

overshoes

waterproof aprons

masks and goggles.

Clients may include:

family of deceased

friends of deceased

other relevant persons.

Documentation may include:

Death Certificate or Certificate of Life Extinct

notification of life extinct

death registration form

coroner's warrant

medical report

transfer instructions

waterproof identification tag fixed securely to body

list of personal property, including clothing and shoes for preparation of the deceased

receipts for jewellery and other valuables

mortuary occupancy register

embalming form.

Personal effects may include:

jewellery

valuables.

Appropriate personnel may include:

legal personnel

supervisor

manager.

Wrapping considerations may include:

leak proof bags

storage

handling

sharp jewellery

sharp body parts, such as bones, teeth, dentures and nails

faecal contamination

aerosol exposure from lungs of body

labelling

protocol for injury.

Manual handling techniques may include:

single person lift

multiple person lift

assisted with manual lifting device

assisted with mechanical lifting device.


Sectors

Sector

Funeral Services


Competency Field

Funeral Operations


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.