This unit applies to embalming staff and involves working autonomously with a high level of responsibility.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Prepare to perform head treatment.

1.1

Identify and prepare mortuary area and appropriate instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, relevant legislation and infection control practices.

1.2

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

1.3

Identify and respect social, cultural and religious requirements.

1.4

Identify extent of head treatment required through examination of the deceased person.

2

Perform head treatment.

2.1

Remove suturing from scalp.

2.2

Remove calvarium and packing material.

2.3

Clean cranium vault and scalp areas using a cauterising agent.

2.4

Refix cranium using skull clamps or glue and suture technique as appropriate.

2.5

Cover gaps using sealing compounds as required.

2.6

Suture cranium and seal closed.

2.7

Wash and dry cranium hair using germicidal soaps and shampoos as required.

2.8

Identify hazards, complications and problems and take appropriate corrective action.

3

Clean up instruments, equipment and mortuary area.

3.1

Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

3.2

Dispose of waste materials according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

3.3

Store instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures and report faults.

3.4

Clean and disinfect mortuary area according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

Required skills

planning and organisational skills to identify and prepare required instruments and equipment

technology skills to identify and apply appropriate equipment use

self-management skills to monitor own response to dealing with deceased bodies and take corrective action

problem-solving skills to identify and address hazards and complications.

Required knowledge

infection control practices and procedures

workplace policies and procedures for performing head treatments

sterilisation procedures for instruments and equipment

properties and uses of germicidal sprays and disinfectants

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 identify restorative requirements through examination and to repair or conceal head damage using correct techniques and following OHS and infection control practices

ability to prepare mortuary area and select and use the required instruments and equipment

the cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising of the mortuary area, instruments and equipment at conclusion of the treatment

knowledge of infection control practices

restoring head damage on autopsied cases 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 in a mortuary facility where deceased bodies may be safely prepared and appropriate mortuary lighting, plumbing and ventilation requirements can be monitored and maintained

access to deceased bodies on which autopsies have been performed

access to cleansing and disinfecting products

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 preparing mortuary area, instruments and equipment and applying head treatment procedures

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of infection control practices and properties of disinfectant products

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:

SIFMWK008A Restore minor body damage.

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.

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.

Instruments and equipment may include:

personal protective equipment

aspirating instruments

sterilisation equipment

sterilisation chemicals and solutions

instruments and instrument tray

dressing table

tubing for aspirating or injecting

disinfectant hand solution, paper towels and soap

plastic laundry bags

plastic infectious waste bags

biomedical waste containers for infectious and radioactive human tissue

pedestal lamps

linen

first aid kit

cotton wool

plastic sheeting for wrapping bodies

waterproof tape

capsules for transporting babies

scalpels

scissors

suture needles

needle holder

forceps

electric or motorised aspirating instruments, including:

autopsy aspirator

hydroaspirator

trocar

hydrovalve trocar

cavity fluid injectors

trocar buttons and applicator.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

standard operating policies and procedures

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

OHS procedures, including:

infection control procedures

manual handling procedures

material handling procedures, including hazardous or infectious materials

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures

security procedures.

Relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice may include:

OHS

Anatomy Act

Human Tissue Act

Skin Penetration Act

Coroner's Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

local government regulations

funeral services industry code of practice

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Infection control practices may include:

checking for infectious and transmittable disease

using personal protective equipment

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.

Personal protective equipment may include:

disposable gloves

heavy duty gloves

barrier gown or suit

waterproof overshoes

waterproof aprons

splash proof masks

eye goggles

face visor

hair cover

filtered air supply:

negative air pressure

powered positive air supply.

Social, cultural and religious requirements may include:

dress standards

gender of embalming personnel

time required between death and burial or cremation

orientation of the deceased person

restrictions on methods of embalming permissible.

Hazards, complications and problems may include:

sharps injuries

needle stick injuries

blood splash

infection

contagious disease, such as:

viral haemorrhagic fevers

Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease

tuberculosis

HIV

chemical spill

putrefaction and tissue gas

wet area.

Corrective action may include:

application of universal 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 commencing work

immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions

use of protective clothing when cleaning spillage of body fluids

referring to manager or supervisor.

Sector

Funeral Services

Mortuary Work and Embalming

This unit contains employability skills.