SIFXIND001
Plan a career in the funeral services industry


Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to access and use funeral services industry information and protocols and to determine future work and learning opportunities. It applies to individuals undertaking preliminary training in the funeral services industry under direct supervision. Work is performed according to work health and safety 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. Use funeral services industry information.

1.1 Access sources of information on the funeral services industry, its sectors and occupations.

1.2 Review current and emerging issues that impact on employment in the Australian funeral services industry.

1.3 Review legislation and industry requirements relevant to employment in the funeral services industry.

1.4 Apply information to routine work activities.

2. Follow industry protocols around loss, grief and trauma.

2.1 Recognise effects of loss, grief and trauma on individuals, families and communities.

2.2 Respect different responses of individuals, families and communities to loss, grief and trauma.

2.3 Recognise own personal values and attitudes around loss, grief and trauma.

2.4 Show sensitivity to those experiencing loss, grief and trauma.

3. Identify career opportunities.

3.1 Identify possible career pathways in the funeral services industry or workplace and discuss with supervisor.

3.2 Take into account personal values and attitudes regarding work and business in planning future work and career directions.

3.3 Assess current skills and knowledge required to work in the funeral services industry.

3.4 Identify opportunities for vocational development in consultation with supervisor.

Evidence of Performance

Evidence of the ability to:

source and apply funeral services industry information to work situations

show sensitivity to those experiencing loss, grief or trauma

review career options in consultation with supervisor.

Evidence of performance on at least one occasion is required.


Evidence of Knowledge

Demonstrated knowledge of:

types of resources that may be referred to develop industry knowledge, including:

media

reference books

training materials

libraries

unions

industry associations

industry publications

internet

personal observation and experience

colleagues, supervisors and managers

industry contacts, mentors and advisers

stakeholders and structure of the funeral services industry

legislation, regulations and codes of practice, including:

work health and safety/occupational health and safety

Workplace Relations Act

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

Anti-discrimination

workers’ compensation legislation and regulations

cemetery Acts and by-laws

Crematorium Acts

local government regulations

Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration

code of practice for embalmers

Environmental Protection Act

Privacy Acts

current issues faced by the Australian funeral services industry, including:

regulation

ageing population and death rate

migration and multiculturalism

societal and cultural shifts

technology developments

environmental sustainability

workforce issues

common occupations within sectors of the funeral industry

responsibilities and obligations of employers and employees for the funeral industry

appropriate personal dress and presentation based on workplace requirements, type of work and degree of client contact

effects of loss, grief and trauma including recognising culturally appropriate expressions of loss and grief and providing basic comforting responses to individuals and families

funeral services protocols when dealing with the bereaved, including demonstrating tact, maintaining confidentiality of client and business information, respecting others’ views, acting responsibly

personal values and attitudes in relation to:

monitoring own stress levels in relation to working in the area of loss, grief and trauma

possible career directions in the funeral services industry

steps for developing additional skills required for future career options.


Assessment Conditions

Skills must be demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that is as industry realistic as possible. In a simulated environment, it is essential that assessment is conducted:

using suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

computer, internet and media

information sources including reference books, training materials, industry publications

documentation, including legislative and, regulatory and industry code of conduct and workplace policies and procedures

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.


Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.


Sectors

Cross-Sector


Competency Field

Working in Industry