Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Mortuary instruments and equipment may include:
personal protective equipment
cauterising agents
sterilisation equipment
sterilisation chemicals and solutions
instruments and instrument tray
dressing table
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
waterproof tape
capsules for transporting babies
scalpels
scissors
hypodermic needle
needle holder
forceps.


Workplace policies and procedures may include:
standard operating policies and procedures
standards and certification requirements
communication protocols
quality assurance procedures
OHS procedures, such as:
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:
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
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.


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.


Further action may include:
proceeding with treatment
stopping procedure
referring to colleague or supervisor.


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.


Case analysis report may include:
problems and complications
corrective action taken.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 treatment requirements through a pre-embalming case analysis and to perform tissue gas treatments 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
completion of a case analysis report
knowledge of infection control practices
treating tissue gas 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 embalming equipment, instruments and chemicals
access to deceased bodies requiring tissue gas treatment, including autopsied cases
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 completing a range of tissue gas treatment procedures
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of all OHS and infection control practices and procedures
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:
SIFMWK013A Determine embalming requirements.

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.