Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:19 AM AWST
22/07/2026 6:19 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Clean and sterilise mortuary items and equipment
Clean and sterilise mortuary items and equipment
Unit of competency
National Code
SIFMWK003A
SIFMWK003A
State Code
S7080
S7080
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
30/07/2012
Field of Education
110399 - Personal Services, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
30/07/2012
Nominal Hours
25
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to safely prepare for, follow and complete cleaning and sterilisation processes for standard mortuary items and equipment.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Collect and sort reusable mortuary items and equipment.
- 1.1 Identify, prepare and use personal protective equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 1.2 Check, segregate and prepare mortuary items and equipment for appropriate cleaning or sterilisation requirements according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 1.3 Identify and transport reusable mortuary items and equipment to appropriate areas according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 1.4 Identify and report faulty or damaged items and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 1.5 Segregate and dispose of sharps and waste according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
2 Prepare load for sterilisation.
- 2.1 Select appropriate sterilisation method for mortuary items and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 2.2 Identify appropriate packaging requirements according to manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 2.3 Wrap, label and secure instrument trays and items according to manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 2.4 Close and secure containers according to manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 2.5 Load sterilising equipment according to manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
3 Maintain, operate and monitor sterilisers.
- 3.1 Conduct and document sterilising equipment test cycles according to manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 3.2 Operate and monitor sterilising cycle and document according to manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 3.3 Clean and maintain sterilising equipment according to manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 3.4 Record maintenance program according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 3.5 Identify and report equipment faults according to workplace policies and procedures.
4 Complete sterilisation procedures.
- 4.1 Check monitoring devices and record results on completion of cycle according to manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 4.2 Remove sterilised items immediately on completion of cycle and check to ensure specified sterilisation criteria have been met.
- 4.3 Remove and record damaged items or packaging and take corrective action according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 4.4 Conduct cooling down procedures according to manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
5 Store sterile stock.
- 5.1 Identify storage areas for sterile items and equipment.
- 5.2 Cover and label sterile items and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 5.3 Check and complete relevant documentation.
6 Clean reusable items and equipment.
- 6.1 Select and prepare cleaning equipment according to manufacturer instructions and workplace policies and procedures.
- 6.2 Conduct water quality and temperature checks according to manufacturer instructions and workplace policies and procedures.
- 6.3 Perform equipment test cycles as required according to current Australian standard.
- 6.4 Select instrument cleaning chemicals as required according to current Australian standard.
- 6.5 Clean reusable items and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and manufacturer instructions.
- 6.6 Identify and report faulty or damaged appliances according to workplace policies and procedures, and reprocess items as necessary.
- 6.7 Clean equipment and work area according to workplace policies and procedures.
7 Process cleaned items.
- 7.1 Transfer items to appropriate area according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 7.2 Check items for functionality according to manufacturer specifications and take corrective action according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 7.3 Assemble and pack cleaned reusable items and transfer to appropriate areas according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 7.4 Complete required documentation according to workplace policies and procedures.
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.
disposable gloves
heavy duty gloves
barrier gown or suit
waterproof overshoes
waterproof aprons
splash proof masks
eye goggles
face visor
hair cover.
OHS, including material handling procedures for hazardous or infectious materials
emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures
quality assurance
standards and certification requirements
equipment operation
fault reporting
cleaning schedules and recording requirements
handling hazardous chemicals
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.
OHS
Anatomy Act
Human Tissue Act
Skin Penetration Act
Coroner's Act
federal transportation regulations
Airlines Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
approved code of practice for embalmers
local government regulations
funeral services industry code of practice
Worksafe Australia certification and standards.
personal protective equipment
positioning devices
portiboy
feature setting devices
instruments and instrument tray
dressing table
aspirating instruments and tubing for aspirating or injecting
electric drill or grinder
body grooming equipment
biomedical waste containers for infectious or radioactive human tissue
pedestal lamps
linen
flow meter
first aid kit
capsules for transporting babies
aneurysm needle
bistoury knife
scalpels
scissors
separators
suture needles
needle holder
forceps
injection instruments, including:
gravity and bulb syringe
arterial tube
hand pump
centrifugal pump
parietal needle
stopcock
Y tube
embalming machine
drainage instruments, including:
drain tube
iliac drain tube
grooved director
angular spring forceps
electric or motorised aspirating instruments, including :
autopsy aspirator
hydroaspirator
nasal tube aspirator
trocar
hydrovalve trocar
cavity fluid injectors
trocar buttons and applicator.
steam under pressure
low temperature ethylene oxide gas
low temperature hydrogen peroxide vapour or plasma
chemical
dry heat.
repeating cycle
reporting faults
disposing of items.
time, pressure and temperature record of each sterilisation cycle
sterilising equipment maintenance records
test cycle records
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
cleaning records
fault reports.
washers and disinfectors
ultrasonic washers
cabinet washers
tunnel washers
drying cabinets
compressed air guns
high pressure water equipment
sinks, hot and cold water and brushes.
detergents
enzymatic cleaners
rinse aids
stain remover.
disposable gloves
heavy duty gloves
barrier gown or suit
waterproof overshoes
waterproof aprons
splash proof masks
eye goggles
face visor
hair cover.
OHS, including material handling procedures for hazardous or infectious materials
emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures
quality assurance
standards and certification requirements
equipment operation
fault reporting
cleaning schedules and recording requirements
handling hazardous chemicals
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.
OHS
Anatomy Act
Human Tissue Act
Skin Penetration Act
Coroner's Act
federal transportation regulations
Airlines Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
approved code of practice for embalmers
local government regulations
funeral services industry code of practice
Worksafe Australia certification and standards.
personal protective equipment
positioning devices
portiboy
feature setting devices
instruments and instrument tray
dressing table
aspirating instruments and tubing for aspirating or injecting
electric drill or grinder
body grooming equipment
biomedical waste containers for infectious or radioactive human tissue
pedestal lamps
linen
flow meter
first aid kit
capsules for transporting babies
aneurysm needle
bistoury knife
scalpels
scissors
separators
suture needles
needle holder
forceps
injection instruments, including:
gravity and bulb syringe
arterial tube
hand pump
centrifugal pump
parietal needle
stopcock
Y tube
embalming machine
drainage instruments, including:
drain tube
iliac drain tube
grooved director
angular spring forceps
electric or motorised aspirating instruments, including :
autopsy aspirator
hydroaspirator
nasal tube aspirator
trocar
hydrovalve trocar
cavity fluid injectors
trocar buttons and applicator.
steam under pressure
low temperature ethylene oxide gas
low temperature hydrogen peroxide vapour or plasma
chemical
dry heat.
repeating cycle
reporting faults
disposing of items.
time, pressure and temperature record of each sterilisation cycle
sterilising equipment maintenance records
test cycle records
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
cleaning records
fault reports.
washers and disinfectors
ultrasonic washers
cabinet washers
tunnel washers
drying cabinets
compressed air guns
high pressure water equipment
sinks, hot and cold water and brushes.
detergents
enzymatic cleaners
rinse aids
stain remover.
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, sort, handle and store reusable mortuary items and equipment safely
the loading. unloading testing, operation and maintenance of cleaning and sterilising equipment to ensure integrity of process using appropriate cleaning chemicals safely
use of OHS procedures, including universal precautions and the use and maintenance of personal protective equipment
accurate completion of relevant cleaning and sterilisation documentation
cleaning and sterilising mortuary items and equipment 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 facility where mortuary items and equipment can be sorted and cleaned, and sharps and hazardous waste can be disposed of appropriately
access to a range of mortuary items and equipment requiring cleaning and sterilisation
access to cleaning and sterilising equipment and chemicals.
Method 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 sorting, cleaning and storing reusable mortuary items and equipment
observation of candidate operating sterilising equipment, including wrapping, labelling, loading, unloading and cooling down
observation of candidate testing and maintaining sterilising equipment
review of workplace documents completed by candidate
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of safe operating procedures for handling, cleaning, sterilising and storing reusable mortuary items and equipment
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.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
ability to identify, sort, handle and store reusable mortuary items and equipment safely
the loading. unloading testing, operation and maintenance of cleaning and sterilising equipment to ensure integrity of process using appropriate cleaning chemicals safely
use of OHS procedures, including universal precautions and the use and maintenance of personal protective equipment
accurate completion of relevant cleaning and sterilisation documentation
cleaning and sterilising mortuary items and equipment 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 facility where mortuary items and equipment can be sorted and cleaned, and sharps and hazardous waste can be disposed of appropriately
access to a range of mortuary items and equipment requiring cleaning and sterilisation
access to cleaning and sterilising equipment and chemicals.
Method 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 sorting, cleaning and storing reusable mortuary items and equipment
observation of candidate operating sterilising equipment, including wrapping, labelling, loading, unloading and cooling down
observation of candidate testing and maintaining sterilising equipment
review of workplace documents completed by candidate
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of safe operating procedures for handling, cleaning, sterilising and storing reusable mortuary items and equipment
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.
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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S6994 | WFSMWK205A | Sterilise mortuary items and equipment | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WG604 | SIFEMWK002 | Clean and sterilise mortuary items and equipment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D045 | HLT32007 | Certificate III in Mortuary Theatre Practice | Qualification |
| J060 | HLT32012 | Certificate III in Mortuary Theatre Practice | Qualification |