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. Add any 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.


Checking processes may include:
Ensuring consent or coroner's order to autopsy has been received
Identification of deceased
Infectious status of deceased
Potential hazards (e.g. chemical, radiation, etc) which may be encountered during the autopsy
Removal of implants and prostheses
Identification of known or suspected high risk cases
Confirmation of documentation with medical officer
Identification and recording of scars, tattoos and distinctive features


Specialautopsies may include:
Foetus
Neonate
Paediatric
Adult
Skeletal remains
Body parts
Coroner's and hospital cases
As determined by organisation policy and procedure


Equipment may include:
Autopsy table
Trolleys
Surgical instruments
Scales
Specimen containers
Necropsy saw
Knives
Packing materials
Needles
Suture materials
Body bags
Electric scrubbers
Cleaning equipment
Camera
Tape recorder


Personal protective equipment may include:
Face protection
Eye protection
Gown
Apron
Surgical suits
Gloves
Protective footwear
Respirators


Medical Officer may refer to:
Pathologist
Government medical officer
Other medical practitioner


Suspected/known high risk autopsy may involve potential exposure to:
Tuberculosis (TB)
CJD
HIV
Hepatitis C
Anthrax
Eboli
Small Pox
Chemical hazards (e.g. cyanide, phosphine)
Radioactive hazards


Measurements may include:
Length
Weight
Volume


Special pathological specimens and samples may include:
Cervical spine
Spinal cord
Brain with spinal cord
Spinal column
Bone marrow
Femur
Inner ear
Eye removal
Nerves
Specimens and samples for evidence
Or as defined by organisation policy and procedures


Relevant legislation may include:
Relevant State and Territory Legislation concerning organ retention


Organisation policy and procedure may relate to:
Checking processes
Identification
Documentation and record keeping
Organ retention
Boundaries of the of the work role and scope of practice of the Mortuary Technician
Specimen collection and preparation
Medical Imaging
Photography
Photographic documentation
Reconstruction and restoration of bodies
Evisceration procedures
Cleaning of autopsy room and equipment
Sterilisation of equipment
Waste management


Reconstruction and restoration of bodies may include:
Reconstruction
Cleaning cavities
Packing of absorbent material
Blocking orifices
Replacement of organs
Suturing incisions
Insertion of prostheses
Washing and drying body
Bagging of body to appropriate standard and labelling


Photographic equipment may include:
Photography equipment
Digital imaging equipment


Documentation may include:
Register of images
Request for medical imaging
Authorisation to use medical images


Infection Control policy and procedures may include:
Personal hygiene
Cleaning procedures
Cleaning of surfaces and equipment
Use of cleaning chemicals
Use of personal protective equipment
Standard and additional precautions
Disposal of clinical and other wastes


Waste may include:
Human tissue
Clinical wastes
General waste
Toxic waste


Occupational health and safety policy may include:
Manual handling
Use of equipment
Storage of equipment
Use of personal protective equipment

EVIDENCE GUIDE

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace under the normal range of workplace conditions
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible


Method of assessment
Observation of work activities
Written tasks
Relevant formal and informal education/training courses
Interviews/questioning
Feedback from medical officer


Resource implications:
Access to an autopsy room where assessment can take place
Autopsy equipment
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Relevant legislative requirements


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities