Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

authorisation for basic mortuary preparation and embalming
signed medical certificate
waterproof identification tag fixed securely to body
list of personal property, including clothing and shoes for dressing the deceased
receipts for jewellery and other valuables
special instructions for body preparation and presentation
schedule for viewing or funeral booking.

standard operating policies and procedures
standards and certification requirements
quality assurance procedures
OHS procedures, including:
infection control
manual handling
material handling procedures, including hazardous or infectious materials
emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures
security procedures.

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
cemetery Acts and by-laws
Crematorium Acts
Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

basic cleansing and disinfecting
basic preparation for viewing by family
temporary restoration and preservation of autopsied bodies
temporary restoration and preservation of non-autopsied bodies
permanent restoration and preservation of autopsied bodies for repatriation
permanent restoration and preservation of non-autopsied bodies for repatriation.

funeral and mourning dress standards
gender of body preparation personnel
time required between death and burial or cremation
orientation of the deceased person
restrictions on methods of body preparation permissible.

funeral arranger
funeral assistant
funeral director
other mortuary worker.

personal protective equipment
positioning devices
sterilisation equipment
sterilisation chemicals and solutions
portiboy
feature setting devices
instruments and instrument tray
dressing table
aspirating instruments and tubing for aspirating or injecting
electric drill or grinder
disinfectant hand solution, paper towels and soap
body grooming equipment
plastic laundry bags
plastic infectious waste bags
biomedical waste containers for infectious and radioactive human tissue
pedestal lamps
linen
flow meter
first aid kit
packs of padding
cotton packer
plastic sheeting for wrapping bodies
waterproof tape
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
parietal needle
centrifugal pump
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.

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.

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 complete documentation requirements prior to undertaking body preparation, identify general body preparation requirements for each case and prepare the mortuary and required instruments accordingly
the selection , of correct instruments, apparatus and materials
knowledge of infection control practices
determining body preparation requirements on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to and evaluate 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 body preparation tools, apparatus and materials
access to relevant documentation
access to personal protective equipment.

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 monitoring and maintaining mortuary facilities, tools, apparatus and materials
review of workplace documents completed by candidate
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:

SIFMWK006A Cleanse and disinfect deceased bodies.
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.