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.

personal protective equipment
positioning devices
sterilisation equipment
sterilisation chemicals and solutions
portiboy
instruments and instrument tray
dressing table
disinfectant hand solution, paper towels and soap
pedestal lamps
first aid kit
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
stopcock
parietal needle
Y tube
embalming machine
drainage instruments, including:
drain tube
iliac drain tube
grooved director
angular spring forceps
aspirating instruments, including:
electric or motorised
autopsy aspirator
hydroaspirator
nasal tube aspirator
trocar
hydrovalve trocar
cavity fluid injectors
trocar buttons and applicator.

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.

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.

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.

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.

standard case
medical intervention
organ donations.

pacemakers
electronic, nuclear and radioactive devices
colostomy closures
surgical drains.

scalpel incision followed by insertion of trocar
correct suturing techniques to close incision.

right atrium of the heart
right lung
left lung
thoracic cavity.

abdominal cavity
viscera
alimentary canal
stomach
liver
small and large intestine
pancreas
spleen
gall bladder
blood vessels
appendix
bladder
kidneys
uterus
rectum.

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.

problems and complications
corrective action taken.

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 abdominal and thoracic cavity 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 abdominal and thoracic cavities 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 abdominal and cavity treatment, including autopsied cases
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 completing a range of abdominal and cavity 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
SIFMWK014A Treat the arterial system.
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.