Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement provides details of the scope of the Elements and Performance Criteria to allow for differences within enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. It also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The Range Statement is provided as a guide only and lists are not exhaustive. The following variables may be present for this unit:

Documentation may include:

authorisation - basic mortuary preparation and/or embalming

signed medical certificate

waterproof identification tag fixed securely to body (wrist/ankle band)

list of personal property including clothing, shoes for preparation of the deceased

receipts for jewellery and other valuables

special instructions for body preparation and presentation

schedule for viewing or funeral availability.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

standard operating policies and procedures

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

OHS procedures

emergency, fire and accident procedures

security procedures.

The extent of body preparation required may be:

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.

Social, cultural or religious requirements may include:

funeral/mourning dress standards (Middle Eastern, Asian, European, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders)

gender of body preparation personnel

perceived inappropriate behaviour

time required between death and burial/cremation

orientation of the deceased person

restrictions on methods of body preparation permissible.

Relevant personnel may include:

funeral arranger

funeral assistant

funeral director

other mortuary workers.

Specific instruments, apparatus and materials may include:

case report forms

personal protective equipment

positioning devices

aspirating instruments

sterilisation equipment (autoclave)

sterilisation chemicals and solutions

portiboy

feature setting devices

instruments and instrument tray

dressing table

tubing for aspirating/injecting

electric drill/grinder

disinfectant hand solution, paper towels and soap

body grooming equipment

plastic laundry bags

plastic infectious waste bags

bio-medical waste containers - infectious/radio-active/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 (various types)

separators

suture needles (various types)

needle holder

forceps

injection instruments including:

gravity and bulb syringes

arterial tubes

hand pump

centrifugal pump

stopcock

Y tube

embalming machine

drainage instruments

drain tube

lliac drain tube

grooved director

angular spring forceps

aspirating instruments including:

electric/motorised

autopsy aspirator

hydroaspirator

nasal tube aspirator

trocar

hydrovalve trocar

cavity fluid injectors

trocar buttons and applicator.

Personal protective equipment may include:

disposable gloves

heavy duty gloves

barrier gown/suit

waterproof overshoes

waterproof aprons

splash proof masks

eye goggles

face visor

hair cover

filtered air supply including:

negative air pressure

powered positive air supply.

Mortuary design and OHS requirements include:

adequate lighting source

ventilation system

storage/refrigeration

manoeuvrability

separate dressing room

OHS policy and recommendations

soundproofing

appropriate safety and anatomical signage

impervious wall and floor surfaces

first aid station

table/bench/trolley location

drainage facilities

washing facilities.

OHS procedures are to be in accordance with State/Territory legislation and regulations and may include:

workplace environment and safety

personal protective equipment

manual handling procedures

use of tools and equipment

materials handling procedures including for hazardous or infectious materials.

Applicable legislation and regulations may be Federal, State specific or Local Government specific and may include:

Workplace/Occupational Health and Safety Act

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 Acts

Funeral Services Industry Code of Practice

relevant cemetery acts/bylaws

general cemetery regulations

Cemeteries Act

Crematorium Act

Worksafe Australia Certification and Standards.

Cleaning and preparation may include:

general cleaning of surfaces

disinfection/sterilisation of surfaces

waste disposal.

The following components relate directly to this unit's Performance Criteria and Range Statement and will inform and provide guidance for assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program.
Critical Aspects of Evidence
Evidence of the following knowledge and skills is considered essential to demonstrate competency in this unit:
Accurate interpretation and completion of documentation.
Accurate interpretation of body preparation requirements.
Correct preparation of mortuary and equipment to OHS and infection control requirements.
Correct use of personal protective equipment.
Implementation of and adherence to infection control practices.

Underpinning Knowledge and Skills
The following knowledge, understanding and skills are essential to perform this unit to the required standard:
Knowledge of first aid and relevant OHS procedures and infection control practices.
Knowledge of industry requirements for mortuary design.
Knowledge of and ability to use mortuary instruments, equipment and materials.
Verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including:
listening skills
ability to receive and give directions.
Literacy and numeracy skills, including:
ability to interpret and understand written documentation
ability to accurately complete required documentation
computer literacy.
Knowledge and understanding of and respect for social, religious and cultural differences and traditions.
Knowledge of workplace policies and procedures.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant Federal, State/Territory and Local Government legislation and regulations.
Ability to recognise professional parameters.
Life experience and common sense.
Planning skills, organisational skills, time management skills.
Stress management skills and the ability to manage emotions.
Personal integrity, ethics and accountability.

Context of Assessment
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include an experienced person at the workplace.
Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment through a range of situations which may include interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the work environment.
Assessment should be undertaken in an environment that meets industry codes of practice and relevant industry regulations and legislation.

Interdependent Assessment of Unit
All units which relate to a job function can be considered as co-requisites to assist with an integrated approach to assessment. For this unit, the following co-requisite units particularly apply:
WFSPCS203A Carry out mortuary OHS procedures
WFSPCS201A Carry out infection and contamination control practices
For advice on integrated assessment of units within and across qualifications, refer to the Assessment Guidelines.

Assessment Methods

Observation of staff member performing a range of workplace tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate the handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include but are not limited to:

identifying and applying body preparation requirements
collecting and completing body preparation documentation
demonstrating empathy, confidentiality and tact in relation to performing the required tasks
dressing in an appropriate manner for preparing mortuary room and equipment.
Written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant procedures with regard to preparing to perform body preparation. Questions will be asked in a manner appropriate to the language and literacy level of the staff member.
Participation in role plays in relation to liaising with relevant personnel.
Completing workplace documentation relevant to workplace requirements.

Assessment Resources
All resources must be provided for the assessment. If workplace based, the resources should relate specifically to policies, procedures and range of tools and equipment. If an off the job or simulated work environment is used then resources should be applicable to the work environment.
Resources may include:
A real or simulated work environment.
Relevant documentation such as:
workplace policies and procedures
authorisations and body preparation documentation
documentation as identified in the Range Statement.
Industry codes of practice and relevant legislation and regulations.
Access to a range of stakeholders with a range of requirements (real or simulated).
Access to a range of tools, equipment and body preparation instruments.
A qualified workplace assessor and/or a technical expert working in partnership with the assessor.

There are a number of processes that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies. Key competencies are generic competencies that focus on the capacity to apply knowledge and skills in an integrated way in work situations, but are not specific to any particular industry. Key competencies foster the development of skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to perform work operations. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 1 = the competence needed to undertake tasks effectively, 2 = the ability to manage tasks, and 3 = the ability to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Communicating ideas and information
By gathering instructions, guidance and opinions on body preparation requirements and communicating ideas and information relevant to documentation and preparation with colleagues. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By gathering procedural, environmental, cultural, religious, social and operational information, selecting and collating this data in a suitable format and undertaking necessary analysis. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By planning activities associated with the preparations for performing body preparation for self and colleagues. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By interacting with colleagues to support and enhance the preparation processes. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By preparing schedules and implementing time management strategies. (1)

Solving problems
By independently resolving all routine issues with documentation, requirements identification and preparation; accessing suitable support within or outside the organisation to resolve non-routine problems. (2)

Using technology
By using technology for internal and external communication purposes. (1)