Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:32 AM AWST
22/07/2026 6:32 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.
Treat the arterial system
Treat the arterial system
Unit of competency
National Code
SIFMWK014A
SIFMWK014A
State Code
S7091
S7091
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/12/2013
Field of Education
110399 - Personal Services, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
06/12/2013
Nominal Hours
150
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify appropriate arterial embalming procedures and perform arterial embalming on both autopsied and non-autopsied cases using appropriate techniques.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare to perform arterial embalming.
- 1.1 Identify and prepare mortuary area and appropriate mortuary instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, relevant legislation and infection control practices.
- 1.2 Prepare and use personal protective equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 1.3 Identify type of autopsy performed and evaluate embalming implications.
- 1.4 Remove invasive and non-invasive medical paraphernalia as required.
- 1.5 Remove sutures from autopsied cases and open chest using appropriate techniques.
- 1.6 Remove viscera bag from chest cavity of autopsied cases and clean, disinfect and dry viscera according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 1.7 Cleanse and disinfect body and set facial features according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
2 Perform arterial embalming.
- 2.1 Locate vessels to be used for arterial injection and drainage using appropriate techniques.
- 2.2 Mix and prepare arterial embalming chemicals according to pre-embalming case analysis.
- 2.3 Determine injection pressure and rate of flow according to pre-embalming case analysis.
- 2.4 Raise identified vessels.
- 2.5 Perform aspiration of cavities using appropriate techniques.
- 2.6 Maintain effectiveness of arterial injection and drainage and vary fluid strength as required.
- 2.7 Apply treatments for areas not reached by arterial fluid using appropriate treatments.
- 2.8 Return viscera to body cavity of autopsied cases using appropriate techniques.
- 2.9 Apply appropriate suturing techniques to re-suture autopsied cases as required and close incisions with sealing powder.
- 2.10 Re-cleanse and disinfect the body according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 2.11 Identify and manage hazards, complications and problems according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
3 Complete post-embalming case analysis and clean up.
- 3.1 Perform case analysis to evaluate success of the procedure and determine implications for further embalming procedures.
- 3.2 Complete case analysis report according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 3.3 Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 3.4 Dispose of waste materials according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 3.5 Store instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures and report faults.
- 3.6 Clean and disinfect mortuary area according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
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. 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.
Mortuary instruments and equipment may include:
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
parietal needle
hand pump
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.
Workplace policies and procedures may include:
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.
Relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice may include:
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.
Infection control practices may include:
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.
Personal protective equipment may include:
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.
Type of autopsy may include:
medical
hospital
coroner or medical examiner.
Embalming implications may include:
order for preparation
fluid strength
use of dyes
pressure and rates of flow
drainage
techniques for dealing with:
cranial autopsies
thoracic autopsies
infant or child autopsies
abdominal autopsies
preparation of autopsied bodies
supplemental hypodermic injections
treatment of viscera
closure of cavities
protocol for restorative treatments on autopsied bodies
familiarisation with 'Y' autopsy incision.
Invasive and non-invasive medical paraphernalia may include:
pacemakers
electronic, nuclear and radioactive devices
colostomy closures
surgical drains.
Treatments for areas not reached by arterial fluid may include:
hypodermic injection
internal packs
preservative gels
external gels.
Appropriate suturing techniques may include:
individual
baseball stitch
single intradermal
double intradermal
inversion
interlocking
continuous
'N'
purse string.
Case analysis report may include:
problems and complications
corrective action taken.
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.
Mortuary instruments and equipment may include:
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
parietal needle
hand pump
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.
Workplace policies and procedures may include:
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.
Relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice may include:
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.
Infection control practices may include:
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.
Personal protective equipment may include:
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.
Type of autopsy may include:
medical
hospital
coroner or medical examiner.
Embalming implications may include:
order for preparation
fluid strength
use of dyes
pressure and rates of flow
drainage
techniques for dealing with:
cranial autopsies
thoracic autopsies
infant or child autopsies
abdominal autopsies
preparation of autopsied bodies
supplemental hypodermic injections
treatment of viscera
closure of cavities
protocol for restorative treatments on autopsied bodies
familiarisation with 'Y' autopsy incision.
Invasive and non-invasive medical paraphernalia may include:
pacemakers
electronic, nuclear and radioactive devices
colostomy closures
surgical drains.
Treatments for areas not reached by arterial fluid may include:
hypodermic injection
internal packs
preservative gels
external gels.
Appropriate suturing techniques may include:
individual
baseball stitch
single intradermal
double intradermal
inversion
interlocking
continuous
'N'
purse string.
Case analysis report may include:
problems and complications
corrective action taken.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 arterial 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 the arterial system 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 arterial embalming, including autopsied cases
access to personal protective equipment.
Methods 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 minimum of thirty case studies, including ten autopsied cases
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
SIFMWK015A Treat abdominal and thoracic cavities.
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.
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 arterial 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 the arterial system 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 arterial embalming, including autopsied cases
access to personal protective equipment.
Methods 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 minimum of thirty case studies, including ten autopsied cases
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
SIFMWK015A Treat abdominal and thoracic cavities.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S7005 | WFSMWK403A | Perform arterial embalming | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WG918 | SIFEMWK015 | Perform arterial embalming of autopsied cases | Unit of competency |
| WG917 | SIFEMWK014 | Perform arterial embalming of natural cases | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D341 | SIF40208 | Certificate IV in Embalming | Qualification |