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:

Documentation may include:
Death Certificate or Certificate of Life Extinct
notification of life extinct
Coroner's Warrant
medical report
transfer instructions
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
mortuary occupancy register
embalming form.

Errors in documentation might include:

no signature

questions not answered or incorrect answers

incorrect name

no viewing by doctor

not refereed by appropriate medical person

not signed by two doctors for a cremation.

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.

Personal protective equipment may include:

disposable gloves

heavy duty gloves

protective overgarments

overshoes

waterproof aprons

masks and goggles.

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.

Infection control practices may include:
checking for infectious/transmittable disease
using personal protective equipment
sterilising apparatus/instruments
providing sterile storage areas for instruments
use of disinfectants
safe removal and disposal of soiled/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
labeling clothing.

Mortuary equipment 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.

Other relevant agencies may include:

Coroner's Office

other funeral homes

hospitals.

Key personnel may include:

transfer workers

embalmer

embalmer's assistant

mortuary technician

other mortuary staff

other relevant agency staff

infectious waste collection service staff.

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

Workplace/Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985

Anatomy Act 1964

Coroner's Act 1957

Federal Transportation Regulations/Airlines Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages Act

Approved Code of Practice for Embalmers

Dangerous Goods Act

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.

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. This includes demonstration of the Key Competencies at the performance level identified at the end of this unit:
Accurate completion, checking and verification of documentation.
Accurate maintenance of the mortuary occupancy register and registering of transfer movements.
Effective implementation of mortuary security procedures to maintain the sanctity and privacy of the mortuary.
Accurate maintenance of mortuary equipment inventory listing.
Correct maintenance and servicing of mortuary equipment to minimise unavailability.
Implementation and maintenance of mortuary cleaning procedures and practices.
Implementation of and consistent 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 manual handling techniques, first aid, OHS and infection control practices.

Verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including:

listening skills
ability to give directions
negotiation and assertiveness skills.
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.
Ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities.
Ability to work in a team and coordinate others.
Knowledge of workplace policies and procedures.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant Federal, State/Territory and Local Government legislation and regulations.
Intuitiveness and creative initiative and the ability to improvise and problem solve in varying situations with limited resources.
Ability to recognise professional parameters.
Life experience and common sense.
Organisational skills, time management skills, punctuality.
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:
WFSPCS201 Carry out infection and contamination control practices
WFSPCS203 Carry out mortuary OHS procedures
WFSABO101A Process Funeral Services Industry documentation
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 procedures for receiving deceased persons at a mortuary
maintaining the mortuary environment and equipment
applying security procedures
adhering to infection control and OHS procedures
demonstrating empathy, confidentiality and tact in relation to performing the required tasks
Written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant procedures with regard to maintaining a mortuary and releasing deceased persons to other relevant agencies. 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
the mortuary occupancy register
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 and equipment.
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 communicating ideas and information with colleagues which is relevant to receiving and releasing the deceased person and maintenance of a mortuary. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By gathering legal and hygiene information relevant to mortuary operations, selecting and collating this data in a suitable format and evaluating it. By gathering environment and equipment maintenance data, collating and evaluating operations. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By planning activities associated with receiving and releasing the deceased person and the maintenance of a mortuary for self and colleagues. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By involving colleagues in receiving and releasing the deceased person, and the maintenance of a mortuary. By encouraging participation and contribution to organisation standards. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques are likely to be involved in monitoring mortuary equipment. (1)

Solving problems
By independently resolving all routine issues with receiving and releasing the deceased person and the maintenance associated with mortuary operations; accessing suitable support within or outside the organisation to resolve non-routine problems. (2)

Using technology
By using mortuary technology and equipment or by using technology to access or record data or information in relation to maintaining mortuary records. (1)