Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to remove the wrapping and clothing from the deceased person, cleanse and disinfect the body and relieve rigor mortis.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to funeral home staff who may or may not be embalmers. This unit is considered to be the basic body preparation requirement for all deceased persons and involves working autonomously with a reasonable level of responsibility.

Prerequisite units 

Nil

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge and/or the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Conduct preparatory procedures for cleansing and disinfecting deceased bodies.

1.1

Identify and prepare mortuary area and appropriate instruments and equipment  according to workplace policies and procedures , and relevant legislation .

1.2

Prepare and use personal protective equipment  according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

1.3

Identify and respect any social , cultural and religious requirements .

2

Remove wrapping on deceased persons.

2.1

Disinfect body wrappings using appropriate droplet disinfectant according to infection control practices .

2.2

Open outer body wrappings and ensure containment of body fluids.

2.3

Disinfect inner wrappings or clothing using a droplet disinfectant as required and according to infection control practices.

2.4

Remove inner wrapping and ensure containment of body fluids.

2.5

Place a durable modesty cover on genital area if required.

2.6

Cover mouth and nose with cloth soaked in an appropriate disinfectant.

2.7

Place wrappings in an appropriate biowaste container and ensure containment of body fluids.

2.8

Package clothing separately according to given instructions.

3

Cleanse oral and nasal cavities.

3.1

Aspirate oral and nasal cavities if purge is present.

3.2

Remove cloth covering mouth and nose, and dispose of using appropriate biowaste container.

3.3

Relieve rigor mortis from lower jaw as required.

3.4

Open mouth to enable access and place disinfectant cloth deep inside using long forceps.

4

Cleanse and inspect body.

4.1

Spray all areas of body with appropriate disinfectant and allow to remain on body surface for five minutes.

4.2

Conduct external head and face inspection .

4.3

Wash, rinse and dry all body surfaces using appropriate washing materials according to workplace policies and procedures.

4.4

Access rectal and vaginal orifices and place disinfectant cloth deep inside using large forceps.

4.5

Shampoo and dry cranium hair using germicidal soaps and shampoos according to workplace policies and procedures.

4.6

Perform face shaves and trim beards and moustaches according to workplace policies and procedures.

4.7

Conduct final inspection of body and note anything unusual for further attention.

4.8

Note and document all jewellery according to workplace policies and procedures and remove if required.

5

Relieve rigor mortis in body.

5.1

Manipulate, move and rotate arms, hands, fingers, legs, ankles and toes carefully to relieve rigor mortis.

5.2

Identify and avoid weakened tissue areas which may become damaged through relieving.

6

Clean up tools, equipment and mortuary areas.

6.1

Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

6.2

Dispose of waste materials according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

6.3

Store instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures and report faults.

6.4

Clean and disinfect mortuary area according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

6.5

Remove personal protective equipment and process according to workplace policies and procedures and infection control practices.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• planning and organisational skills to identify and prepare required instruments and equipment
• technology skills to identify and apply appropriate equipment
• self-management and problem-solving skills to monitor own response to dealing with deceased bodies and take corrective action.

Required knowledge 

• infection control practices and procedures
• workplace policies and procedures for cleansing and disinfecting deceased bodies
• sterilisation procedures for mortuary instruments and equipment
• properties and uses of germicidal sprays and disinfectants
• range of social, cultural and religious requirements
• funeral services industry parameters and protocols for dealing with the deceased
• broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS, infection control and handling human remains.

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 remove the wrapping and clothing from the deceased person, cleanse and disinfect the body and relieve rigor mortis
• 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
• knowledge of infection control practices
• cleansing and disinfecting deceased bodies 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 deceased bodies
• access to cleansing and disinfecting products
• access to mortuary instruments and equipment
• 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 preparing mortuary area, instruments and equipment and applying body cleansing and disinfecting procedures
• written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of infection control practices and properties of disinfectant products
• 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:

• SIFMWK003A Clean and sterilise mortuary items and equipment.

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.

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.

Instruments and equipment  must include:

• personal protective equipment
• positioning devices
• sterilisation equipment
• sterilisation chemicals and solutions
• dressing table
• disinfectant hand solution, paper towels and soap
• body grooming equipment
• pedestal lamps
• linen
• first aid kit
• packs of padding
• cotton packer
• plastic sheeting for wrapping bodies
• waterproof tape
• capsules for transporting babies
• aneurysm needle
• scissors
• forceps
• nasal tube aspirator.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• standard operating policies and procedures
• standards and certification requirements
• quality assurance procedures
• OHS procedures, including:

• 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.

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.

Social , cultural and religious requirements  may include:

• dress standards
• gender of embalming personnel
• time required between death and burial or cremation
• orientation of the deceased person
• restrictions on methods of embalming permissible.

Infection control practices  may include:

• checking for infectious and transmittable disease
• using personal protective equipment
• 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.

External head and face inspection  must include:

• inspecting head hair for lice and mites
• inspecting eyes, nose and mouth for maggots.

Sector 

Funeral Services

Competency field 

Mortuary Work and Embalming