Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to perform head treatments on autopsied bodies to clean the cranium vault and scalp areas and refix the cranium to an appropriate standard for viewing.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to embalming staff and involves working autonomously with a high 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

Prepare to perform head treatment.

1.1

Identify and prepare mortuary area and appropriate 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 and respect social , cultural and religious requirements .

1.4

Identify extent of head treatment required through examination of the deceased person.

2

Perform head treatment.

2.1

Remove suturing from scalp.

2.2

Remove calvarium and packing material.

2.3

Clean cranium vault and scalp areas using a cauterising agent.

2.4

Refix cranium using skull clamps or glue and suture technique as appropriate.

2.5

Cover gaps using sealing compounds as required.

2.6

Suture cranium and seal closed.

2.7

Wash and dry cranium hair using germicidal soaps and shampoos as required.

2.8

Identify hazards , complications and problems  and take appropriate corrective action .

3

Clean up instruments, equipment and mortuary area.

3.1

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

3.2

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

3.3

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

3.4

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

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 use
• self-management skills to monitor own response to dealing with deceased bodies and take corrective action
• problem-solving skills to identify and address hazards and complications.

Required knowledge 

• infection control practices and procedures
• workplace policies and procedures for performing head treatments
• sterilisation procedures for instruments and equipment
• properties and uses of germicidal sprays and disinfectants
• 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 identify restorative requirements through examination and to repair or conceal head damage 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
• knowledge of infection control practices
• restoring head damage on autopsied cases 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 on which autopsies have been performed
• 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 head treatment 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:

• SIFMWK008A Restore minor body damage.

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  may include:

• personal protective equipment
• aspirating instruments
• sterilisation equipment
• sterilisation chemicals and solutions
• instruments and instrument tray
• dressing table
• tubing for aspirating or injecting
• disinfectant hand solution, paper towels and soap
• plastic laundry bags
• plastic infectious waste bags
• biomedical waste containers for infectious and radioactive human tissue
• pedestal lamps
• linen
• first aid kit
• cotton wool
• plastic sheeting for wrapping bodies
• waterproof tape
• capsules for transporting babies
• scalpels
• scissors
• suture needles
• needle holder
• forceps
• electric or motorised aspirating instruments, including:

• autopsy aspirator
• hydroaspirator
• 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
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

Hazards , complications and problems  may include:

• 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.

Corrective action  may include:

• application of 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

• referring to manager or supervisor.

Sector 

Funeral Services

Competency field 

Mortuary Work and Embalming