Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare to perform arterial embalming.
- Identify and prepare mortuary area and appropriate mortuary instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, relevant legislation and infection control practices.
- Prepare and use personal protective equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- Identify type of autopsy performed and evaluate embalming implications.
- Remove invasive and non-invasive medical paraphernalia as required.
- Remove sutures from autopsied cases and open chest using appropriate techniques.
- Remove viscera bag from chest cavity of autopsied cases and clean, disinfect and dry viscera according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- Cleanse and disinfect body and set facial features according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- Perform arterial embalming.
- Locate vessels to be used for arterial injection and drainage using appropriate techniques.
- Mix and prepare arterial embalming chemicals according to pre-embalming case analysis.
- Determine injection pressure and rate of flow according to pre-embalming case analysis.
- Raise identified vessels.
- Perform aspiration of cavities using appropriate techniques.
- Maintain effectiveness of arterial injection and drainage and vary fluid strength as required.
- Apply treatments for areas not reached by arterial fluid using appropriate treatments.
- Return viscera to body cavity of autopsied cases using appropriate techniques.
- Apply appropriate suturing techniques to re-suture autopsied cases as required and close incisions with sealing powder.
- Re-cleanse and disinfect the body according to workplace policies and procedures.
- Identify and manage hazards, complications and problems according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- Complete post-embalming case analysis and clean up.
- Perform case analysis to evaluate success of the procedure and determine implications for further embalming procedures.
- Complete case analysis report according to workplace policies and procedures.
- Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- Dispose of waste materials according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- Store instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures and report faults.
- Clean and disinfect mortuary area according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.