Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to repair minor body damage caused by an accident in preparation for a viewing of the deceased person by the family. It applies to embalming staff who work autonomously with a high level of responsibility and according to work health and safety, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to restore the body. | 1.1 Prepare and use personal protective equipment. 1.2 Prepare mortuary area and appropriate instruments and equipment. 1.3 Identify restorative requirements through examination of the deceased person. 1.4 Access and analyse photographs of the deceased person, if available, to assist with restorative work. |
2. Complete body restorative work | 2.1 Inspect body for minor cuts and openings and identify appropriate repair techniques and required instruments. 2.2 Cauterise cuts and openings and where appropriate use a suitable needle and suture cord to close incision using sealing powder. 2.3 Repair or conceal minor wounds or abrasions using appropriate repair techniques. 2.4 Conduct evaluation of restorative work and perform remedial action as required. 2.5 Identify hazards, complications and problems and take appropriate corrective action. |
3. Clean equipment and mortuary area. | 3.1 Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment. 3.2 Dispose of waste materials. 3.3 Store instruments and equipment and report faults. 3.4 Clean and disinfect mortuary area. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
identify restorative requirements through examination and repair or conceal minor body damage using correct techniques and following work health and safety/occupational health and safety and infection control practices
prepare mortuary area and select and use the required instruments and equipment
clean, disinfect and sterilise the mortuary area, instruments and equipment at conclusion of the treatment.
Evidence of performance of restoring minor body damage of different cases on two or more occasions is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge of:
mortuary instruments and equipment used for cleansing and disinfecting bodies and their associated uses
requirements for preparing the mortuary area
properties and uses of germicidal sprays and disinfectants
structure and functions of the systems of the body in relation to restoring minor body
areas requiring evaluation for restorative repair, including:
eyes
skin
bruising
intravenous line punctures
tracheotomy or colostomy openings
other openings not closed
incisions not sutured
leakage from sutures
restorative repair techniques, including:
suturing
gluing
concealment using cosmetics
use of wax and creams
application of standard 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 commencement of work
immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions
workplace policies and procedures for performing minor body restoration procedures
correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substances
funeral services industry parameters and protocols for dealing with the deceased, including social, cultural and religious requirements considerations
federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to work health and safety/occupational health and safety, infection control and handling human remains.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a mortuary workplace:
using suitable equipment and resources, including:
deceased bodies requiring minor restoration
mortuary instruments and equipment including personal protective equipment and cleansing and disinfecting products
under industry operating conditions where there is:
integration of tasks with possible interruptions to work typical of the job role
speed and timing requirements that reflect commercial operating conditions
As well as satisfying the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements, assessors must also hold formal qualifications as an embalmer.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed below:
Reading skills to interpret work health and safety and infection control legislation.
Numeracy skills to calculate ratio for disinfecting instruments and equipment.
Sectors
Embalming
Competency Field
Mortuary Work and Embalming