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:

applying relevant federal, state or territory Acts and local regulations relating to skin penetration along with the application of standard infection control precautions

recognising and managing contraindications and adverse effects

safely applying body piercing techniques and jewellery

using effective questioning and active listening techniques to consult, reassure and negotiate with clients, while maintaining discretion and confidentiality

selecting, preparing, using and disposing of or cleaning body piercing products and equipment according to legislative requirements, manufacturer instructions and workplace policies and procedures

evaluating a body piercing service and advising the client on home care and complementary products.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

that competency is consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines

that competency is demonstrated in a simulated workplace environment in a range of real work situations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace.

Assessment must ensure access to:

a fully equipped upper body piercing treatment area, which includes as a minimum:

individual client workstations

adjustable treatment couch with equipment and operator safe working access at head, foot and each side

access to sterilised equipment

a plentiful supply of sterile cleansing swabs

antibacterial skin cleansing solution

needles

needle acceptor tubes

callipers

forceps

ball holding tweezers

ring opening and closing pliers

iris scissors

a range of body jewellery in sterile packaging

personal protective equipment, including disposable gloves

appropriate cleaning and disinfection products and equipment

relevant workplace documentation including:

manufacturer's equipment instructions

product instructions

manufacturer safety data sheets

workplace policies and procedures manuals

a range of clients with different upper body piercing requirements.

For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

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 learners performing a range of tasks in a simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:

preparing the service area and client for body piercing

selecting an appropriate style and gauge of jewellery

performing piercings on the upper body

attaching jewellery

implementing relevant infection control and skin penetration procedures and legislation

written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of body piercing procedures, including the application of infection control

completion of workplace documentation relevant to providing body piercing.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SIBBCCS404A Work in a skin therapies framework.

Required skills

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

technical skills to:

respond to contraindications and adverse effects

interpret treatment plans, and identify and adjust to changes in clients' condition

respond to state or territory Acts or local regulations relating to skin penetration and infection control, through the implementation of workplace procedures

select appropriate types, metals, sizes and gauges of body jewellery

operate sterilising equipment and complete record keeping requirements

apply body piercing products and equipment while ensuring the safety of the client and the practitioner

communication skills to:

advise clients and respond to questions

provide information and reassurance to clients throughout body piercing services

literacy skills to:

read and interpret relevant workplace documents

record relevant information accurately and legibly.

Required knowledge

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

relevant federal, state and territory Acts and local regulations relating to skin penetration including, relevant occupational health and safety regulations and requirements

infection control procedures and universal precautions

workplace policies and procedures in regard to body piercing services

anatomy and physiology of the skin and skin structures as they relate to body piercing, including:

simplified cross-section of skin

glands as they relate to basic skin function

skin chemicals, including sebum and sweat production:

normal and abnormal

collagen

elastin

lipids

microscopic anatomy of the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis

normal process of skin ageing and structural change

normal skin response to irritation and trauma

scars, including hypertrophic and keloid (their origin and evolution) and abnormal scar tissue

wound healing in different skin types and locations

effects of treatments on the physical structure of the skin

body piercing procedures, including:

preparing service area

preparing products and equipment

preparing client and operator

marking piercing sites

applying body jewellery

cleaning and disposing of product and equipment

maintaining equipment and product records

maintaining client records

implementing post-treatment procedures

implementing procedures for consent forms

providing home-care advice to client

appearance of contraindications and adverse effects

workplace equipment product range and manufacturer instructions and data sheets.

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.

Treatment plan must include:

piercing site or sites

body jewellery

equipment

contraindications:

bacterial, viral or fungal infections

rashes

sunburn

scar tissue and lesions

other visible non-normal skin

hypertrophic and keloid scarring tendency

areas of the body requiring special treatment:

soft tissue

cartilage

blood supply areas

nerves.

Variations to treatment plan may include:

changes in client's physical condition

changes in client requirements.

Clients may include:

new or regular clients with routine or special needs

male or female clients

people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and age groups with varying physical and mental abilities.

Relevant legislation may include:

state and local health and hygiene regulations

federal, state or territory skin penetration Acts and local regulations

occupational health and safety.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

infection controls

environmental protection practices, such as:

safe disposal of sharps and other treatment waste

waste minimisation

energy efficiency, e.g. electricity saving devices and practices

resource management

water efficiency

care and maintenance of equipment

designated time frame for service.

Products may include:

antiseptic

cleanser

swabs

gloves

autoclave bags.

Equipment must include:

needles

needle acceptor tubes

autoclave

calipers

forceps

ball holding tweezers

ring opening and closing pliers

iris scissors.

Maintenance must include:

disinfection

care of body jewellery

general hygiene.

Adverse effects may include:

bleeding

fainting

infection

hypertrophic and keloid scarring.

Piercing site may include:

ala of nose

ear cartilage:

tragus

antitragus

helix

antihelix

daith

navel.

Body jewellerystyle may include:

ball captured rings

barbells

bananabells

nose studs

navel bananabells

circular barbells.

Infection control procedures must include:

pre- and post-treatment cleansing of service area

single-use equipment

cleaning of reusable equipment

personal protective equipment.

Skin penetration procedures must include:

prevention of blood to blood contact

protection of wound sites

sterilisation.

Preparation of body jewellery must include:

sterilisation packaging

record keeping.

Client feedback may include:

comments

suggestions

enquiries.

Relevant outcomes of treatment may include:

client reaction

adverse effects.

Home-care advice must include:

cleansing procedures for piercing site

cleaning and rotating procedures for body jewellery

general hygiene

wearing loose clothing during healing

avoiding spas.

Product recommendations may include:

saline solution

antiseptics.