Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to pierce ear lobes.
It requires the ability to consult with clients, select and use piercing tools and studs to pierce one or both ear lobes.
This unit applies to beauticians and retail beauty consultants who work in beauty salons and retail cosmetic outlets. In this environment they make routine service decisions within standard routines and procedures and are responsible for providing the service within skin penetration guidelines.
No occcupational licensing, certification or specific legislative 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. Establish client priorities. | 1.1 Access and review client treatment plan if available. 1.2 Establish ear piercing requirements with client. 1.3 Obtain informed and signed parent or guardian consent if required. 1.4 Identify and explain contraindications to ear piercing service, and refer client to appropriate professional as required. 1.5 Explain treatment sequence and factors that may restrict treatment. 1.6 Confirm revised treatment plan, record updates and obtain signed client consent. |
2. Prepare for piercing. | 2.1 Prepare service area, client and self. 2.2 Select ear piercing equipment and products. 2.3 Use energy, water and other resources efficiently during preparation and subsequent treatment process. |
3. Apply piercing. | 3.1 Apply infection control and skin penetration procedures throughout service. 3.2 Cleanse and disinfect treatment site and mark ears for piercing. 3.3 Confirm earring placement with client. 3.4 Load stud gun and pierce ear lobes. |
4. Review service and provide post service advice. | 4.1 Evaluate pierced ears service with client. 4.2 Record outcomes of pierced ears service on client treatment plan. 4.3 Provide aftercare advice and recommend products and future treatments. |
5. Clean service area. | 5.1 Clean service area, equipment and work surfaces according to organisational policies and procedures. 5.2 Restock equipment and products in preparation for next service. 5.3 Dispose of general waste to minimise negative environmental impacts and according to organisational policies and procedures. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
communicate, follow and adjust treatment plans to provide three safe and appropriate ear lobe piercing services for clients
maintain client records for each client specifying details of:
aftercare advice
adverse reactions
client name and address
contraindications
follow up advice
outcomes of treatment
procedure followed
studs used
type of ear piercing
provide ear lobe piercing services that demonstrate:
consultation with client to agree on selection and placement of earrings
compliance with infection control and skin penetration procedures
minimum discomfort for client
placement of studs according to client requirements
accurate advice on care of wound, studs and maintenance of earrings
cleaning of ear piercing equipment according to skin penetration guidelines
present self, according to organisational policy
comply with health, hygiene and skin penetration regulations and requirements.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
state or territory and local health and hygiene and skin penetration regulations and requirements relevant to piercing ear lobes
legal responsibilities in relation to infection control, sterilising, registration or licensing of business and maintenance of premises
infectious disease transmission routes and prevention of infection transmission as it relates to ear piercing services
infection control procedures and application of standard precautions as they apply to the provision of ear piercing services
organisational policies and procedures relevant to piercing ear lobes:
client record management
equipment use and maintenance
incident reporting
personal hygiene and presentation
presentation of treatment area
waste disposal
work health and safety
legal and insurance liabilities and responsibilities in regard to treatments
scope of practice:
when to refer clients to other practitioners
importance of not stating a diagnosis of a contraindication
cleaning and maintenance of piercing gun and equipment
simplified cross section of the skin
anatomy of the ear lobe
workplace equipment and product range
contraindications that prevent or restrict treatment or require referral to a medical professional and relationship to ear piercing services:
bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections
clients under influence of alcohol or drugs
hypertrophic and keloid scarring tendency
non-normal skin
scar tissue and lesions
skin trauma
adverse effects of ear piercing and required action:
inflammation
infection of the ear lobe
care and maintenance procedures for recently pierced ears
care and maintenance procedures for earrings
process, forms and requirements for informed parental consent for minors
sustainable operating procedures for the conservation of product, water and power
aftercare advice and products to care for pierced ear lobes.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a beauty industry environment; this can be:
a beauty industry workplace or
a simulated beauty workplace set up for the purpose of skills assessment, that provides services to paying members of the public.
Assessment must ensure access to:
paying clients, both new and regular, with ear lobe piercing requirements, who have the expectation that the services provided reflect those of a commercial business
hand washing facilities:
basin
hot and cold running water
liquid soap
single use towels or hand dryer.
Assessment must ensure use of:
adjustable client chair
antiseptic and home-care products for care of wound
cleaning and disinfection products and equipment
ear piercing gun
personal protective equipment:
disposable gloves
sterile, single use disinfecting skin swabs
studs
surgical marking pen.
Assessment activities that allow the individual to:
provide ear piercing service within commercially realistic speed, timing and productivity
demonstrate competency in an environment reflective of real work situations
manage tasks and contingencies in the context of the job role.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors and:
have worked in the beauty industry for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
Skill | Description |
Reading skills to: | interpret, and follow manufacturer instructions and safety data sheets for safe use of cleaning and treatment products and equipment. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate treatment times, product quantities and price. |
Technology skills to: | use client software to update client notes, record stock data and product purchases. |
Sectors
Beauty
Competency Field
Skin Services