Element

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1 Identify operational characteristics of lasers and intense pulsed light equipment.

1.1 Describe basic biophysics of laser and IPL technologies.

1.2 Identify types of equipment used in hair reduction and their actions on pigmented hair and on skin.

1.3 Identify risks relevant to each modality.

1.4 Evaluate benefits of laser and IPL hair reduction.

1.5 Identify safety measures required to protect clients undergoing IPL and laser hair reduction.

1.6 Identify safety measures required to protect operators and other salon staff during treatments.

2 Set up equipment to ensure client safety.

2.1 Review and follow relevant federal, state or territory, and local legislation, regulations or standards and workplace procedures for use of laser equipment.

2.2 Set up and take down equipment as per manufacturer instructions, safety data sheets and workplace laser safety procedures.

2.3 Check for biomedical engineering seal of safety.

2.4 Organise regular preventive maintenance and record outcomes according to workplace procedures.

2.5 Operate control panel on equipment according to manufacturer instructions.

2.6 Clean and store laser equipment according to manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures.

3 Provide and document safe client preparation and care procedures.

3.1 Complete clinical procedures checklists and records according to federal, state or territory, and local legislation and regulations and workplace policies and procedures.

3.2 Provide and document pre-treatment instructions to clients and review client understanding.

3.3 Document types and details of treatments performed.

3.4 Document types of equipment used and procedure performed.

4 Provide safe care to clients and staff during treatments.

4.1 Identify potential hazards with every laser procedure.

4.2 Ensure equipment is operating effectively according to manufacturer instructions.

4.3 Monitor window coverings and post warning signs according to federal and local legislation and workplace IPL and laser safety procedures.

4.4 Remove potentially flammable, combustible items.

4.5 Check fire extinguisher to ensure it functions.

4.6 Prepare treatment area considering reflective equipment and risk of fire.

4.7 Provide protective eyewear for client, self and other persons in treatment area.

4.8 Comply with environmental safety measures for laser plume, laser masks, and smoke evacuation according to current standards, guidelines and workplace procedures.

4.9 Ensure safe ventilation for client, self or other persons in treatment area.

Required skills

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

communication skills to:

convey pre-treatment advice to clients

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

introduce clients to light therapy hair reduction treatments

liaise and negotiate with colleagues

literacy skills to:

read relevant standards, regulations, guidelines, workplace safety documents and manufacturer instructions on equipment use and maintenance

ensure work practices comply with required standards

numeracy skills to comprehend the units of measurement related to laser and IPL apparatus

initiative and enterprise skills to implement safety procedures in treatment areas.

Required knowledge

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

physics of light, including:

energy forms

electromagnetic spectrum

optical region of the electromagnetic spectrum

wavelengths

characteristics of a wave

operational characteristics of lasers, including:

generation of laser beam and propagation of light

characteristics of laser beams

properties of different types of lasers

optical pathways

delivery systems and applicators used for hair reduction

how light energy interacts with skin and hair

laser controls, such as:

power settings

pulse settings

time settings

emergency control

delivery systems

ionising and non-ionising radiation

operational characteristics of IPL apparatus, including:

programmable systems

basic set up (manual choice)

powerful systems

significantly lower power systems

common differences in systems imported from China, Europe, US and Israel

chilled sapphire or similar optical substance head

non-chilled sapphire head

non-laser light source

characteristics of flashlamp

capacitors - free discharge or partial discharge

different filters

properties of IPL equipment

parameters that effect the delivery of light, including:

spectrum of delivered wavelengths as determined by cut-off filters

number of delivered pulses, including single and multiple pulsed shots

pulse duration in milliseconds

delay between pulses in milliseconds

delivered fluence

laser hazards

particular hazards of delivery systems, including:

ocular and skin hazards

client-specific hazards

reflected beam hazards

fire, explosion, electrical and environmental hazards

current standards, regulations and guidelines relating to:

laser classification and hazard analysis

audit of laser facilities

examples of safe practice and programs

equipment inspection (quality assurance) protocols

investigation and management of laser accidents or incidents

eye protection and protective eyewear

potential for fire and explosion and protection against flammability hazards

management of airborne contaminants (laser plume)

electrical safety laser controlled treatment areas, including designation, warning signs, entry controls, and control of access to the laser

general rules in a laser treatment area

safety of laser products

equipment classification

safe use of laser equipment

laser hazards, including beam hazards and non-beam hazards

risk and hazard management

risk assessment

hierarchy of hazard control:

engineering controls

administration controls

personal protective equipment

quality assurance testing and preventive maintenance

safe work practices.

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:

identifying hazards, analysing the clinical environment and participating in the development, implementation and maintenance of safe practices and risk control for selected hazard types in a laser or IPL clinical treatment area

applying knowledge of relevant standards, guidelines, workplace policies and procedures relating to safe use of IPL and laser apparatus for hair reduction

implementing safe practice protocols in relation to:

setting up equipment

maintaining equipment

client preparation and care

completing and storing required documentation relating to clinical procedures checklists and records.

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 a technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines

that competency is demonstrated in a fully equipped simulated laser or IPL hair reduction clinical workplace in a range of real work situations which may include interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace.

Assessment must ensure access to:

a laser clinical treatment area, which includes as a minimum:

radiation warning signs stating 'warning laser in operation do not enter when light above door is illuminated'

non-flammable screens fitted inside any windows to protect a person outside window from non-ionising radiation levels greater than maximum permissible exposure from radiation

ventilation designed to ensure that infective agents are not passed downstream in air handling or exhaust system

fire extinguishing equipment, such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets and wet cloth drapes

IPL and laser equipment which, when energised, is capable of emitting an amount of non-ionising radiation higher than accessible limit for a Class 3B laser for relevant period stated in, and measured in accordance with, laser standards AS2211 (i.e. a Class 4 laser or equivalent in the case of IPL)

cosmetic laser equipment that may include one or more of the following:

normal mode alexandrite

ruby

diode

Nd:Yag

IPL equipment that must have one or more of the following characteristics:

programmable

manual

multiple pulsed shots

single pulsed shots

chilled sapphire head

one or minimal choice of filters

multiple filters

a treatment area, which includes:

a magnifying lamp

eye protection equipment for clients and operators

disposable operator masks

cooling after-treatment products

manufacturer instructions and safety data sheets

laser safety protection plan

a range of clients with different Fitzpatrick skin types seeking hair reduction on a variety of areas on the face and body

current safety and environmental standards, guidelines workplace policies, procedures documentation regarding IPL and laser safety.

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:

direct observation of learners performing a range of tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:

setting up and taking down equipment

organising preventive maintenance

completing clinical procedures checklists

providing and documenting safe client care procedures

identifying potential hazards

complying with treatment environment safety procedures

written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess the required skills and knowledge of this unit

third-party reports from technical experts.

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

SIBBHRS707A Provide intense pulsed light and laser hair reduction treatments.

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.

Types of equipment may include:

laser systems, such as:

normal mode alexandrite

ruby

diode

Nd:Yag

IPL systems with some of the following characteristics:

programmable

manual

multiple pulsed shots

single pulsed shots

chilled sapphire head

one or minimal choice of filters

multiple filters.

Risks may include:

incomplete hair removal or regrowth

darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)

lightening of the skin (hypopigmentation)

blistering and scarring

changes in the skin texture

crusting or scabbing

hair changes.

Safety measures required to protect clients may include:

pre-treatment patch testing

adequate eye protection

filtering and exhausting airborne contaminants

adequate ventilation.

Safety measures required to protect operators may include:

adequate eye protection

wearing masks

adequate ventilation

appropriate draping of areas surrounding treatment site.

Workplace laser safety procedures may include:

laser safety protection plan addressing:

access to laser treatment areas

flammability hazard and fire safety

handling of fibre optic delivery systems

laser-generated airborne contaminants

ocular safety.

Preventivemaintenance must include:

documentation, including:

relevant equipment safety standards

equipment service history

schedule for recommended testing and maintenance

regular testing.

Control panel may include:

power settings

pulse settings

time settings

emergency control

delivery systems.

Procedures checklists and records may include:

pre-treatment

intra-treatment

post-treatment

monthly

six-monthly.

Potential hazards may include:

particular hazards of delivery systems

ocular and skin hazards

client-specific hazards

reflected beam hazards

fire, explosion, electrical and environmental hazards.

Safe ventilation may include:

exhaust systems

filters

masks.