This unit describes a regular service area in the beauty industry and it applies to the full range of industry environments. The beauty business could be a beauty salon, spa, or retail beauty products environment.

The service is provided in response to a customer brief to pierce an area or multiple areas on one or both ear lobes.

The unit applies to beauty operators performing a prescribed range of functions, involving known routines and procedures. It involves some accountability for the quality of outcomes.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Prepare client for service.

1.1

Prepare service area, operator, client and equipment according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

1.2

Evaluate client needs and characteristics to enable advice and recommendations for an ear piercing service.

1.3

Complete parental consent form if client is under-age.

1.4

Confirm a suitable selection of studs according to client requirements.

1.5

Identify and explain contraindications and refer client to an appropriate professional where required.

1.6

Identify and note areas of the ear requiring special treatment.

2

Perform ear piercing.

2.1

Prepare earrings, load stud gun, and apply studs according to relevant legislation, manufacturer instructions and workplace policies and procedures.

2.2

Identify and manage adverse effects according to workplace policies and procedures.

2.3

Apply infection control and skin penetration procedures according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

2.4

Match earring placement to location agreed with client.

2.5

Clean equipment and service area and dispose of piercing equipment according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

3

Review treatment and provide post-treatment advice.

3.1

Obtain client feedback and record relevant outcomes of treatment.

3.2

Provide home-care advice according to workplace procedures and client needs.

3.3

Make product recommendations according to client requirements.

Required skills

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

communication skills to:

identify client requirements and recommend an ear piercing service

respond to questions and provide information and reassurance to client throughout the service

technical skills to:

use ear piercing equipment safely

apply ear piercing services according to workplace procedures and manufacturer instructions

apply infection control and universal precautions

respond to contraindications and adverse effects

literacy skills to read and apply product information and safety data sheets.

Required knowledge

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

relevant health and hygiene regulations, requirements and skin penetration legislation

relevant occupational health and safety regulations and requirements

infection control procedures and the application of universal precautions

appearance of contraindications and adverse effects

workplace policies and procedures in regard to performing ear piercing services

ear piercing procedures, including:

preparation of service area

preparation of products and equipment

preparation of client

application of studs

cleaning and disposing of products and equipment

post-treatment procedures

procedures for consent forms

after-care and home-care advice to clients

workplace product range and manufacturer instructions or safety data sheets.

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 knowledge of the transmission routes of infectious conditions, and skill in the application of standard infection control precautions

consulting with clients and agreeing on selection and placement of earrings

obtaining parental consent where applicable

recognising and managing contraindications and adverse effects

selecting, preparing, using and disposing of and cleaning ear piercing equipment according to state or territory Acts and local government regulations, manufacturer instructions and workplace policies and procedures

evaluating the outcomes of an ear piercing service and advising the client on future treatments, 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 the workplace or 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 ear piercing area, which includes as a minimum:

an adjustable client chair

professional ear piercing guns

a range of studs appropriate to the ear piercing guns

a range of antiseptic and home-care products

appropriate cleaning and disinfection products and equipment that comply with local health regulations and requirements

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 ear piercing requirements.

For further information on 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 an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:

questioning of client to enable advice and appropriate recommendation for ear piercing service

cleaning and disposing of piercing equipment according to legislative requirements and workplace policies and procedures

providing post-treatment advice according to client needs

written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of providing ear piercing services to clients, including post-treatment advice and relevant legislation

completion of workplace documentation relevant to the provision of ear piercing services

third-party reports from technical experts

completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from a trainer, coach or supervisor.

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

SIRXOHS001A Apply safe working practices.

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.

Clients may include:

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.

Equipment may include:

stud gun

autoclave.

Relevant legislation must include:

state and territory Acts relating to skin penetration services

local government regulations relating to skin penetration services.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

health and hygiene

environmental protection practices, such as:

safe disposal of sharps and other treatment waste

waste minimisation

resource management

water efficiency

designated time frame for service.

Contraindications may include:

bacterial, viral or fungal infections

rashes

sunburn

scar tissue and lesions

other visible non-normal skin

hypertrophic and keloid scarring tendency.

Appropriate professional may include:

medical practitioner

complementary therapist.

Adverse effects may include:

inflammation

infections of the ear lobe.

Home-care advice must include:

care and maintenance procedures for recently pierced ears

care and maintenance procedures for earrings.

Product recommendations may include:

antiseptic

remedial products.

Sector

Beauty

Skin Services

This unit contains employability skills.