Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design and apply therapeutic treatment plans to slow or cure hair loss. The unit of competency may apply to a number of roles in the workplace.

Application of the Unit 

This unit requires knowledge of topical and nutritional hair loss therapies. This knowledge is applied to design and apply individual or multiple treatments in response to hair loss assessments, where a potential positive response to such therapy is indicated. It also requires communication with patients to provide advice regarding between-treatments self-administered aspects of the treatment program, along with advice on lifestyle factors. Knowledge of relevant legislative requirements and the workplace approach to topical and nutritional hair loss therapy; along with attention to client safety, comfort and relaxation throughout treatment services are required.

In the context of an assessment-only and/or a training delivery and assessment pathway, units of competency that relate to this unit are identified in the evidence guide of this unit.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the element. The variables for the bold italicised  text are outlined in the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Apply hair loss therapy.

1.1

Hair loss therapy  is determined based on patient  assessment and relevant topical treatments  and nutritional supplements  are selected.

1.2

A therapeutic treatment plan  including costs relating to the selected therapy is formulated, recorded and confirmed with patient.

1.3

Therapeutic treatments  are applied according to the confirmed treatment plan, legislative requirements  and workplace policies and procedures .

2

Counsel patient and review treatment.

2.1

Patient is counselled regarding lifestyle adjustments  and self-administered aspects of the therapeutic treatment plan.

2.2

Patient questioning and visual examination are used to review and evaluate the benefits of the therapeutic treatment plan.

2.3

Therapy is adjusted or varied as an outcome of review where indicated.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level , required for this unit .

Skills may include :

• ability to diagnose various hair loss problems

• ability to use a microscope as a tool to aid diagnosis when necessary

• ability to recognise which therapy, if any, is indicated for specific problems

• client consultation that takes into account the culture, background and physical abilities of the client while demonstrating knowledge of the following communication techniques:

• using open and closed questions
• speaking clearly and concisely
• using appropriate language
• non-verbal communication
• written communication

• consistent and sensitive ongoing client counselling that:

• puts patients at ease and reassures them
• explains treatment or non-treatment prognosis and options
• explains each stage of the treatment program

• language, literacy and numeracy skills relevant to the role and workplace requirements.

Knowledge may include :

• provisions of relevant health and hygiene legislation and regulations

• provisions of relevant occupational health and safety legislation and regulations

• the role and function of the following body systems:

• endocrine
• autonomic nervous
• circulatory
• immune
• digestive

• nutrition

• microscopy

• relevant hair loss symptoms and therapies including:

• signs and symptoms
• causes
• available therapies.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence. It is essential for assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the range statement and the assessment guidelines of the relevant Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit of competency must be able to diagnose specific hair loss problems, using microscopy if necessary. She/he must decide appropriate therapies based on the patients problem and case history, determine the need for referral to other professionals and communicate information to the patient in a simple, reassuring manner.

Specific evidence requirements 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

• knowledge and consistent application of relevant workplace policies and procedures

• consistently applying the use of microscopy as a tool in hair loss diagnosis and treatment

• consistently applying patient diagnosis to assess where therapeutic hair loss treatment therapies are indicated

• consistently applying available therapies in therapeutic hair loss treatment

• ability to plan and implement hair loss treatment therapy programs involving topical treatments and/or nutritional therapies

• consistently referring patients to other professionals where indicated

• consistently and sensitively counselling patients at all stages of the program

• accurately and legibly recording relevant data on patient histories.

Context of assessment 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the trichologist and/or an experienced person at the workplace.

Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations that may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Specific resources for assessment 

Competency for this unit should be assessed through access to:

• relevant documentation such as:

• workplace policy and procedures manuals
• workplace forms
• occupational health and safety legislation and regulations

• an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
• relevant learning materials
• a qualified workplace assessor or assessment team.

Relationship to other units 

This unit is a co-requisite for a range of trichology units. It requires an assessment outcome that includes evidence of the application of knowledge of hair loss diagnosis, nutrition and topical treatment therapies to the performance of one or more trichological treatments.

Prerequisite units :

• none.

Co-requisite units :

• WRHHS406A Develop and apply scalp treatment therapies
• WRHHS407A Perform hair loss diagnosis
• WRHHS408A Design and provide nutritional therapies.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested.

• Observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:

• identifying patient problem
• developing and implementing a hair loss therapy plan including nutritional supplements and topical treatments according to an assessment of client needs
• providing complementary advice according to client needs.

• Written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of the relationship between nutrition and healthy hair and scalp.
• Case studies and scenarios involving referrals to and teamwork with other professionals.

Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.

It can be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone, through an integrated assessment activity or through a combination of both.

Evidence should be gathered as part of the learning process.

Assessing employability skills 

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically in the context of the job role and with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

The following variables 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. Bold italicised  text from the performance criteria is detailed here.

Hair loss therapy  is limited to treatment for:

• genetic hair loss in men and women
• loose anagen syndrome
• diffuse hair loss as a result of:

• iron deficiency
• essential fatty acid deficiency
• thyroid problems
• blood sugar problems
• alopecia areata.

Patients  may include:

• men
• women
• children
• new or regular patients with routine or special needs
• patients from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Topical treatments  may include:

• Dithranol
• Rogaine
• anti-yeast and anti-bacterial scalp creams.

Nutritional supplements  may include:

• tyrosine
• vitamins
• minerals
• essential fatty acids
• digestive aids.

A therapeutic treatment plan  may include:

• type of treatment
• frequency of use
• length of use
• how to manage possible adverse effects
• time span for improvement in hair loss.

Therapeutic treatments  may include:

• nutritional supplements
• application of topical creams
• ultraviolet radiation
• lifestyle changes.

Legislative requirements  may include:

• federal, state and local health and hygiene
• occupational health and safety.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• health and hygiene
• comfort and privacy
• timeframes for the completion of the service
• quality assurance.

Lifestyle adjustments  may include:

• changing diet
• ceasing or moderating alcohol consumption
• ceasing or moderating tobacco consumption
• increasing exercise
• reducing exposure to sunlight
• other measures to reduce personal stress.

Competency Field 

Hairdressing