Unit of competency details

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 Confirm treatment plan.

1.1 Access client treatment plan. 

1.2 Identify and note variations to the treatment plan. 

1.3 Confirm treatment plan with client. 

1.4 Obtain written consent from client.

1.5 Select treatment procedure  according to agreed treatment plan.

2 Prepare client for electrolysis service.

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

2.2 Select and prepare equipment  according to agreed treatment plan, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

3 Perform a patch test.

3.1 Select a small area of skin to conduct a patch test .

3.2 Perform a patch test according to agreed treatment plan, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

3.3 Select post-treatment skin care products  and apply according to agreed treatment plan and client reaction to the patch test.

3.4 Dispose or treat probe and other equipment in accordance with relevant legislation.

3.5 Assess outcomes of patch test and amend where appropriate to confirm the future treatment plan with client.

4 Perform permanent hair removal.

4.1 Prepare client according to agreed treatment plan and workplace policies and procedures.

4.2 Cleanse treatment area  according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

4.3 Select probe size, electrical current type and level; and apply according to treatment plan, constantly monitoring reactions and adjusting for client comfort and safety.

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

4.5 Safely dispose of treatment waste  to minimise negative environmental impacts according to health regulations and workplace policies and procedures.

4.6 Select and apply electrical post-treatment care  according to treatment plan and client service reaction and requirements.

4.7 Select post-treatment skin care products and apply according to client needs.

4.8 Dispose of probe and treat other equipment in accordance with relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

5 Review treatment and provide post-treatment advice.

5.1 Obtain client feedback  and record relevant outcomes of treatment .

5.2 Reconfirm future treatment program  according to treatment outcome and client needs.

5.3 Explain possible adverse effects  to client.

5.4 Provide home-care advice  according to client needs.

5.5 Rebook client according to agreed treatment plan.

5.6 Advise source of referral  of treatment progress, if requested.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

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

• technical skills to:

• apply infection control procedures
• conduct and evaluate a patch test
• respond to contraindications and adverse effects
• interpret treatment plan and adapt treatment to accommodate changes in client's physical condition
• apply a range of electrical treatment and after-treatment equipment and products

• communication skills to respond to questions and provide information and reassurance to client throughout service
• literacy skills to:

• read and interpret documents, such as health regulations, skin penetration regulations, manufacturer instructions, product safety data sheets, and records of previous treatments
• develop treatment plans and record treatment outcomes

• numeracy skills to calculate desired current level and treatment area for each treatment session.

Required knowledge 

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

• relevant state or territory Acts and local regulations relevant to skin penetration, including:

• modes of infectious disease transmission
• difference between hygiene, disinfection and sterilisation
• benefits of chemical and physical disinfection
• methods of sterilisation and disinfection
• infection control procedures

• relevant occupational health and safety regulations and requirements
• transmission routes of infectious conditions and application of standard infection control procedures, including:

• safe handling and disposal of sharps
• contingency strategies for blood and body fluid contact, clients with contagious diseases

• immunity and how it is acquired
• workplace policies and procedures in regard to permanent hair removal treatments
• appearance of contraindications and adverse effects
• effects and benefits of defined range of skin care products
• factors likely to affect suitability of electrolysis to client needs and effects, risks and benefits of electrolysis treatments
• skin hair structure and growth in regard to permanent hair removal treatments, including:

• types of hair: lanugo, vellus and terminal
• factors affecting hair growth, such as:

• hormonal: topical and systemic
• exposure to sunlight
• heredity
• drugs and chemicals

• hair growth patterns
• influence of hair removal on hair growth
• ingrown hairs, causes and treatment
• growth cycle of hair and its relationship to permanent hair removal
• histology of hair

• relationship between nutrition and healthy skin, particularly foods which may have an effect on skin or which may be contraindicated in combination with relevant skin conditions, or products used in a treatment procedure or diet-related diseases which may affect electrolysis treatments
• operator's legal and insurance liabilities and responsibilities in regard to electrolysis services and use and preparation of treatment products
• causes of skin reactions in regard to electrolysis treatments and appearance and management of specific treatment complication or adverse effects, including:

• inflammation arising from the permanent hair removal treatments
• torn skin
• bruising
• broken capillaries
• infections of the hair follicle
• burns to skin
• bleeding from follicles

• physical appearance of:

• various skin types
• normal skin
• abnormal skin conditions
• minor skin blemishes
• skin diseases and disorders

• typical medical treatments, drugs and side effects relevant to hair reduction using electrolysis
• relevant electrical equipment, including:

• properties and use of electrical energy, electrostatics and electrical current, in permanent hair removal
• use of alternating current for high frequency treatments
• sources and effects of laser treatment in permanent hair removal
• safe practices and management

• factors affecting:

• client pain tolerance
• needle or probe size selection
• accurate probing, including duration, angle and depth
• correct probing and successful treatment outcomes
• safety and comfort
• current intensity and method choice
• causes of skin damage

• electrical post-treatment care procedures, including low-frequency laser and healing products
• post-treatment advice for specific treatment areas, including underarm, chest, stomach, bikini line and face
• factors affecting treatment planning, including skin healing, skin reaction, follicle distribution, areas treated, extent of area to be treated, client finances, pain tolerance
• workplace product and equipment range and manufacturer instructions and 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 relevant state or territory and local health and hygiene regulations, including skin penetration regulations
• applying relevant regulations, workplace procedures, and safe work practices in regard to electrolysis treatments
• interpreting a treatment plan, including adapting treatment to accommodate changes in client's condition
• safely inserting probe and applying electrolysis treatments for clients with a variety of hair and follicle types, at a variety of hair growth stages and on a variety of treatment areas
• evaluating outcomes of an electrolysis treatment and advising 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
• that competency is demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of simulated situations which include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace.

Assessment must ensure access to:

• a fully equipped electrolysis treatment area, which includes as a minimum:

• individual client workstation
• adjustable treatment couch with equipment and operator safe working access at head, foot and each side
• access to sterilised small tools and equipment
• electricity supply to each workstation
• equipment that provides thermolysis, galvanic, direct, and alternating blend currents
• magnifying lamp
• supply of disposable probes
• supply of needle acceptor tubes
• personal protective equipment, including disposable gloves

• 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 hair reduction 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:

• direct 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:

• planning a treatment program that involves a series of electrolysis treatments to achieve client's desired hair reduction outcome
• discussing variations to treatment plan with client
• safely applying electrolysis treatments
• applying infection control and skin penetration procedures according to health and hygiene
• applying regulations and workplace policies and procedures
• obtaining and recording feedback from client on outcomes of each stage of treatment program

• case studies, and written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of:

• actions of currents used in electrolysis
• actions of electrolysis on hair follicle and surrounding skin
• relevant skin penetration regulations
• workplace environmental and infection controls

• third-party reports from technical experts
• completion of self-paced learning material, including personal reflection and feedback from the trainer, workplace coach or supervisor.

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
• SIBBCCS405A Develop treatment plans
• SIBBCCS406A Use electricity in beauty therapy 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.

Treatment plan  may include:

• treatment area
• follicle type and distribution
• hair type:

• single, compound
• straight, curved
• fine, coarse
• lanugo, vellus, terminal

• treatment duration
• products
• equipment
• follow-up procedures
• contraindications:

• bacterial, viral or fungal infections
• impetigo
• scabies
• lice
• boils and carbuncles
• candidiasis
• acne
• rashes
• diabetes
• pigmentation disorders
• disorders of ageing skin
• sunburn
• biological changes, including:

• puberty
• menopause
• premature ageing
• anorexia
• anaemia
• pregnancy

• scar tissues and lesions
• dilated capillaries
• skin trauma
• pacemakers and metal implants
• other visible non-normal skin

• relevant medical history and medications
• outcomes of previous temporary and permanent hair removal treatments.

Variations to treatment plan  may include:

• changes in client physical condition
• changes to client requirements.

Clients  may include:

• male or female clients
• new or regular clients with routine or special needs
• people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities.

Treatment procedure  may include:

• current duration
• current intensity
• pre- and post-treatment products.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• state or territory Acts and local regulations relating to skin penetration
• state or territory and local health and hygiene regulations
• occupational health and safety.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• health and hygiene
• workplace equipment, product range and manufacturer instructions
• designated time frame allocated for service
• 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.

Equipment  must include:

• thermolysis
• galvanic
• direct and alternating blend
• magnification lamp.

Patch test  must include:

• replication of treatment plan:

• procedures
• products
• equipment.

Post -treatment skin care products  may include:

• antiseptic
• serums
• lotions.

Treatment area  may include:

• face
• body
• arms and legs.

Infection control  must include:

• use of personal protective equipment
• equipment sterilisation and disinfection
• use of disposable equipment.

Skin penetration procedures  must include:

• cleansing of treatment area
• prevention of blood to blood contact
• disposal of sharps
• disposal of infectious and non-infectious waste.

Treatment waste  may include:

• probes
• hair
• gloves
• swabs.

Electrical post -treatment care  may include:

• cataphoresis
• high frequency
• low level laser.

Client feedback  may include:

• comments
• suggestions
• enquiries.

Relevant outcomes of treatment  may include:

• client satisfaction with treatment
• pain experienced
• appearance of treatment area.

Future treatment program  may include:

• number and frequency of further treatments
• complementary services or treatments.

Adverse effects  may include:

• erythema or inflammation arising from hair removal treatment or products
• scarring
• allergic reactions of skin or body to treatment or products
• reactions of client to electrical current, treatment or product.

Home -care advice  may include:

• care of treatment area
• management of hair growth
• product recommendations.

Source of referral  may include:

• complementary therapist
• medical practitioner.