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 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.

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

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.

Preventive maintenance  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.