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 Prepare for an acrylic nail enhancement service.

1.1 Prepare service area, client  and self for an acrylic nail enhancement service  according to relevant legislation and codes  and workplace policies and procedures .

1.2 Evaluate client needs and expectations to provide advice and recommendations for a treatment plan .

1.3 Advise client regarding maintenance requirements  and advantages and disadvantages of various styles of acrylic nails.

1.4 Recognise nail conditions, including specific acrylic nail treatment complications, and note areas of nails requiring special treatment.

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

1.6 Select style of acrylic nail application and finished nail shape according to treatment plan and confirm with client.

1.7 Select acrylic nail products  according to treatment plan and confirm these with client.

2 Remove artificial nails.

2.1 Select artificial nail removal products and equipment  according to agreed treatment plan and manufacturer instructions.

2.2 Evaluate client’s expectations of removal to provide advice and recommendations for a removal treatment plan.

2.3 Advise client regarding natural nail maintenance requirements and post-removal care.

2.4 Advise client regarding non-acrylic artificial nail options along with the advantages and disadvantages of various types of artificial nails.

2.5 Remove artificial nails according to manufacturer instructions and safety data.

3 Apply or refill artificial nails.

3.1 Select acrylic nail products and equipment according to agreed treatment plan and manufacturer instructions.

3.2 Use personal protective equipment  for client and self where required according to manufacturers’ safety data and workplace safety procedures.

3.3 Cleanse and prepare nails, applying preparation nail products in sequence according to manufacturer instructions.

3.4 Apply, refill or mend acrylic nails as required according to manufacturer recommendations and treatment plan.

3.5 Complete acrylic nail application service according to client requirements, relevant legislation, and workplace policies and procedures.

3.6 Follow workplace environmental control procedures to safely dispose of treatment waste. 

3.7 Sanitise equipment according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

3.8 Evaluate finished result against treatment plan.

4 Review treatment and provide post-treatment advice.

4.1 Seek client feedback and record relevant outcomes of treatment.

4.2 Recommend future treatment program according to client requirements.

4.3 Revise treatment plan as required.

4.4 Provide maintenance advice and make product recommendations  according to client requirements.

4.5 Rebook client according to agreed treatment plan.

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:

• analyse client's nails and skin and design a treatment plan
• respond to contraindications and adverse effects
• remove acrylic nails safely with a minimum of trauma to natural nail
• apply acrylic nails following structural and aesthetic requirements recognised by industry
• apply acrylic products and use files with control causing no irritation, over-exposure or trauma to client's soft tissue
• maintain acrylic nails following structural and aesthetic requirements recognised by industry and with no trauma to client's soft tissue
• apply chemical control procedures during application, including preventive actions and use of personal protective equipment
• apply universal infection control procedures
• evaluate outcomes of service and advise client on methods and procedures for home-care and complementary products after application or removal of artificial nails

• communication skills to discuss analysis, products to be applied, and desired outcome with client
• literacy skills to read and apply product information and manufacturers' safety data sheets
• numeracy skills to calculate required product quantities and service time.

Required knowledge 

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

• gross anatomy of skin and nails, and shape, function and growth of nails and effects on artificial nails
• relevant health and hygiene regulations
• appearance of contraindications and adverse effects
• relevant occupational health and safety regulations and requirements
• requirements of manufacturers' product safety data for acrylic nail products
• chemical awareness and techniques for product control to minimise over-exposure and trauma
• safe and environmentally effective methods of venting nail chemical fumes
• chemical components of gel application process and their properties
• procedures for recording trial nail reaction testing
• effects of artificial nail removal on underlying natural nail
• infection control procedures and application of universal precautions
• workplace policies and procedures in regard to acrylic nail enhancement services
• effects created by complementary nail shapes and colour polish or varnish application
• structural requirements needed to achieve a successful nail enhancement
• correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substances
• workplace product range.

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 safe work practices and relevant health regulations when applying acrylic nail enhancement
• recognising and managing specific acrylic nail treatment complications, including:

• product reaction to temperature
• client reaction to products
• natural nail separation
• discolouring of product
• peeling of acrylic product
• bacterial infection (pseudomonas)
• damage to natural nail due to poor removal techniques

• interpreting and applying manufacturer instructions and safety data sheets for products, tools and equipment
• analysing client's lifestyle, nails and skin to design treatment plans and provide advice to meet client needs, including:

• type and style of acrylic procedure and product
• safe product application techniques
• areas requiring corrective or remedial services
• acrylic nail removal
• application and refill of acrylic nails
• polish or varnish application
• home-care or complementary products

• applying product to nail surfaces, avoiding skin to reduce risk of skin irritation
• effective time management of services and control of product waste.

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 acrylic nail services workstation, which includes as a minimum:

• effective exhaust system for nail chemical vapours
• manicure table
• operator chair
• client chair
• nail table lamp
• implement sanitising tray
• hand and nail sanitiser at each table
• desk mats
• desk towels
• brushes
• files, including emery boards, metal and buffers
• tip cutters
• acrylic clippers
• sculpting forms
• cuticle pushers

• personal protective equipment, including disposable gloves
• acrylic nail products from comprehensive professional nail services range
• appropriate cleaning and disinfection products and equipment
• 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 acrylic nail 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 an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:

• preparing client for acrylic nail enhancement service
• recognising skin and nail conditions, including specific acrylic nail treatment complications, and providing advice to clients
• removing artificial nails according to manufacturer instructions
• applying or refilling acrylic nails according to agreed treatment plan

• written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of the provision and chemistry of acrylic nail enhancement services, including maintenance advice and relevant legislation
• completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from a trainer or supervisor.

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

• SIBBNLS201A Work in a nail services framework
• SIBBNLS202A Provide manicure and pedicare services
• SIBBNLS205A Apply nail art
• SIBBNLS206A Use electric file equipment for nails.

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:

• 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.

Acrylic nail enhancement service  must include:

• tips:

• French
• natural
• clear

• acrylic overlays over natural nails
• French back refill
• refill
• sculptured nails
• French acrylic over tip.

Acrylic nail enhancement service  may include:

• fingernails
• toenails
• design acrylic
• mixed media with acrylic
• coloured acrylic.

Relevant legislation and codes  may include:

• federal, state or territory, and local health and hygiene regulations
• occupational health and safety legislation
• industry codes of practice.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• health and hygiene
• workplace product range and manufacturer instructions
• environmental protection practices, such as:

• methods of venting air
• temperature and air currents
• waste minimisation
• energy efficiency, e.g. electricity saving devices and practices
• waste disposal
• resource management
• water efficiency

• workplace time frame allocated for service.

Treatment plan  may include:

• required service
• areas requiring special treatment
• products
• tools and equipment
• follow-up procedures.

Maintenance requirements  may include:

• removing loose acrylic
• repairing damaged, chipped or broken nails (natural or artificial)
• blending regrowth lines
• repolishing with colour or French polish
• filing and buffing
• shortening
• reshaping
• reapplying new nail
• rebalancing stress curve
• correcting side walls of extension.

Contraindications  may include:

• damaged natural nail from ineffective removal of artificial nails
• bacterial, viral or fungal infections
• warts
• inflamed skin
• visible non-normal nails
• rashes.

Appropriate professional  may include:

• medical practitioner
• complementary therapist.

Acrylic nail products  may include:

• acid or non-acid primer
• adhesive:

• thin
• gel

• various styles of tips
• acrylic powder (polymer)
• acrylic liquid (monomer)
• dehydrator
• hand and nail sanitisers
• artificial nail remover.

Equipment  must include:

• sanitising tray or unit for implements with appropriate strength solution
• hand files
• buffers
• table with air venting facility/chair
• hand and nail sanitiser
• desk lamp
• desk mats
• desk towels
• dappen dishes
• brushes:

• for application of artificial nails
• primer brushes

• emery boards
• tip cutters
• acrylic clippers
• sculpting forms
• cuticle pushers.

Equipment  may include:

• electric files.

Personal protective equipment  may include:

• face masks
• goggles
• gloves.

Treatment waste  may include:

• filing dust
• desk mats
• excess product.

Product recommendations  may include:

• buffers
• files
• cuticle oil or cream
• polish
• polish remover
• hand cream
• nail jewellery.