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 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.

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:

• 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.