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 any variations to treatment plan. 

1.3 Confirm treatment plan with client .

1.4 Obtain written consent from client according to relevant legislation  and workplace policies and procedures .

1.5 Identify and select products  and equipment  according to agreed treatment plan.

2 Prepare client for service.

2.1 Prepare service area and equipment according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

2.2 Provide advice on maintenance  and possible adverse effects  of body piercing to client.

2.3 Measure piercing site  to determine gauge and appropriate size of body jewellery.

2.4 Confirm body jewellery style  according to client requirements.

3 Perform body piercing.

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

3.2 Complete preparation of body jewellery  according to relevant legislation, workplace policies and procedures, manufacturer instructions and treatment plan.

3.3 Cleanse piercing site according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

3.4 Mark body according to selected body jewellery.

3.5 Perform piercing safely and according to treatment plan, relevant legislation, and workplace policies and procedures.

3.6 Cleanse, sterilise or dispose of piercing equipment according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

3.7 Identify and manage adverse effects according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

3.8 Cleanse service area according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

4 Review treatment and provide post-treatment advice.

4.1 Seek client feedback  and record relevant outcomes of treatment .

4.2 Provide home-care advice  according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

4.3 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:

• technical skills to:

• respond to contraindications and adverse effects
• interpret treatment plans, and identify and adjust to changes in clients' condition
• respond to state or territory Acts or local regulations relating to skin penetration and infection control, through the implementation of workplace procedures
• select appropriate types, metals, sizes and gauges of body jewellery
• operate sterilising equipment and complete record keeping requirements
• apply body piercing products and equipment while ensuring the safety of the client and the practitioner

• communication skills to:

• advise clients and respond to questions
• provide information and reassurance to clients throughout body piercing services

• literacy skills to:

• read and interpret relevant workplace documents
• record relevant information accurately and legibly.

Required knowledge 

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

• relevant federal, state and territory Acts and local regulations relating to skin penetration including, relevant occupational health and safety regulations and requirements
• infection control procedures and universal precautions
• workplace policies and procedures in regard to body piercing services
• anatomy and physiology of the skin and skin structures as they relate to body piercing, including:

• simplified cross-section of skin
• glands as they relate to basic skin function
• skin chemicals, including sebum and sweat production:

• normal and abnormal
• collagen
• elastin
• lipids

• microscopic anatomy of the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis
• normal process of skin ageing and structural change
• normal skin response to irritation and trauma
• scars, including hypertrophic and keloid (their origin and evolution) and abnormal scar tissue
• wound healing in different skin types and locations
• effects of treatments on the physical structure of the skin

• body piercing procedures, including:

• preparing service area
• preparing products and equipment
• preparing client and operator
• marking piercing sites
• applying body jewellery
• cleaning and disposing of product and equipment
• maintaining equipment and product records
• maintaining client records
• implementing post-treatment procedures
• implementing procedures for consent forms
• providing home-care advice to client

• appearance of contraindications and adverse effects
• workplace equipment product range and manufacturer instructions and 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 federal, state or territory Acts and local regulations relating to skin penetration along with the application of standard infection control precautions
• recognising and managing contraindications and adverse effects
• safely applying body piercing techniques and jewellery
• using effective questioning and active listening techniques to consult, reassure and negotiate with clients, while maintaining discretion and confidentiality
• selecting, preparing, using and disposing of or cleaning body piercing products and equipment according to legislative requirements, manufacturer instructions and workplace policies and procedures
• evaluating a body piercing service and advising the client on 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 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 upper body piercing treatment area, which includes as a minimum:

• individual client workstations
• adjustable treatment couch with equipment and operator safe working access at head, foot and each side
• access to sterilised equipment
• a plentiful supply of sterile cleansing swabs
• antibacterial skin cleansing solution
• needles
• needle acceptor tubes
• callipers
• forceps
• ball holding tweezers
• ring opening and closing pliers
• iris scissors
• a range of body jewellery in sterile packaging

• personal protective equipment, including disposable gloves
• 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 upper body piercing 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:

• 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:

• preparing the service area and client for body piercing
• selecting an appropriate style and gauge of jewellery
• performing piercings on the upper body
• attaching jewellery
• implementing relevant infection control and skin penetration procedures and legislation

• written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of body piercing procedures, including the application of infection control
• completion of workplace documentation relevant to providing body piercing.

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.

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  must include:

• piercing site or sites
• body jewellery
• equipment
• contraindications:

• bacterial, viral or fungal infections
• rashes
• sunburn
• scar tissue and lesions
• other visible non-normal skin
• hypertrophic and keloid scarring tendency

• areas of the body requiring special treatment:

• soft tissue
• cartilage
• blood supply areas
• nerves.

Variations to treatment plan  may include:

• changes in client's physical condition
• changes in client requirements.

Clients  may include:

• new or regular 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.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• state and local health and hygiene regulations
• federal, state or territory skin penetration Acts and local regulations
• occupational health and safety.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• 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

• care and maintenance of equipment
• designated time frame for service.

Products  may include:

• antiseptic
• cleanser
• swabs
• gloves
• autoclave bags.

Equipment  must include:

• needles
• needle acceptor tubes
• autoclave
• calipers
• forceps
• ball holding tweezers
• ring opening and closing pliers
• iris scissors.

Maintenance  must include:

• disinfection
• care of body jewellery
• general hygiene.

Adverse effects  may include:

• bleeding
• fainting
• infection
• hypertrophic and keloid scarring.

Piercing site  may include:

• ala of nose
• ear cartilage:

• tragus
• antitragus
• helix
• antihelix
• daith

• navel.

Body jewellery style  may include:

• ball captured rings
• barbells
• bananabells
• nose studs
• navel bananabells
• circular barbells.

Infection control procedures  must include:

• pre- and post-treatment cleansing of service area
• single-use equipment
• cleaning of reusable equipment
• personal protective equipment.

Skin penetration procedures  must include:

• prevention of blood to blood contact
• protection of wound sites
• sterilisation.

Preparation of body jewellery  must include:

• sterilisation packaging
• record keeping.

Client feedback  may include:

• comments
• suggestions
• enquiries.

Relevant outcomes of treatment  may include:

• client reaction
• adverse effects.

Home -care advice  must include:

• cleansing procedures for piercing site
• cleaning and rotating procedures for body jewellery
• general hygiene
• wearing loose clothing during healing
• avoiding spas.

Product recommendations  may include:

• saline solution
• antiseptics.