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 Promote spa principles and practice.

1.1 Maximise client interest by explaining the features and benefits of relevant spa therapies and spa treatments  and products .

1.2 Introduce clients  into the spa environment  according to workplace policies and procedures .

2 Prepare, clean and maintain spa treatment environment.

2.1 Ensure that condition of spa environment and equipment  complies with relevant laws, regulations, industry codes of practice and workplace guidelines regarding water use and water hygiene .

2.2 Follow manufacturer and workplace instructions for cleaning, use and maintenance  of equipment.

2.3 Liaise with colleagues to ensure efficient operation of the spa.

2.4 Follow workplace safety procedures for designated wet areas  and recommended personal protective clothing for nominated services according to workplace practice.

2.5 Identify and promptly report equipment malfunction or maintenance requirements to designated person.

3 Monitor spa treatment environment.

3.1 Liaise and negotiate with colleagues to plan and implement the ongoing monitoring  of treatment areas  and equipment at agreed intervals.

3.2 Supervise and check client’s wellbeing in a polite and tactful manner at the required intervals.

3.3 Ensure client modesty and privacy at all times.

3.4 Recognise adverse reactions  which may occur during treatments and take necessary action .

3.5 Maintain the service culture and ambience  of the spa environment.

3.6 Use energy, water and other resources efficiently during spa treatments to reduce negative environmental impacts.

3.7 Ensure own posture and position minimise fatigue and risk of injury to self and client.

4 Complete shutdown of treatment areas and the spa environment.

4.1 Ensure that relevant spa equipment is shut down according to manufacturer instructions.

4.2 Ensure treatment areas are shut down according to relevant laws, regulations and workplace practices.

4.3 Ensure safe disposal of waste according to relevant laws, regulations and workplace policies and procedures.

4.4 Leave treatment area set up for following treatments.

4.5 Liaise with colleagues to confirm the completion of shutdown and availability of vacated 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:

• interpersonal and communication skills to:

• convey service and product advice to clients
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• introduce clients to the spa environment
• provide service to clients in the spa environment
• liaise and negotiate with colleagues

• literacy skills to read and apply:

• relevant workplace documents
• manufacturer instructions on equipment use and maintenance

• numeracy skills to calculate:

• times required for recommended treatment programs
• likely total cost of recommended spa services

• technical skills to:

• observe safe practices in wet areas
• monitor and maintain workplace spa equipment.

Required knowledge 

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

• definition of spa, including:

• healing through water
• philosophy of the current spa movement

• spa history and development, including:

• origins of hydrotherapy
• overseas trends
• development of current spa movement
• cultural healing traditions
• theory and principles of spa therapies, including:

• Thalassotherapy
• Balneotherapy
• Kneipp therapy

• detailed knowledge of the features and benefits of wet and dry room therapies in the workplace
• workplace policies and procedures in regard to selecting and sequencing spa treatments
• procedures for maintaining wet room and dry room equipment
• management of contraindications and adverse effects
• physical properties of water, including:

• states of water
• hydrogen bonding
• surface tension
• cohesion and adhesion
• specific heat capacity
• heat vaporisation and density

• characteristics of water, including:

• buoyancy
• hydrostatic pressure
• turbulence
• viscosity

• chemical properties of water in relation to:

• spa behaviour of water under different conditions
• benefits of water in spa treatments

• chemicals appropriate to the spa environment to maintain water hygiene
• infection and cross-infection and their prevention in spa environments
• water supply and the efficient use of water in spa environments
• workplace procedures for minimising water usage
• federal and local legislative requirements applying to spa operation
• workplace policies and procedures relating to preparing, cleaning and maintaining the spa environment.

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:

• introducing clients into the spa environment
• applying workplace and procedures, legislative requirements and industry codes of practice when preparing, cleaning and maintaining equipment and the spa environment
• maintaining the service culture and ambience of the spa environment for clients
• following workplace safety in wet areas
• completing the shutdown of treatment areas according to workplace policies and procedures.

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:

• relevant workplace documentation including:

• manufacturer's equipment instructions
• product instructions
• manufacturer safety data sheets
• workplace policies and procedures manuals, including spa services and pricing

• a range of clients seeking and experiencing spa treatments, including wet room and dry room therapies requiring the use of products, treatments and equipment from a professional spa range.

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 spa tasks in a simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:

• introducing clients to the spa environment
• explaining the features and benefits of spa treatments and services in the salon range
• preparing, cleaning and maintaining the spa environment
• monitoring the treatment area
• shutting down treatment areas after a service

• written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of the required skills and knowledge of this unit
• completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from a trainer or supervisor
• third-party reports from experienced spa professionals in the workplace.

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

• SIBBSPA502A Plan spa programs
• SIBBSPA503A Provide spa therapies
• SIBBSPA504A Provide stone therapy massage
• SIBBSPA505A Provide Indian head massage for relaxation.

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.

Spa treatments  must include:

• steam
• hydro tub
• vichy shower or wet table or spa capsule.

Spa treatments  may include:

• flotation
• underwater massage
• sauna
• spa pool
• mineral or sea water pool
• power jet massage
• herbal therapy
• body exfoliant
• dry body brushing
• hot oil wrap and massage
• mud, clay and algae wrap.

Products  may include:

• pre-blended aromatic plant oils
• exfoliants
• muds or clays
• algae.

Clients  may include:

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

Spa environment  must include:

• reception
• individual wet and dry treatment rooms
• shower change facilities.

Spa environment  may include:

• a shared wet therapies area.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• health and hygiene legislation and regulations
• methods of sequencing treatments
• privacy of client information
• water management and water hygiene procedures
• occupational health and safety.

Equipment  must include:

• steam equipment
• hydro tub
• vichy shower or wet table or spa capsule.

Equipment  may include:

• sauna
• spa pool
• mineral or sea water pools
• power jet massage.

Water hygiene  may include:

• infection and cross-infection
• methods to prevent cross-contamination
• methods of disinfection
• methods of sterilisation.

Maintenance  may include:

• cleaning
• testing of water and chemical levels
• topping up of water and chemical levels
• replenishing consumables.

Designated wet areas  may include:

• individual wet treatment rooms
• shared wet areas.

Monitoring  may include:

• heat
• humidity
• water levels
• water chemical concentrations
• treatment times
• ventilation
• ambience of the environment.

Treatment areas  must include:

• treatments rooms
• relaxation areas.

Adverse reactions  may include:

• dizziness
• nausea
• skin irritation
• headache.

Necessary action  may include:

• adjusting treatment
• discontinuing treatment
• encouraging client to seek medical advice
• informing relevant members of staff
• facilitating first aid.

Ambience  may include:

• lighting and colours
• relaxation background music or sounds
• quiet areas and general noise management
• perfumed oils or candles
• decaffeinated and herbal refreshments
• cool drinks
• snack service.