Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and apply scalp treatment therapies for single or multiple treatment sessions. This unit of competency may apply to a number of roles in the workplace.

Application of the Unit 

This unit requires the application of knowledge of workplace hair and scalp treatments to effectively design and apply individual or multiple treatments in response to trichological assessments. It also requires communication with patients to provide advice on self-administered parts of the treatment program and lifestyle factors to be adhered to between clinical treatments. Knowledge of relevant local health regulations and the workplace range and approach to hair and scalp treatments is required, along with attention to client safety, comfort and relaxation throughout the services.

In the context of an assessment-only and/or a training delivery and assessment pathway, units of competency that relate to this unit are identified in the evidence guide of this unit.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the element. The variables for the bold italicised  text are outlined in the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Determine appropriate therapy.

1.1

Appropriate therapy is determined based on patient  assessment and available workplace therapies and procedures .

1.2

A treatment plan  including costs is formulated according to the selected therapy and confirmed with the patient.

2

Provide therapy.

2.1

Treatment area is prepared according to workplace policies and procedures , and legislative requirements .

2.2

Remedial therapy is provided according to the treatment plan.

2.3

Topical treatments  are applied according to the treatment plan.

3

Counsel patient and review treatment.

3.1

Patient is counselled regarding beneficial home care treatments , routines and lifestyle adjustments .

3.2

Questioning and visual examination are used to review treatment progress and improvement outcomes.

3.3

Treatment is adjusted or varied as an outcome of review, where indicated.

3.4

Patient treatment record is updated regularly.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level , required for this unit .

Skills may include :

• responding to scalp analysis and recommending and performing scalp treatment services, including:

• preparation of the service area
• preparation of products and equipment
• preparation of the client
• safe application of the treatment

• communication skills that take into account the culture, background and physical abilities of the client while demonstrating knowledge of the following communication techniques:

• using open and closed questions
• speaking clearly and concisely
• using appropriate language
• non-verbal communication
• written communication

• language, literacy and numeracy skills relevant to the role and workplace requirements

• scalp massage movements.

Knowledge may include :

• provisions of relevant health and hygiene legislation and regulations

• provisions of relevant occupational health and safety legislation and regulations

• knowledge of the principles of scalp science as they apply to the provision of scalp treatments

• workplace policies and procedures in regard to the performance of scalp treatments

• knowledge of skin structure and function in relation to scalp treatments and procedures

• treatable scalp conditions

• the symptoms and appearance of infectious scalp conditions

• the workplace product, treatment and equipment range and manufacturer's instructions and product safety data sheets.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence. It is essential for assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the range statement and the assessment guidelines of the relevant Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit of competency must be able to recognise a range of scalp problems, develop and apply therapeutic treatments to rectify problems or assist in the management of chronic scalp conditions.

Knowledge and skill in the application of local health regulations and the workplace treatment range, along with attention to workplace treatment and referral practices and procedures, must be demonstrated.

Specific evidence requirements 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

• knowledge and consistent application of relevant workplace policies and procedures, and safe work practices in regard to the provision of scalp treatments

• knowledge and consistent application of federal, state and local health and hygiene legislation and regulations

• knowledge of the transmission routes of infectious conditions

• recognising common treatable scalp conditions

• consistently planning and applying scalp treatment programs as an outcome of scalp analysis

• knowledge and skill in the application of a variety of scalp treatments, using a variety of techniques and procedures involving skin care.

Context of assessment 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the hairdresser and/or an experienced person at the workplace.

Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations that may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Specific resources for assessment 

Competency for this unit should be assessed through access to:

• relevant documentation, such as:

• occupational health and safety legislation and regulations
• workplace policy and procedures manuals
• client history

• a range of clients with different needs
• a range of equipment and products appropriate to the trichology workplace
• product labels and other sources of product information
• a qualified workplace assessor or assessment team.

Relationship to other units 

In the context of an assessment-only and/or a training delivery and assessment pathway, this unit requires an assessment outcome that includes evidence of the application of skills and knowledge to complete trichological assessments.

Prerequisite units :

• none.

Co-requisite units :

• WRHHS404A Perform trichological assessments
• WRHHS405A Apply the principles of nutrition.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested.

• Observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:

• identifying appropriate treatment regimens for a range of scalp conditions
• performing a variety of treatment processes
• completing patient records relevant to scalp treatments.

• Written and/or oral questions to assess knowledge and understanding of scalp treatments, including after-care advice and relevant legislation.
• Third-party reports from experienced trichologists in the workplace.
• Completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feed back from the trainer, coach or supervisor.

Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.

It can be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone, through an integrated assessment activity or through a combination of both.

Evidence should be gathered as part of the learning process.

Assessing employability skills 

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically in the context of the job role and with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

The following variables 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. Bold italicised  text from the performance criteria is detailed here.

Patients  may include:

• men
• women
• children
• new or regular patients with routine or special needs
• people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Available workplace therapies and procedures  may include:

• creams for scaly problems
• pre-mixed creams
• creams mixed by a pharmacist at the request of a trichologist
• ultraviolet therapy
• medicated shampoos
• massage.

Treatment plans  may include:

• patient details
• diagnosis
• single or multiple clinical treatments
• recommended self-administered therapies
• cost.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• health and hygiene
• comfort and privacy
• designated timeframes for the completion of the service
• quality assurance.

Legislative requirements  may include:

• federal, state and local health and hygiene
• occupational health and safety.

Topical treatments  may include:

• conditioning creams
• scalp peels
• medicated treatments
• shampoos.

Beneficial home care treatments  may include:

• application of shampoos and/or creams
• diet modification.

Lifestyle adjustments  may include:

• reduced sun exposure
• nutritional changes.

Competency Field 

Hairdressing