Elements and Performance Criteria

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 jewellerystyle 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.

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.