Elements and Performance Criteria

Treatment plan may include but is not limited to:
piercing site/s
body jewellery
equipment
contra-indications:
intoxication
skin trauma
skin diseases
rashes
hypersensitive skin
allergy to jewellery materials
bacterial, viral or fungal infections
sun burn
scar tissue/lesions/keloid tendency
other visible non-normal skin
age
body structure
areas of the body requiring special treatment:
soft tissue
cartilage
blood supply areas
nerves.

Variations to the treatment plan may include but are not limited to:
changes in client's physical condition
changes in client requirements.

Clients may include but are not limited to:
new or regular clients with routine or special needs.

Relevant legislation may include but is not limited to:
Federal, State and local health and hygiene regulations
skin penetration legislation
Occupational Health and Safety
standards of practice.

Workplace policies and procedures may include but are not limited to:
health and hygiene
care and maintenance of equipment
designated time frame for the performance of the service.

Products may include but are not limited to:
antiseptic
cleanser
swabs
gloves
autoclave bags.

Equipment must include but is not limited to:
needles
needle acceptor tubes
autoclave
calipers
forceps
ball holding tweezers
ring opening/closing pliers
iris scissors.

Maintenance must include but is not limited to:
disinfection
care of body jewellery
general hygiene.

Adverse effects may include but are not limited to.
bleeding
fainting
infection
keloid scarring.

Piercing site must only include:
nose (ala)
ear cartilage:
tragus
antitragus
helix
antihelix
daith
navel.

Body jewellery style may include but is not limited to
ball captured rings
barbells
bananabells
nose studs
navel bananabells
circular barbells.

Infection control must include but is not limited to:
pre- and post-treatment cleansing of service area
single-use equipment
cleaning of reusable equipment
protective equipment.

Skin penetration procedures must include but are not limited to:
prevention of blood to blood contact
protection of wound site/s
sterilisation.

Preparation of body jewellery must include:
sterilisation packaging
record keeping.

Client feedback may include but is not limited to:
comments
suggestions
enquiries.

Relevant outcomes of treatment may include but are not limited to:
client reaction
adverse effects.

Aftercare advice must include but is not limited to:
cleansing procedures for piercing site
cleaning/rotating procedures for body jewellery
general hygiene
wearing loose clothing during healing
avoiding spas.

Product recommendations may include but are not limited to:
saline solution
antiseptics.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Knowledge and consistent application of workplace policies and procedures and standards of practice in regard to the performance of body piercing services.
Knowledge and consistent application of Federal, State and local health and hygiene regulations and skin penetration legislation and of workplace policies and procedures in regard to hygiene.
Knowledge of high risk diseases and the application of appropriate infection control procedures for practitioners and clients.
Knowledge of the transmission routes of infectious conditions and skills in the application of standard infection control precautions.
Recognising and managing contra-indications and adverse effects.
Reading, accurately interpreting and consistently applying manufacturer instructions for products, tools and equipment.
Consistently using effective questioning and active listening techniques to consult, reassure and negotiate with clients while maintaining discretion, tact and confidentiality.
Consistently selecting, preparing, using and disposing of or cleaning body piercing products and equipment according to legislative requirements, manufacturer instructions and workplace policies and procedures.
Accurately and legibly recording relevant data.
Evaluating a body piercing service and advising the client on homecare and complementary products.

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 beauty therapist and/or an experienced person at the workplace.
Competency should be demonstrated in a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations which 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 page 32 of the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

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 which includes evidence of:

the application of knowledge of skin biology, anatomy and physiology, skin science and cosmetic chemistry as it is specifically identified in the required knowledge for this unit
developing a treatment plan.

The following units relate to this unit of competency and have been identified as:

Pre-requisite
WRBCS407A Develop a treatment plan for beauty therapy treatments
Co-requisites
WRBCS305A Apply knowledge of skin biology to beauty treatments
WRBCS408A Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to beauty therapy treatments
WRBCS409A Apply knowledge of skin science to beauty therapy treatments
WRBCS412A Apply knowledge of cosmetic chemistry to beauty therapy treatments

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:


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

preparing the service area and client for body piercing
selecting an appropriate style and gauge of jewellery
applying products and equipment infection control and skin penetration procedures and legislation.
written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of providing body piercing procedures, including the application of infection control. Questions will be asked in a manner appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner.
completing workplace documentation relevant to providing body piercing.
completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from trainer/coach/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.

Required skills and knowledge to achieve the performance criteria
Responding to contra-indications and adverse effects.
Interpreting the treatment plan and identifying and adjusting to any changes in the client's condition.
Applying skin penetration and infection control procedures.
Selecting appropriate types, metals, sizes and gauges of body jewellery.
Operating sterilising equipment and completing record keeping requirements.
Applying body piercing products and equipment while ensuring the safety of the client and the practitioner.
Responding to questions and providing information and reassurance to the client throughout the service.
Recording all relevant information accurately and legibly.
Language, literacy and numeracy skills relevant to the role and workplace requirements.
The provisions of relevant health and hygiene regulations and skin penetration legislation.
The provisions of relevant Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
Infection control procedures and universal precautions.
Workplace policies and procedures in regard to the performance of body piercing services.

Anatomy and physiology of the skin and skin structures as it relates to body piercing, including:

a 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 and 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.

Body piercing procedures, including:

preparation of the service area
preparation of products and equipment
preparation of the client and operator
marking piercing sites
application of body jewellery
cleaning/disposal of product/equipment
maintenance of equipment and product records
maintenace of client records
post-treatment procedures
procedures for consent forms
aftercare and homecare advice to client.
Cosmetic chemistry/ingredients in relevant treatment products particularly in regard to their likely effects on the skin, the toxic effects of various substances and their contribution to premature ageing and possible contra-indications in combination with other products or circumstances.
The appearance of contra-indications and adverse effects.
The workplace product range and manufacturer instructions/data sheets.

Specific resources required for assessment

Relevant documentation, such as:

workplace policy and procedures manuals.
Access to a range of clients with different requirements.
A range of products and equipment appropriate to the body piercing workplace.
Product labels and sources of product information.
A qualified workplace assessor or assessment team.

Communicating ideas and information
Providing aftercare advice will require the communication of ideas and information. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Identifying any changes in the client's condition requiring adjustments to the treatment plan will require information to be collected, analysed and organised. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Preparing equipment and products will require activities to be planned and organised. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Maintaining knowledge of relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures will require team work. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Identifying the appropriate gauge and size of body jewellery will require the use of mathematical ideas and techniques. (2)

Solving problems
Identifying and managing adverse effects will require problem solving. (2)

Using technology
Using body piercing equipment will require the use of technology. (2)