Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

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.
none.
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.

Communicating ideas and information
Conveying hair and/or scalp assessments to clients and negotiating agreement on future action require the communication of ideas and information. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Researching appropriate product ingredients and/or commercial products in the workplace range requires information to be collected, analysed and organised. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Sequencing a scalp treatment program requires activities to be planned and organised. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Working with another professional, such as a pharmacist, to develop scalp treatment creams requires teamwork. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Timing and costing a course of future treatments involve the use of mathematical ideas and techniques. (2)

Solving problems
Designing scalp treatments for chronic scalp conditions requires the application of problem solving skills. (2)

Using technology
Recording scalp treatments may require the use of technology. (1)