List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for stone massage therapy treatment. | 1.1 Check readiness of treatment area and availability of equipment. 1.2 Select type and a variety of stone sizes. 1.3 Immerse stones in temperature controlled heater. 1.4 Prepare bowl of iced water to lower stone temperature as required. 1.5 Use energy, water and other resources efficiently during preparation and subsequent treatment process. |
2. Establish client objectives. | 2.1 Access and review client treatment plan if available. 2.2 Discuss stone massage requirement and lifestyle factors to identify treatment priorities with client. 2.3 Identify client skin condition, skin disorders and diseases and possible adverse reactions and discuss with client. 2.4 Review client medical history, medications and obtain medical approval prior to treatment as required. 2.5 Identify contraindications to stone massage, and refer client to appropriate professional as required. 2.6 Assess the capacity of stone therapy massage to meet client needs. |
3. Design and recommend stone therapy massage. | 3.1 Design proposed treatment for a single or series of treatments. 3.2 Discuss benefits and potential adverse effects of selected stones and treatment sequence with client. 3.3 Explain recommendations for duration, frequency and treatment costs. 3.4 Modify treatment plan, record updates and obtain client consent. |
4. Apply stones. | 4.1 Prepare client and select size and type of stones to suit degree of adipose tissue and treatment plan. 4.2 Check client temperature tolerance and lower stone temperature as required. 4.3 Remove placement stones and apply massage medium to body. |
5. Apply massage. | 5.1 Position self to minimise fatigue and risk of injury. 5.2 Ensure client comfort and privacy throughout massage. 5.3 Use hot stones to perform gentle effleurage massage sequence on selected body areas. 5.4 Provide body massage with hot stones and use cold stones as required. 5.5 Adapt massage techniques and stone sizes to suit subcutaneous tissue and client relaxation. 5.6 Allow post treatment recovery time in a relaxing environment. |
6. Review treatment and provide post treatment advice | 6.1 Evaluate stone massage treatment with client. 6.2 Manage client expectations of potential outcomes. 6.3 Recommend home care, lifestyle changes, products and future treatments to improve health and relaxation. 6.4 Update client treatment plan and rebook client as required. |
7. Clean treatment work area | 7.1 Remove used linen and clean surfaces, equipment and stones according to organisational policies and procedures. 7.2 Restock equipment and products in preparation for next treatment. 7.3 Dispose of general waste to minimise negative environmental impacts and according to organisational policies and procedures. |
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
communicate, follow and adjust treatment plans to provide six safe and appropriate stone therapy massages for clients of differing height, weight and age
design, record and update treatment plans and records for each client using correct anatomical terminology and specifying details of:
client feedback
contraindications and conditions
outcomes of previous and current treatment
massage details and stones used
post treatment lifestyle and product advice
products used
recommended future treatments
relevant medical history and medication
treatment duration, areas treated and areas not treated
treatment objectives
maintain temperature of stones to suit each client’s temperature tolerance
sequence stone therapy routine to maximise benefits for each client
adapt massage routine to stone therapy and each client needs
present self, according to organisational policy
comply with health and hygiene regulations and requirements.
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
state or territory and local health and hygiene regulations and requirements relevant to providing stone therapy massages
organisational policies and procedures relevant to providing stone therapy massages:
client record management
equipment use and maintenance
incident reporting
linen use and laundry procedures
personal hygiene and presentation
presentation of treatment area
waste disposal
water use minimisation
work health and safety
legal and insurance liabilities and responsibilities regarding stone therapy massages
scope of practice:
when to refer clients to other practitioners
importance of not stating a diagnosis of a contraindication
limitations of stone massage
role of complementary therapist and medical practitioner
factors likely to affect suitability of treatments for client needs:
budgetary and time constraints
outcomes of previous treatments
physical attributes
effects and benefits of:
each type of massage movement and technique
each type of stone
variations in stone temperature
stone placement and sequencing
effects of stone therapy on body systems:
circulatory
integumentary
lymphatic
muscular
nervous
skeletal and articular
common disorders of body systems and their relationship to stone therapy massage
interdependence of body systems and their relationship to a healthy body and skin:
skeletal, muscular and nervous systems and relationship to stone massage
nervous system and its relationship to skin sensations
lymphatic and circulatory systems and their relationship to skin functions, thermoregulation and homeostasis
position of major bones
position and action of superficial muscles
postural and skeletal abnormalities
gross skin anatomy and physiology and differences in skin depending on body location
role of skin in:
homeostasis
protection
sensation
thermoregulation
skin as a sense organ:
process of nerve conduction
stimuli and skin receptors
systems and pathways of sensory and motor neuronal conduction
variations in sensory perception and its relationship to stone therapy massage
history of stone therapy massage
properties of different materials for stones
contraindications that prevent or restrict treatment or require clearance from a medical professional to proceed and relationship to stone therapy massage:
abdominal hernia
asthma
bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections
cancer
heart conditions
loss of skin sensation
low blood pressure
intoxication or drug use
people prone to blood clots
post chemotherapy or radiation
post herpetic neuralgia
post surgery
pregnancy
recent fractures
skin lesions
skin trauma
sunburn
adverse effects to stone therapy massage and appropriate remedial action:
dizziness
headache
nausea
skin irritation
lifestyle factors and benefits of lifestyle changes
sustainable operating procedures for the conservation of product, water and power
effects and benefits of aftercare advice, products and future treatments to maintain client stone therapy massage objectives.
Skills must be demonstrated in a beauty industry or spa environment; this can be:
an industry workplace or
a simulated workplace set up for the purpose of skills assessment, that provides services to paying members of the public.
Assessment must ensure access to:
paying clients, both new and regular, with different stone therapy massage requirements, who have the expectation that the services provided reflect those of a commercial business
hand washing facilities:
basin
hot and cold running water
liquid soap
single use towels or hand dryer
relevant workplace documentation:
blank client cards
organisational policies and procedures relevant to stone therapy massage treatments
equipment instructions
product instructions and safety data sheets.
Assessment must ensure use of:
cleaning and disinfection products and equipment
dry treatment area
individual work station consisting of:
adjustable treatment table with safe working access at both ends and sides
bowl for chilled water
individual electricity supply
trolley or stable surface for product and bowls
information resources such as charts, electronic resources, texts, three-dimensional models and videos for anatomy and physiology and skin
full thermal stone set with a range of shapes and sizes for various body areas
massage oil
thermostatically controlled stone heating unit
treatment towels or linen, or disposable linen
Assessment activities that allow the learner to:
complete stone massage treatments within commercially realistic speed, timing and productivity
demonstrate competency in an environment reflective of real work situations
manage tasks and contingencies in the context of the job role.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors and:
hold a qualification as a beauty or spa therapist
have worked as a beauty or spa therapist for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.