Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide services and advice to clients requiring hand, foot and nail care.
It requires the ability to recognise relevant contraindications and conditions, to understand the structure and function of hands, feet and nails and the effects of treatments and products, and to select and provide services and advice to meet the objectives of the client. The services and advice can be on an individual basis or form part of a series of services.
This unit applies to workers in beauty and nail salons, and spas. In this environment they make routine service decisions within a defined range but are responsible for the selection and provision of services to clients.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Establish client priorities. | 1.1 Access and review client treatment plan if available. 1.2 Discuss requirements with client to identify priorities. 1.3 Identify conditions and client characteristics relevant to hand and foot services and recommend appropriate services or advice. 1.4 Identify contraindications to nail services and refer client to appropriate professional, as required. 1.5 Design treatment plan, confirm with client and record. |
2. Prepare for nail service. | 2.1 Check readiness of treatment area and availability of equipment. 2.2 Select products, equipment and personal protective equipment. 2.3 Maintain posture to minimise fatigue and risk of injury during treatment. 2.4 Prepare client and self for service. 2.5 Use energy, water, products and other resources efficiently during preparation and subsequent treatment process. |
3. Provide nail service. | 3.1 Sanitise client hands or feet. 3.2 File nails according to treatment plan, minimising damage to natural nail. 3.3 Soak feet and exfoliate hard skin as required. 3.4 Soak nails and treat cuticles as required. 3.5 Massage lower arms and hands or lower legs and feet. 3.6 Apply mask and other specialised products as required. 3.7 Apply nail polish and finishing products. |
4. Review service. | 4.1 Seek client feedback and update treatment plan. 4.2 Provide aftercare advice and recommend products and future services. 4.3 Update treatment plan and rebook as required. |
5. Clean treatment area. | 5.1 Remove used towels and clean surfaces and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures. 5.2 Restock equipment and products in preparation for next treatment. 5.3 Dispose of general waste to minimise negative environmental impacts according to organisational policies and procedures. |
Evidence of Performance
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 manicure and pedicare treatments to clients suitable for the established client treatment objective
design, record and maintain treatment plans and records for each client specifying details of:
after-care advice
areas requiring special treatment
client feedback
colours used
contraindications
nails analysis
products used
required services
treatment duration and sequence
provide manicure and pedicare treatments for each client that demonstrate appropriate selection and application of:
buffing
callous removal
coloured nail varnish application
cuticle care
exfoliation
French polish application
mask
massage hands and feet using different massage movements:
effleurage
petrissage
nail shaping
recognise contraindications listed in Knowledge Evidence and list relevant practitioners for client referral
recognise skin and nail conditions and recommend treating products and home care routines
present self, according to organisational policy
comply with health and hygiene regulations and requirements.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
state or territory and local council health and hygiene regulations and requirements relevant to providing manicure and pedicare services
organisational policies and procedures relevant to the provision of manicure and pedicure services:
client record management
equipment use and maintenance
incident reporting
linen use and laundry procedures
personal hygiene and presentation
presentation of treatment area
waste disposal
work health and safety
scope of practice as it applies to manicure and pedicare services:
when to refer clients to other practitioners
importance of not stating a diagnosis of a contraindication
other practitioners and relationship to nail services:
complementary practitioner
medical practitioner
podiatrist
appearance and gross anatomy of skin surrounding natural nail
anatomy and physiology of nails:
structure, growth, shape, and functions of nails
nail strength and flexibility
factors that affect normal nail growth
effects of diseases on healthy nails
anatomy and physiology of lower arms and hands:
bones:
radius
ulna
carpals
metacarpals
phalanges
muscles:
extensors
flexors
pronators
blood supply
anatomy and physiology of lower legs and feet:
bones:
tibia
fibula
talus
metatarsals
phalanges
muscles:
gastrocnemius
soleus
tibialis anterior
foot muscles
blood supply
skin and nail conditions which modify treatment and their relationship to nail services:
non-contagious hand, foot or nail disorders:
Beau’s lines
blisters
bruised nails
bunions
calluses
circulatory problems
corns
corrugated furrows
dermatitis
discoloured nails
eggshell nails
habit tic
hammer toes
hangnails
heel fissures
koilonychias
leuconychia
onychauxis
onychocryptosis
onycholysis
onychophagy
onychorrhexis
onychotrophia
pterygium
splinter haemorrhage
split or brittle nails
trauma induced nail malformations
contraindications which prevent treatment or require referral to health practitioners and relationship to manicure and pedicare services:
allergic reactions
areas exhibiting loss of tactile sensation
bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections
bruising or swelling
cuts or abrasions
diabetics
recent fractures or sprains
recent operations
specialised nail products properties, chemical components, and their effects on nails and skin:
base coat
cuticle care
drier
exfoliants
hands and feet soaking products
masks
massage mediums
moisturisers
nail hardeners
nail polish removers
nail polishes
quick dry
thinner
top coat
adverse reactions to nail products
pH range of human skin, nails and manicure and pedicare treatment products
sustainable operating procedures for the conservation of product, water and power
aftercare advice, products and future services to maintain hand, foot and nail care.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a nail services environment; this can be:
a beauty industry workplace or
a simulated beauty 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 manicure and pedicure needs, 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 records
organisational policies and procedures relevant to manicure and pedicare services
manufacturer instructions and safety data sheets
texts or online resources that provide information on nail, hand and foot anatomy and physiology, contraindications and disorders.
Assessment must ensure use of:
cleaning and disinfection products
client chair
disposable gloves
equipment:
cuticle pushers
disposable pedi paddles
disposable nail files
manicure and pedicare bowls
nail clippers or scissors
manicure and pedicare products from comprehensive professional range
manicure table and lamp
operator chair
treatment towels, cotton or disposable.
Assessment activities that allow individuals to:
complete manicure and pedicare services 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 beautician, nail technician or beauty therapist
have worked as a beautician, nail technician or beauty therapist for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
Skill | Description |
Oral communication skills to: | use effective questioning and active listening techniques to consult with client, confirm requirements and monitor service outcomes. |
Reading skills to: | interpret and follow manufacturer instructions and safety data sheets for safe use of cleaning and treatment products and equipment. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate product quantities, time and price. |
Technology skills to: | use client software to update client notes, rebook client for future treatment, record stock data and product purchases. |
Sectors
Beauty
Competency Field
Nail Services