Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply, maintain and remove gel nails to meet client needs.
It requires the ability to consult with clients, select suitable products and techniques, and apply gel nail enhancements that include overlays, colour gel, refills, tips, and French. The gel nail enhancement service can be an individual service or form part of a series of services.
This unit applies to beauty therapists and nail technicians who work in beauty and nail salons, and spas. In this environment they may work in a team or autonomously. They have knowledge and skills across a range of nail products and application techniques.
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 Develop, or access and review client treatment plan. 1.2 Discuss treatment requirements with client. 1.3 Identify contraindications to gel nail services and refer client to appropriate professional as required. 1.4 Identify conditions and client characteristics relevant to gel nail services and discuss with client treatment and product effects. 1.5 Conduct patch test as required and record outcomes. 1.6 Design treatment plan, confirm with client and record. |
2. Prepare for gel nail service. | 2.1 Check treatment area, equipment and self. 2.2 Select products, equipment and personal protective equipment. 2.3 Use energy, water and other resources efficiently during preparation and subsequent treatment process. |
3. Remove gel enhancements. | 3.1 Confirm gel removal needs with client. 3.2 Position self to minimise fatigue and risk of injury. 3.3 Buff or soak grown out, damaged, and chipped gel enhancements. 3.4 Complete gel enhancement removal according to client treatment plan. |
4. Apply, refill or repair gel nails. | 4.1 Cleanse and prepare nails according to manufacturer recommendations and treatment plan. 4.2 Apply gel nail products according to manufacturer instructions. 4.3 Adjust application technique and products as required. 4.4 Complete gel enhancements for finger nails or toe nails according to treatment plan |
5. Review service. | 5.1 Seek client feedback, revise, and record treatment plan. 5.2 Advise client of maintenance requirements. 5.3 Recommend aftercare, products, and future services. 5.4 Update treatment plan and rebook client as required. |
6. Clean service area. | 6.1 Remove used towels and clean surfaces and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures. 6.2 Restock equipment and products in preparation for next treatment. 6.3 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 and provide six safe and appropriate quality nail enhancements for clients that demonstrate the following gel nail enhancement techniques:
colour gel
colour gel
French backfills
French gel on tips
French, natural and clear tips
gel removals
overlays
refills
provide maintenance gel nail services for three of these clients that include:
blend regrowth lines
correct side walls of extensions
rebalance stress curves
refine gel enhancements surfaces
repair damaged, chipped or broken gel
remove gel enhancements with minimal damage to natural nails
provide gel nail enhancements with:
structural integrity
smooth surface
suitability for client’s nail shape
design, record and maintain treatment plans and records for each client specifying details of:
adverse reactions
after-care advice
areas requiring special treatment
client feedback
colours used
contraindications
nails analysis
required services
treatment sequence
type of gel enhancement
treatment duration
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 health and hygiene regulations and requirements relevant to providing gel nail enhancements
organisational policies and procedures relevant to providing gel nail enhancements:
client record management
equipment use and maintenance
incident reporting
linen use and laundry procedures
personal hygiene and presentation
presentation of treatment area
safe use of chemicals
waste and hazardous substances
work health and safety
scope of practice as it applies to gel nail enhancements:
when to refer clients to other practitioners
importance of not stating a diagnosis of a contraindication
appearance and gross anatomy of skin and nails
growth, shape, and functions of nails
contraindications which prevent treatment or require referral to health practitioners and relationship to gel nail services:
allergic reactions
bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections
bruising or swelling around nail
contraindications to products used in combination or with other services
damaged natural nails from ineffective removal of enhancements
abnormal skin around nail
appearance of skin and nail disorders and relationship to gel nail enhancements
adverse effects of gel products and how to modify treatment or provide remedial action:
allergy to products
exothermic reactions
injury to natural nail due to poor removal technique
natural nail separation
peeling of product
pseudomonas (bacterial infection)
gel products properties, chemical components, and their effects on natural nails:
coloured gel
dehydrators
gel cleanser
gel removers
multilayer gel
nail adhesive
primer
UV and non-UV gel products
different styles of tips
impact of chemicals in gel nail products and techniques to minimise over-exposure and/or injury
data safety sheet requirements, location and use in salon
sustainable operating procedures for the conservation of product, water and power
aftercare advice, products and future services to maintain gel nail enhancements.
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 gel nail enhancement 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 providing gel nail enhancements
manufacturer instructions and safety data sheets.
Assessment must ensure use of:
cleaning and disinfection products and equipment
client chair
equipment:
brushes for gel application
curing lights
cuticle pushers
files
sculpting forms
tip cutters
gel products from comprehensive professional range:
coloured gel
dehydrator
gel cleanser
multilayer UV gels or base-build top
nail adhesive
primer
UV and non-UV gel products
various styles of tips
hand and nail sanitiser
manicure table, lamp and mats
operator chair
treatment towels, cotton or disposable.
Assessment activities that allow individuals to:
complete gel nail enhancements 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 nail technician or beauty therapist
have worked as a 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