Essential Functions

The purpose of the essential functions list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation. For students to be successful in the Cosmetology programs, they must be able to perform the following essential functions:

• Ability to Use Senses.
  • Visual: Acuity to identify client's natural color level, accurately measure length of hair, and read fine print on instructions and manufacturers' manuals.
  • Hearing: Ability to hear sounds and emergency signals (with auditory aids or full-time interpreter for the hearing impaired) and to understand a normal speaking voice without direct access to the speaker's face.
  • Smell: Ability to evaluate possible dangers involved in working with chemicals such as permanent waves, relaxers, and color.
  • Tactile: Feel heat/cold or pain and evaluate the possible danger of skin irritations.
• Motor Ability.
  • Physical ability to stand for long periods of time, to position clients in shampoo chairs and styling chairs, to perform minor lifting, and finger dexterity.
  • Ability to multi task.
  • Ability to have manual dexterity to efficiently and safely use equipment, electrical tools and implements, and maneuver other salon equipment while wearing essential safety glasses and/or gloves and/or other necessary required safety gear.
• Ability to Understand Need for a Safe Work Environment.
  • Practical awareness of spills and other potential dangers in the salon/spa, MSDS sheets, and infection control in the salon/spa.
  • Ability to wear necessary safety gear such as safety glasses, gloves, head covering, and lab jackets.
  • Ability to maintain a safe environment at all times as required by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology.
• Ability to Communicate.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to class partners and/or team, instructors, and lab floor clients.
  • Ability to write and perform routine mathematical calculations used in formulations and processing times clearly and correctly.
  • Basic proficiency in technology (computers and peripheral components) as the Cosmetology industry requires.
  • Perform client consultations in a professional manner.
  • Demonstrate interpersonal skills for relationships with clients.
  • Interpret photos of hairstyles to clients' desires.
• Ability to Problem Solve.
  • Intellectual and conceptual ability for measuring, calculating, reasoning, analyzing, and prioritizing daily functions in today's salons and spas.
  • Ability to work in fast paced environment with a sense of urgency without jeopardizing safety.
  • Ability to react and adjust as directed by the instructor(s) during lab or shop instruction or based on customer's needs.
  • Ability to handle client discrepancies.
• Ability to Maintain Emotional Stability.
  • Function safely under stress in today's workplace and adapt to changing staff and client/customer situations.
  • Maintain composure and professionalism at all times in labs and work environment.
• Ability to Perform Practical Outcomes.
  • Function under the practical guidelines of the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology.
  • Perform all salon management duties such as receptionist, dispensary, shop manager, and hair care, skin care, and nail care duties.
  • Demonstrate time management when performing class assignments, completing appointment books, and performing lab duties.
  • Show flexibility with changes in the salon industry.
  • Market salon services.
  • Attend seminars for continuing education within the salon/spa industry.