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 a 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, position clients in shampoo chairs and styling chairs, perform minor lifting, and possess finger dexterity.
• Ability to multitask.
• 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, SDS 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 and Barbering.

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 a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency without jeopardizing safety.
• Ability to react and adjust as directed by instructors during lab or shop instruction or based on client'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 and Barbering.
• 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.