Student Techs doing treatments?

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi all!
I just had my first LHR treatment this afternoon using a LightSheer and was quite happy with the experience - awkward as it was at times.
The tech said I was a perfect candidate with fair skin and dark hair. She was very pleased with the underarm treatment and said it shouldn’t take too many sessions - 6 max. Same with my high cut bikini treatment (sorry…just couldn’t do a brazilian. OUCH!)

Anyways…my question is - would you let a tech-in-training do some or part of your treatment?
The tech I have has 8 years experience and she had a student with her today assisting. The student did not use the laser machine but I believe at some point in the future she might. After all…how do you learn to do something without doing it?
I’m inclined to say forget it - I need the experienced tech.
On the other hand, how do you become an experienced tech without experience?
Has anyone allowed a student to perform laser treatments on them?

#2

I wouldn’t worry too much, yes they can burn you, yes they can miss spots, but with an experienced tech in the room it probably wont be that bad. Unless your paying a lot and the service sucks. Maybe you should voice your opinion infront of the student.

I’m a tech in Miami and I learned by practicing on people who knew before hand that I was a student. I’m assuming, like in my case that students can practice on other students at their laser institute.

#3

knowledge is the big part… the settings, the meds they take, past medical hx, skin disorders, allergies, etc.

but if the experienced laser tech took care of all that then the physical act itself can just cause burns and missed spots (which can be touched up)

ofcourse they can make you go blind, start a fire, and so on… but that would be worst case senario LOL

#4

I’ve been burnt badly in the past by a student after the doctor,thinking she knew what she was doing, had left the room.

My advice if you are new to laser and it begins to hurt just a bit too much stop them! doctor or no doctor in the room.

#5

When I went to electrolysis school there was a BIG sign on the wall. “ALL WORK PERFORMED BY STUDENTS”. When you have a fully trained operator they have more experience and you take less risk. Experience counts. You should NOT have to pay full price if students deliver the work as they are not yet fully trained. The school gets paid because the student pays to get schooled. That is double payment if you get charged.There are no fully accredited laser schools in the USA. Check to see if they have malpractice insurance for lasers by non-medical personnel or you are taking a unnecessary risk. Laser treatments are SURGERY and they should have a license to do this or it is illegal.

#6

The doctor is liable for any damages you sustain. FDA rules state, “the doctor must supervise the use of the laser if the work is done by a non-medical person.”

You cannot supervise from another room or over the phone. Teaching can take place in another room but supervising means to oversee the process. The doc must be there. In any case the one with the highest credentials is liable. If you were burned… did the doctor prescribe any medication for you? are you scarred from this? Where on your body is the scar? How long ago and is it healed? Some places use a pain reliever that helps pain but prevents you from knowing that it is too hot and is burning you.
The single most important part of treatment is the settings. Was the doc a dermatologist? A plastic surgeon? or what? A number of docs want to increase their stream of income and use cosmetics but NEVER TOOK A COURSE in laser treatments. They would seek a specialist for themself but are willing to work on you without any training. This tends to ber more common with gynecologists. In any case it is UNETHICAL.

#7

In th state of Ohio, a physician must see and assess the patient initially, but thereafter, the laser tech takes over and does the work. The physician does not have to be on site after this. A fifty hour course is required. Ohio permits registered nurses, electrologists and physician assistants to do laser hair reduction as long as the initial assessment and evaluation is done by a physician. Continuing education is required to keep their license active. All states have their own set of rules, but that is how things are done here in Ohio.

#8

Harvey, or anyone, this is an interesting thread about this subject. Hope you enjoy!

http://medicalspamd.com/medspa-legal-legislation/post/243244

#9

According to the medical board of CA:

  1. Who may use lasers or intense pulse light devices to remove hair, spider veins and tattoos?

Physicians may use lasers or intense pulse light devices. In addition, physician assistants and registered nurses (not licensed vocational nurses) may perform these treatments under a physician’s supervision. Unlicensed medical assistants, licensed vocational nurses, cosmetologists, electrologists, or estheticians may not legally perform these treatments under any circumstance, nor may registered nurses or physician assistants perform them independently, without supervision.