Careers In Aesthetic Medicine
Embarking on any new career can be a daunting and challenging journey, but it’s certainly possible to succeed in aesthetic medicine with the right know how. Following on from our announcement that our training courses have received nominations for two prestigious cosmetic industry awards, we’ve compiled a small, quick start guide on careers in aesthetic medicine, and why it should be a route you should consider.
Why Aesthetics?
Careers in aesthetic medicine can be incredibly rewarding, and despite being a route which allows medical professionals to draw upon many skills learned during their education, aesthetics is an area of medicine which can often be overlooked. The Medical Aesthetics industry continues grow year on year, (last year by 14%) and with numerous entrepreneurial, confident and highly skilled medical professionals seeking ways to enhance their career, the growth in students enrolling onto further courses in aesthetic medicine is profound.
The aesthetic medicine industry is estimated to be worth in excess of £3.2 billion in the UK alone, and is growing 14% year on year.
So Just What Is Aesthetic Medicine?
The British College of Aesthetic Medicine, a fantastic resource and network for any budding aesthetic practitioner defines aesthetic medicine as a medical speciality, which uses a range of surgical and non surgical procedures performed by registered and licensed professionals to restore, enhance or modify the appearance, physiology or anatomy of utaneous, subcutaneous tissues or associated structures. It’s a mouthful, but important to understand.
Careers in Aesthetic Medicine Offer Great Flexibility
One of the biggest draws of a career in aesthetics is the flexibility the field offers, and by practising a clinic on just one weekend each month it’s possible to it’s possible to obtain revenues of between ~£60 and £200 per hour dependent on which treatments are administered.
The flexibility associated with a career in aesthetic medicine means it’s often possible to practice alongside remaining in the NHS, though those with an entrepreneurial streak may choose to take the plunge into aesthetics as a full time career by running their own clinic.
Career Development and Learning
There can be no denying that medicine is a fantastic field in which to embark upon a career, and the incredible job satisfaction doctors, nurses, dentists and pharmacists receive from a job well done can also be obtained from successful practice in aesthetics. Patients attending clinics are often seeking treatment which they chose to undergo, so patient satisfaction after treatment is more often than not, extremely high.
The global aesthetics industry is set to grow 40% by 2020. Getting involved in what remains a relatively young area of medicine has the potential to pay great dividends in the future, and by obtaining the correct, HEE (Health Education England) compliant training practitioners and aesthetic professionals can ensure they future-proof their career by having their training audited and regulated by in line with government regulations. It’s a fascinating time to be involved in aesthetics, and our full L7 Certificate offers a fantastic chance for medical professionals to get involved. We also offer other types of courses such as chemical peel training and microneedling training which focuses on skin rejuvenation.
But What About Training?
It’s no secret that medical professions require a great deal of training, but by having obtained a Level 6 (equivalent to undergraduate) qualification in either Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing or Pharmacy enrolled students will find our HEE compliant, Ofqual-regualted Level 7 Certificate in Injectables challenging, but achievable. In order to achieve success in any career dedication and hard is required, and success for individuals embarking on careers in aesthetic medicine is no different. Safe and responsible practice is an issue and value close to many of our hearts, yet many aesthetic professionals are practicing on patients and delivering treatments without obtaining regulated or audited qualifications. So what are the options?
Any medical professional wishing to embark upon a career in aesthetics must first complete a foundation training course. Such courses are offered by many providers, and you can find Harley Academy’s very own foundation day training course by following this link.. Upon completion of a foundation day course in aesthetics, you are free to begin practising and delivering treatments to patients subject to obtaining the appropriate insurance. Graduates of our full Ofqual-regulated L7 Certificate are able to secure discounted rates of cosmetic insurance through our partnerships with leading insurance providers.
Once registered to practice, it’s possible to make back the cost of the foundation training days simply by delivering 2-3 botox or filler treatments priced between £200 and £400 each, a lucrative return on your investment. By running between 2 – 4 aesthetics clinics per month many NHS doctors find they are able to double their income.
For further information about a careers in aesthetic medicine, or to find out more about Harley Academy’s aesthetics training courses take a look at the links in our resource section below, or tweet us with the hashtag #askharley and we’ll answer your questions.
Further Reading and Resources
Should You Become an Aesthetic Nurse?
Harley Academy’s Level 7 Certificate in Injectables
Our Foundation Day Training Course
British College of Aesthetic Medicine
British Association of Cosmetic Nurses
All information correct at the time of publication
