What is a Dermal Clinician?
Dermal Clinicians are specialists in skin management and non-surgical treatments
and are committed to ethical and evidence-based practice. Dermal health
professionals assist in the facilitation and management of both acute and chronic skin conditions, disorders and diseases. They also attentively focus on public health, skin conditions and education and prevention programs. Dermal Clinicians also assess,
evaluate and manage risks linked with tissue interactions and advanced therapies in
order to guarantee procedures are effective and safe for consumers and patients.
What does a Dermal Clinician’s education involve?
Dermal Clinicians are those who have undertaken an Australian Society of Dermal
Clinicians (ASDC) endorsed bachelor’s degree level of qualification of approximately 3-4 years in length, full time.
Many bodily system have the ability to impact the health of the skin therefore, throughout their education, Dermal health professionals cover an extensive array of subjects
including; skin and wound biology, nutrition, dermatological conditions and their management
and treatment, studies in sciences, such as; laser physics, chemistry, psychology and
biology- particularly anatomy and physiology.
What is a Dermal Clinician’s scope of practice and what can they treat?
Dermal Clinicians promote optimal skin function and integrity through delivering
management and treatments in skin health, disease or damage. Dermal health
professionals use a holistic approach whereby patient education, topical therapies,
therapeutic interventions and clinical procedures may be provided. Dermal Clinicians
undertake comprehensive skin health assessments and detailed patient
consultations that incorporate medical conditions, medications and lifestyle factors to
ensure the provision of effective and safe treatments.
Dermal Clinicians commonly treat the following;
Acne
Rosacea
Psoriasis
Eczema and dermatitis
Xerosis (excessively dry skin)
Hyperkeratosis (thickened skin)
Photo damage (sun damage)
Pigmentary disorders and dyschromia (e.g. uneven pigment, brown spots)
Intrinsic and extrinsic ageing (normal and premature ageing)
Vascular disorders and conditions (e.g. birthmarks, telangiectasia/dilated capillaries, superficial spider veins on the face and body)
Assisting with optimal wound repair for acute and chronic wounds
Scar management and minimisation
Skin management associated with diabetes, arterial or venous insufficiency and disease
Excessive or unwanted pilosity (hair growth)
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Oedema management
Lymphoedema
Localised adiposity (localised fat deposits)
Micro-pigmentation
Tattoo removal
Career outcomes for Dermal Clinicians and where can they be found
working?
A referral is not necessary to see a Dermal Clinician, though many patients will have been referred by other health and medical professionals, such as
Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Endocrinologists, General
Practitioners and Nurses.
Dermal health professionals are independent health practitioners, yet often work
inter-professionally and collaboratively with other specialists and health professionals to ensure patients receive specialist advice, assistance and treatments that will result
in optimal clinical patient outcomes.
Dermal Clinician’s career prospects include:
Working collaboratively alongside;
Plastic Surgeons (surgical, non-surgical, reconstructive and cosmetic)
Dermatologists: Aiding in diagnosing, treating and delivering services and procedures pertaining to skin diseases and conditions
Endocrinologists
General Practitioner’s
Or, independently; as clinical practitioners and allied health professionals in skin cancer clinics: Offering skin checks and early skin cancer detection, in education, training and academia and in research.
References
The Australasian College Of Dermatologists. (2014). Understanding Dermatology. Retrieved from https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/
The Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians. (2001). Industry Information. Retrieved from https://www.dermalclinicians.com.au/
Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.). Information For Patients. Retrieved from https://plasticsurgery.org.au/
Skin Smart Australia. (2015). Skin Checks. Retrieved from https://skinsmartaustralia.com.au/