The profession & Titles

THE PROFESSION & TITLES

The Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians (ASDC) is a not-for-profit professional body that represents Dermal Health Professionals. The profession is experiencing rapid growth in numbers nationally, with an increase in qualifications offered around Australia. The title 'Dermal Clinician', was adopted by the first full members of the ASDC in 2001.

Dermal Clinicians are AQF 7 Bachelor Degree qualified. The ASDC is an affiliate member of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA). This recognises the profession as an emerging allied health discipline.

As a professional body, we are working toward self-regulatory status and registration of our members. We are working with other professional bodies and governments to develop industry recognition of professional titles.

The ASDC endorse consistent use of titles based on qualification and scope of practice. This will ensure that consumers and other professionals working in the skin health sector have a better understanding of who is working on their skin and what their scope of practice is.

ASDC Endorsed Titles

Dermal Clinician

Has evidence of successful completion of one of the recognised educational programs from the

FULL MEMBER category.

Meets the AHPA criteria to identify as an allied health professional.

Student Dermal Clinician

Is a student of one of the recognised educational programs from the

FULL MEMBER category.

Students of these programs must use the title Student Dermal Clinician until they have evidence of successful completion and have been accepted for FULL MEMBERSHIP

Dermal Therapist

Has evidence of successful completion of one of the recognised educational programs from the ASSOCIATE MEMBER category.

Student Dermal Therapist

Is a student of one of the recognised educational programs from the ASSOCIATE MEMBER category.

Students of these programs must use the title Student Dermal Clinician until they have evidence of successful completion and have been accepted for ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Dermal Clinicians as Allied Health Professionals

Dermal Clinicians and Therapists provide services for the assessment and management of skin health. In providing skin health services they manage common skin conditions providing non-surgical, therapeutic interventions to assist with acute and chronic skin conditions, disorders and diseases.

The Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians recognises that in providing skin management and health services, providers can have varying education levels and qualifications. This impacts on the scope of practice for skin health professionals as well as the accepted use of professional titles. As providers of health services all of these professionals must adhere to National Codes of Conduct for Non-Registered Health Professionals and are guided by the Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians Code of Ethical Practice and Standards of Practice.

The Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians is an affiliate member of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) who are the professional body that represents and advocates for all allied health in Australia. Affiliate membership recognises our members as an emerging allied health profession.

Dermal Clinicians and Dermal Therapists are not registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA). Dermal Clinicians, like many other allied health professions that are not AHPRA registered and are self regulating adhere to state and federal laws and regulations including but not limited to:

Workplace Health and Safety Laws and Regulations
Consumer Laws
Therapeutic Goods Laws and Regulations
Privacy and Data Protection Laws and Regulations
National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers and Health Complaints Laws
Public Health Orders

FAQ's

Why is the ASDC standardising titles?

At the present time, many titles can used by both registered and un-registered health professionals in the aesthetic sector that are not regulated or protected. This can cause confusion for consumers and fragmentation of the professionals providing skin services within the sector.

Inconsistency in titles can impact on the perceived quality of health professionals and health services.

THE AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF DERMAL CLINICIANS