Medical Questions FAQ
Enrolled or Division 2 Nurses can complete additional training in medications; that is hold a schedule 4/8 endorsement (if trained prior to 2009). Legally, this means you can administer cosmetic injections under direct medical supervision. However, EENs are not readily employed purely as injectors in Australian cosmetic medical practices because of the limitations under scope of practice requiring supervision.
AACDS will not prevent EENs from completing unit 3.1 Evaluate Injectable Cosmetic Procedures, but we do advise that it is more suitable for EENs who have an arrangement in place to work under medical supervision.
No. A safe and effective cosmetic injector must have a broad knowledge of both surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities in order to properly select the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Not all patients will be suited to cosmetic injections and most require a multi-treatment approach.
You also need to learn the associated theory including patient assessment, facial anatomy, pharmacology, dilutions, nerve blocks, contraindications and complications management.
The modern cosmetic medical practice requires the nurse to be skilled and knowledgeable in a number of areas, not just injectables. This role will often encompass dermal therapies, theatre assisting, providing consultations, handling enquiries, pre and post-operative care and some aspects of practice management and administration. You must complete Units 1.1 Dermal Science Theory, 1.2CN Analyse the Principles of Cosmetic Nursing before you can enrol into Unit 3.1 Evaluate Injectable Cosmetic Procedures.
In Australia, only Medical Doctors and Registered Nurses that are practicing with a current AHPRA registration are able to administer cosmetic injectables. Enrolled Nurses must hold their medication endorsement, if it is not included in their Diploma.
Cosmetic injections are Schedule 4 medications and the Department of Health/TGA regulations must be adhered to for prescribing, administering and advertising. Cosmetic injectable products can only be prescribed by a Medical Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. There are NO exceptions to this law.
You MUST complete a prerequisite qualification before enrolling in the AACDS Graduate Diploma, however you can enrol in the 52850WA Advanced Diploma of Cosmetic Dermal Science first and then transfer to a Graduate Diploma upon completion of your prerequisite qualification and/or registration with AHPRA.
