Working With a Physician
Fri, 5 Jun 2009
Prove your professionalism and increase client satisfaction by developing a relationship with a local physician.
A more formal and often more productive approach for attracting a referral relationship with a physician takes place after the technician has gained advanced education. When the tech presents proper documentation—such as certificates, diplomas or transcripts—to prove her success in relevant, medically oriented courses, she becomes the appropriately trained technician that Spalding is describing. Proof of background showing experience and education is key when asking a physician to refer her patients to you. Furthermore, elevating your level of knowledge and skills can help you work comfortably with a physician, because a technician must be prepared and capable in order to fully reap the benefits of the relationship.
Techs who are familiar with medical footcare basics understand that seeking advanced training is important. “I found out how much I didn’t know when I took an advanced course,” says Rhadena Farley, CMP, who works for the Houston-based Louetta Foot and Ankle Specialists and Bella Rinova Day Spa. Farley recommends that techs pursue advanced education to show their professionalism and set themselves apart from other techs; physicians will then be more likely to listen to their proposals. She recommends taking courses that focus on medically sound pedicuring techniques. “These courses don’t just discuss how to perform a nice pedicure; they teach anatomy, functions of the skin, indications of health issues, and medical terminology and physiology, and they provide the training needed to work with a physician,” she says.
Farley attended the North American School of Pedicuring (NASP), a program that, when all segments are completed, produces a Bachelor of Science in Podology (a degree recognized in Canada, but not in the United States), and was designated a Certified Master Pedicurist in the course. “I have found that the NASP course provided the knowledge as well as the confidence that I needed for performing advanced paramedical pedicures,” she says. The course showed her that each client’s pedicure is different according to her health issues and needs; what may be safe for one client could potentially harm another. “Recognize and refer” is the mantra offered by the NASP and the IPA, a
professional association for pedicurists. “We don’t train anyone to diagnose conditions—that is illegal for pedicurists
in every state—but we do train them to refer clients in any situation that is beyond their scope of practice,” Arnold says. The IPA course prepares techs to offer more complex, medically sound pedicures, and provides information on working with physicians. Farley, who works two days per week in a podiatric office and two days per week in a spa, says, “I feel this knowledge has distinguished me from other pedicurists and provides real benefits for each individual client, whether a medical or spa client. To have a physician refer patients to you, the physician needs to know that you have advanced education and, most importantly, sterilization training. The physician’s reputation is at stake.”
This article appeared in Nails Pro Magazine and was written by Janet McCormick
