Frequently Asked Questions - Laser Training
Q:
Which Surgical Laser Training Course(s) should I choose for my
Staff?
A: A.N.S.I. requires that Laser Safety Training be provided to
virtually everyone that might have occassion to work with or around
lasers. A new requirement starting in 2012 is that ALL STAFF must
have RECURRENT safety training at least ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS.
Several levels of training then should be considered, and our
various courses cover all of these levels. The most basic is the
Surgical Laser Safety Inservice for staff. This meets your both your
initial administrative requirements and is the least expensive way
to meet the once every five year reauirement. It is a short
presentation on safety for all types of lasers. Your nurses or techs that setup and operate
the equipment of course need more training. Our "Laser Techs -
Safety & Operation" is available both online and
included in our hands-on training. This is targeted toward the laser
assistants and team members who work laser cases. We couple this presentation with hands-on
work on your own lasers for our one and two day in-house courses.
Medical Laser Safety Officers require the most training, and this is
available both online and as a two day seminar with Certification
testing.
Physician training and credentialing is
usually a 3 step process involving 1) Basic Laser Science and
Safety 2)Clinical training in that specialty 3) Hands-on work with
lasers and then preceptorship(s) with another physician. Our
"Physician Laser Basic Science and Safety" (1 hr 45 min) online
program can easily meet the first requirement. We also conduct
customized courses for physicians by specialty that would include
the Clinical training and hands-on inanimate lab orientation in that
specialty.
CLICK HERE for a brochure discussing the options for general
Staff Laser Training.
Q: What type of Lasers
do you train on in the Repair Course?
A: If you're asking this question because you want make/model
training on a specific laser - perhaps you should not come to this
course and instead talk to the manufacturer about a technical course
exclusively on your specific unit. Ours is a "vocational training"
type of course for all types of lasers. Its kind of like taking the
automobile mechanics course in a vocational school. You don't learn
make/model specific training - that's what the service manuals are
for. Instead you learn the common maintenance tasks that are common
to all the lasers. Like a car, you learn about engine overhauls,
carburetor rebuilds, starter changes, fuel injector replacements,
oil & filter changes, etc.. You learn these tasks generically for
all cars and then apply the specifics to your make and model using
the service manual for your own specific car (laser) - they're
pretty much similar. What we do cover are all the major CLASSES of
lasers including Solid State systems, Gas laser systems, Liquid Dye
laser systems, and Diode types of systems (This incorporates every
single type of laser made). Once you learn how to work on lasers in
one class then you essentially have all the skills needed to work in
all the lasers in that class - you just need the specific laser
service manuals (which the manufacturer is required to sell to you
by federal law, and we cover this in class). Solid State systems
include Nd:Yag, Ho:Yag, Alexandrite, Ruby, Er:Yag, KTP, and others.
They all involve similar if not identical maintenance issues. Gas
lasers include the ion lasers of Argon and Krypton, CO2 lasers
including sealed tube and flowing gas, and various excimer laser
systems. Dye laser systems include the CW red dye lasers, and the
pulsed dye yellow light lasers used in dermatology. Diode systems
are numerous and the maintenace mostly involves the cooling and
mechanical support systems. If you want a great general "vocational"
course for learning maintenance on all types of lasers, then this is
for you. If you only want to maintain one specific system then
you're probably better off contacting the manufacturer and getting
their model specific training. If you want a good foundation as a
"Laser mechanic" to handle any type of laser system, then this is
for you. BTW - you can learn complete maintenance on any
system eventually through this one course, but if you want Advanced
training on make/model specific lasers then alumni of this course
are eligible for that more specific training from our faculty.
Q: What
levels of Repair can I reasonably expect to perform if I attend the
Repair Course?
A:
Of course you’re not going to be an expert after one week to fix
anything, but you WILL be able to do all the “normal” preventive
maintenance, alignments and front line troubleshooting – like
changing lamps and de-ionized water, fiber alignments, inspections,
power calibrations and optics cleaning and replacements. You should
even be able to rebuild the heads on solid state lasers like
alexandrites, Holmiums and NdYags. You'll be able to replace
most electronic components including power supplies, although
troubleshooting the source of an electronic problem can involve some
more in-depth help from our faculty (faculty backup and help is part
of what we provide after the course) or the manufacturer (from the
ones that are willing to assist). There are some of the more
"complex" lasers that we'd recommend that you just stick to basic
PM's and lamp changing such as multi-head lasers, dye lasers and
some of the more complex KTP lasers. You can eventually build your
skills and knowledge to reliably perform more in-depth work on these
more complex lasers, but you have to learn to walk before you run.
The majority of lasers are pretty straightforward. You'll be able to
do most of the "normal" maintenance on these by yourself, and with a
little "over-the-shoulder" help from our faculty you can even
perform many in-depth repairs on most of these systems. We'll talk
about this in more detail in class to keep you on "safe" ground when
doing laser repairs.
Q: What about
Hands-On Training in a Medical/Surgical facility if we take the
Laser Tech / Laser Safety Online training?
A:
You
have two good options. Most hospitals already have their senior
laser assistants or biomedical engineers who know how to teach the
panel operation and setup of the laser equipment. Combining that
capability with your own people, with this accredited didactic
presentation will meet both requirements for you.
OR—We do offer complete
inhouse training
with
your own lasers.
If you have the people who can teach the “push button” training
on the
lasers
yourself, the
Online training for Laser Techs or Safety Officers
will save you
$ compared to our In-House courses.
If you don't have this capability then our one day In-House program
is for you.
Q:
Questions about
Aesthetic Laser Use - State Licensing, training requirements, Laser
Certifications and Certificates of Laser Training.
A: You'll need to read a short article describing
the differences in Licensing, Training Certificates, and Laser
Certifications.
CLICK HERE for the PDF article - it includes contact information
to Boston MedTech Advisors who can answer State specific licensing
questions.
Q:How
do I obtain Hands-On training with lasers in Aesthetics, if I take
your Online programs or seminars with "introductory" hands-on?
A: Of course you need both in order to safely and effectively
perform procedures. Before you begin working with equipment though
you really need a firm foundation on the concepts that are involved
and the variables you need to control. That's what our Online
programs do for you - very well in fact. When you're ready to do
hands-on you should also realize that lasers are kind of like cars
-- you first learn how to drive and navigate the roads -- when you
pick up a rental car somewhere you must first familiarize yourself
with where all the controls and adjustments are located, but you
already know how to drive. Lasers are kind of the same way. Don't
get too caught up in all the "buttons and knobs". They all work
basically the same way (like driving a car is the same with all
models) but some have variations on the control parameters, and
delivery systems may be slightly different. Learn how to drive a
laser first, then concentrate on the make/model specific features of
your unit. It is important that you receive adequate supervision for
your initial hands-on clinical use of the lasers, and these are some
of the good alternatives for this after your didactic training:
1. Work directly with a more senior
nurse/technician in your own office, or your physician medical
director if they actively perform procedures. If you work in
a medical or aesthetic practice where cases are already performed,
this is the best of all worlds. You get quality academic training
from our programs and then can work one-on-one with a more
experienced person on your own staff working with your own
equipment. This is the best choice.
2. Have one of our faculty come into
your facility to work with you on clinical cases, after you've
completed the academic portions. We'll go through the
"knobology" of how to run your specific equipment (we teach all of
them) and work with you on clients for actual cases to get you
safely started. States vary in their requirements for performance
and supervision of such cases, and in those States requiring a
physician or licensed practitioner for supervision, you'll need to
supply one of your own staff that can meet this requirement, and
we'll teach together.
3. Work with one of the Laser/IPL
manufacturers clinical trainers for initial hands-on training on
their equipment. You can generally arrange this as part of a
purchase of equipment, and many of the companies have excellent
clinical trainers. We would discourage you from taking this as the
initial approach to your training however, because it will be very
narrowly focused on the manufacturers own equipment and
capabilities. This is a good thing AFTER you have a broad foundation
of knowledge in this area, but can frankly be dangerous if its the
only training you receive. We've seen manufacturers say it's OK to
treat dark brown skin with alexandrite lasers, or remove tattoos
with an IPL. IT's NOT!. It's kind of like learning to drive
from your local car dealer - they can teach you how to turn on the
ignition and operate all the features of the car when they sell it
to you, but they don't actually put you in driving school to learn
how to safely navigate the roads and drive in different conditions
to get to where you're going. Some companies are better at this than
others, but the point is that you do not want company based training
as your initial and only training. Get the broad base and big
picture first, then work with the companies to learn to drive their
equipment. This sequence is a good option. This also makes you a
smarter purchaser of laser & IPL products. Take our training first
before you buy equipment though.
4. Arrange a personal prectorship with
another practice. Groups like the
ASLMS post laser
preceptorships up on their website pages (primarly directed toward
physicians). We can also make arrangements for you to work with
someone in their practice and you'll pay that fee directly to them.
We currently work with only a few around the country so you'll have
to travel some. You must have attended either one of our Seminars or
Computer Based Learning programs prior to us arranging such
preceptors. Prices will vary with preceptorships but might range
from $1500 to $2500 per day.
Q: What
you need to know about your Laser Safety Officer and Laser Safety
Program (Surgical or Offices & Aesthetic)
A: You'll need to read a short article regarding the
A.N.S.I. Standards requirements to establish a Laser Safety Program
and appoint a Laser Safety Officer to administer it.
CLICK HERE for the
Website Article - includes resources to help you establish your
program.
Q:What's this about an Annual Laser
Safety Audit, and why do I need one?
A: In order to be in compliance with the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136.3 Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers in
Health Care Facilities, the Laser Safety Officer that administers
the overall safety program is required to periodically conduct a
formal, written audit of that program. The requirement is
periodically "as determined by the LSO", but they recommend it
annually. This is a formal assessment and review of your entire
program including written laser safety policies and procedures,
credentialing requirements, review of incident reports and
inspection of all laser and related equipment. Your own LSO may
perform this, or we do offer this as a consulting service to your
facility. Failure to maintain such written safety audits may have
various implications. The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has federal enforcement capability to levy
large fines against employers who fail to maintain a safe work
environment, and failure to have such periodic safety audits on file
would be evidence of negligence. The Joint Commission reviews the
structure of Medical Laser Safety programs for compliance with ANSI,
and a medical facility could be found deficit in this area with no
audits on file. In any malpractice litigation that may arise from
laser cases, prosecuting attorneys may require documentation of the
formal laser safety program including the periodic audits. Lack of
such documentation could lend credence to claims of negligence
against the facility. The most important reason to conduct periodic
safety audits however is the simple ethical obligation that
employers have to keep their employees safe. The Laser Safety Audit
is a formalized and systematic way to ensure this.
(Click on
Laser Safety Audits for more information and contacts).
Q: Why
are most of your Laser programs approved for Physician Cat II CME,
rather than Cat I CME?
A: Our Laser programs qualify for Category II CME when they are
submitted by the phsician to the ACCME. They do not require
pre-approval of providers of Cat II credits. The reason that we
don't routinely offer Cat I accreditation is the restrictions that
the ACCME puts on organizations in terms of teaching materials that
they can use, pictures shown, and any commercial representatives in
the room. The reasons for eliminating commercial bias in an academic
teaching situation are understandable, but in the case of technology
and procedure intensive areas like laser procedures it's virtually
impossible to meet these requirements without removing most of the
substance from the teaching materials. We are nonprofit and not
associated with companies in any way, but we do use many materials
that companies produce to help with training. ACCME regs will not
even allow us to use a slide showing a procedure if the logo or name
of the company making that device is visible in any way on the slide
- including their name showing on the equipment panels. It's about
impossible to teach a quality laser course without showing any
reference to any type of specific equipment. In addition we
frequently have various manufacturers or used laser suppliers
provide us with equipment for use during the hands-on
demonstrations. ACCME rules will not allow representatives to be in
the room and we can't show names of equipment that we are using
during these sessions. For these reasons we think that the courses
are much better if we include specific names and types of lasers
where appropriate and qualify for the Category II CME's based on our
content and faculty. Our courses are very well commercially balanced
and we receive no support from any of these companies, other than
loaning equipment for use in classes. After all .... one can't
become a famous pianist unless they have the piano, right? You also
can't learn about laser procedures unless you see the specific
equipment and procedures.
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