Medical Assistant's using LASERS?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

I have been receiving chiropractic treatments about 3 times weekly for back and leg pain. The chiropractic medical assistants perform all the laser treatments and electrotherapy on my lower back. The only thing the doctor performs is the spinal manipulations. Even though this is not dermatology, it is the same concept with medical assistants using lasers.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

Beautitians and Massage Therapists with training with lazers can use them for hair removal or, like in the case of massage, a tens unit under MD order of course. So I don't see this as a probelm.

As long as they have training, I don't see the big deal if a Doc authorizes it and a nurse or the MD oversees the training and does the annual recerts and what not.

As far as complications from cosmetic treatments...heck, a perm/straightening or dye/bleach job can be dangerous to clients and they are trained for that. People can be allergic to oils, makeup, hairproducts, creams, lotions, and so on...they are typically trained in that as well in school as well as checks by the state. They are held to the OSHA requirements as well...and must have a MSDS sheet on all products in their store or salon (whether that is a home or not).

I have actually been quite suprized at what massage and beautitians know about A/P and client safety and interventions. Many of them have told me horror stories about allergic reactions, or simply older pts or pts with heart conditions having a code under the hair dryer seats. And all that I talked to all had their CPR and knew what to do while getting EMS help! I was quite impressed, but if you think about it...it is also a good idea from a business standpoint!

I would fear the chemicals more than I would the small electric pulse/weak lazer of a hair removal tool...They use to sell electric hair removal kits to the public..they may still...

UPDATE: Yes they sell lazer hair removal and tattoo removal kits and I checked about buying one, they didn't ask for my qualifications at all! So I guess you can buy them without a license...OUCH tattoo removal...now that is scary!!!!!!!

SilentfadesRPA · Jun 21, 2006

I live in NYC --

I spoke and asked the office of professional conduct in regards to your concern as I feel this is very dangerous (and highly unethical especially in regards to the pricing ).

I think they and the BON are great resources -- often folks are afraid of thier power instead of using that power a reliable info source.

From the information I understood ---

There is no allowance of lazer being done by anyone other than a TRAINED -- MD/ PA or NP -- the MD can not train thier assistants to use lazer.

Lazer is SURGERY and not a treatment like the TENS unit or other modalities ie massage or cosmetoloy.

Please consider to call this office and speak to the MD or if he will not listent then the Professional Conduct and reporting or writing to this MD who may be unaware and wrongly thinks he can do this as he is the supervisor -

"One slip for one second will cost a patient a lot more than 200.00!"

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/opmc/faq.htm

cad4296 · Jun 21, 2006

I am also a certified medical assistant (although I have never worked as one) and during my externship (I was in minor emergency) my doctor had me doing all sorts of stuff that wasn't in the scope of my practice.

Johnkc8rak · Jun 21, 2006

I work as a full time ma and i would never want to mess with a laser on a pt. You sure it's a laser like they use in surgery? There are different grade's of laser's also. Maybe a state allow's non md's to use low power one's like they sell for non medical trained like the other poster said. Myself. Not even a nurse would i trust. No md, no laser.

John

pnhopeful · Jun 21, 2006

since MAs are not licensed/registered with the state, i believe it is entirely up to the physician they work under. Many MA'a don't even want the state to "recognize" them so to speak, so as to not limit the duties that MA's can perform.

KayceeLeeRN, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

You sure it's a laser like they use in surgery? There are different grade's of laser's also.

I'm not too sure, I dont really know about lasers myself. All I know is that she works for a dermatolgist and they use lasers for hair removal. I dont think that its that same grade of laser that is used for surgery.

PANurseRN1 · Jun 21, 2006

I dont mean to open up a can of worms....but....
a friend of mine is a certified medical assistant at a dermatologist's office. She was telling me about her job the other day and she said she and the other girls in the office (all MA's) perform laser hair removal on patients. She said that if the patients opts to have the procedure done by an MA, they get $200 off the cost of the procedure. I looked at her funny when she said this...kinda scared looking...and she said, "ohh, we know what we're doing." She has been there about 2 months (no prior experience in dermatology).
I was just wondering if this is a legal practice (out of curiosity, I dont want to report anyone, or rub it in her face). I live in NY, is this within the scope of practice for an MA?

I would be looking for another derm. They probably can do it; MAs can do just about anything under the auspices of the doc's license. That doesn't mean they're compentent and it doesn't mean they're safe. Hint: If the doc is offering a $200 discount for the MAs to do it, that should be a huge red flag.

I'd also make a call to the state medical assn. to ask what their position is on this. Yet another example of minimally trained, undereducated people being given way too much responsibility.