Make history by being a member of the first group to become formally educated medical practitioners in cosmetic medicine in Australia, choose a CPCA Diploma in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables.
CPCA Registrar Training Program
Cosmetic Medicine Trainee Program
A trainee program for registered medical practitioners in Australia
Introduction
Australian climate and conditions, guidelines and regulations, and practices involving the lawful administration of products and devices listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), requires a trainee program developed for Australian doctors for Australian patients.
In 2018, development began on the CPCA trainee program, by Australian doctors for Australian doctors and their patients and is now ready for the first tranche of trainees.
Background
In 2016, the College began searching and reviewing international training programs in cosmetic medicine with a view for adaptation for Australian doctors. It was clear even then, that due to Australia’s climate, infinite differences in cultural diversity, the many laws and regulations in Australia, the associated variations of Fitzpatrick skin types and sun damage, none seemed to provide a compatible program. This was particularly the case when comparing the prevailing circumstances in the United Kingdom where there existed a stark, contrasting legal landscape and where solar radiation is one tenth that of Australia. The relevance of a qualification conferred from regions unlike Australia was found to be a major detractor and unlikely to receive worthy recognition.
Cosmetic medicine in Australia is not just about injectables
Any trainee program in cosmetic medicine for Australian consumption requires content that covers all required options and modalities of cosmetic medical treatment, not just the administration of injections. Many short courses run by individuals are available in Australia for the limited uses of selective dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections, however it is not possible to attain the required depth or completeness of content required of a cosmetic physician in the time allowed of any of the topics provided in short term educational programs currently available today.
There is obvious absence of the provision of education to any reasonable degree regarding non-ionising radiation devices such as the many variations and applications of medical lasers, technological variations and parameters of intense pulsed light, use of radio frequency, microwave and ultrasound technologies and their treatment modalities. This is essential as these devices are more commonly used to treat skin conditions common to Australia. Similarly, science and administration of pharmaceuticals known as cosmeceuticals, which are formulated especially for Australian conditions requires essential knowledge for the cosmetic physician. Education of these topics requires knowledge of the applied sciences of cosmetic medicine. Just some examples of these applied sciences include the relationship of quantum physics to laser technologies and other non-laser energy-based mechanisms, the variations in formulations of dermal fillers, as well as the pharmacokinetics and methods of action of the prescription pharmaceuticals, as well as those cosmeceuticals listed within drugs and poisons schedules.
Anatomy is paramount for understanding of cosmetic medicine
Paramount to all these aspects of cosmetic medicine is anatomy. This trainee program lays down all these aspects in detail at a level aimed at base knowledge of the registered medical practitioner.
Regulatory framework in Australia
In 2023 significant changes to Guidelines for registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic medical procedures is set to change significantly following Directives from the State Health Ministers Council. Continuing professional development rules are set to be introduced, requiring all medical practitioners to belong to a ‘CPD Home’. Complexities regarding protection of non-specialist’s titles has also featured strongly under the National Regulation and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), and there is an extremely strong emphasis on cultural safety from the Australian Medical Council (AMC). None of these laws and regulations are included in international courses. Poorly understood complexities that relate to Advertising a regulated health service, and Technology Based Consultations are among the many regulations explored throughout this course that are not covered elsewhere. With a heightened onus beyond that of many other areas of medical practice, cosmetic physicians are required to know and adhere to these laws and guidelines to mitigate the risk of investigation and potential prosecution.
This trainee program explores in-depth the many legislative instruments in terms of what are the most relevant guidelines, scopes of practice and laws in relation to the practice of cosmetic medicine in Australia. The program guides the trainee through example cases for the purpose of risk management, itemising where pitfalls lie to assist trainees mitigate unintended consequences.
Trainee program outline
The trainee program and accreditation
The trainee program consists of two qualifications:
- The Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine (Australian Training Council accredited (52900WA) and compliant with the Australian Qualification Framework at Level 8) and then
- The Graduate Diploma in Cosmetic Medicine (currently under development).
The trainee program is managed and marked by a Registered Training Organisation, which is at arm’s length to the College. The course content and practical workshops (both qualifications) has mostly been written and developed by the CPCA (refer credit references for more details).
The planned timeline for the trainee course is likely to be twelve to eighteen months (self-paced learning of approximately 10 hours per week). Practical workshops throughout each course will be held throughout this time in most state capital cities.
Qualification conferred upon successful trainees
The Niche Education Pty Ltd is the RTO delivering and marking assessments of trainees. At the successful completion of each unit, trainees will be provided an educational digital ‘badge’. This type of award is an approved recognition of completion of an educational program such as this trainee program and can be applied to on-line advertising and marketing as evidence of successful completion of what is known as the process of ‘micro-credentialing’. Micro-credentialing is a recent government initiative applied to finite areas of study, which in this case applies to successful transitioning of individual units of the trainee program.
Ultimate aim of the College for successful trainees
The ultimate aim, at the successful completion of all components of the trainee program is to make application for accreditation of the trainee program as an approved course of study as awarded by the Australian Medical Council. Simultaneously, the aim is also to apply for the trainee program to be accredited by other authorities such as the Australian Qualification Framework. Regardless of this, the trainees who have successful completed the trainee program will be invited to apply for Fellowship of the Cosmetic Physicians College of Australasia joining some of the most awarded and experienced medical practitioners in Australian cosmetic medicine.
Current as of 4th June 2023 – The College is now able to offer interested medical practitioners two options:
Option 1: Preliminary Essentials of Cosmetic Medicine
This is a short introductory course that will enable the practitioner to evaluate if entering into the cosmetic medical profession is definitely for them. Click above link to read more. Any accreditation received as a result of completing this course can be applied, via an RPL (recognised prior learning) assessment, against the same content that forms a part of a unit in our Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine course. Click HERE to read more.
Option 2: Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine
Click HERE to read more.
EXPRESS YOUR INTERESTIntroduction Course – Register Here
Introduction Course – Register Here
Trainee Program – Unit 1 – Now Open for Study
The College is delighted to announce that the Preliminary Essentials of Cosmetic Medicine course portal has now gone live! This is a 6-week online course which can be started at any time, no matter what experience the medical practitioner has in cosmetic medicine. This course is an in depth introduction into the field of cosmetic medicine and the associated regulatory requirements for anyone wanting to practice in this area. It can be treated as a stand alone course, awarded by a digital credential, or it can be an insight into, and a head start on the coming College’s full Trainee Program (2022/2023) or Registrar Training Program (2023). Overall, this Preliminary Essentials of Cosmetic Medicine course was designed as a:
- Non-accredited, stand alone, ONLINE, introductory course, 6 week duration (including assessment) with live support via MS TEAMS meeting application
- Qualifies for digital badge (subject to successful assessment),
- No commitment to continue on to the CPCA Registrar Training Program (RTP),
- Content based on Unit 1 of the future CPCA Registrar Training Program (Pathway to Full Membership &/or Fellowship),
- This unit will qualify as RPL (recognised prior learning) for RTP unit 1 credit, via a separate ‘gap assessment’, once RTP is accredited and open for enrolment.
- The course fee is $990.00 including GST.
For further explanation on how the Trainee Program will be linked into the prospective AQF/Level 8 accredited Registrar Training Program, please watch the recorded information session below. This info session will also provide an overview of the introductory course material and the delivery strategy using the latest e-learning techniques.
The College is pleased to advise that the Registrar Training Program’s development is progressing well. The Education Committee is currently waiting on further feedback from The Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment who have advised us of policy changes with an emphasis on micro-credentialing. The impact of this has brought about a restructuring of a continuous post-graduate Diploma, Level 8, to three (3) separate Certificates instead. Our Committees are currently in the process of making these changes and the Certificate for Cosmetic Medical Injectables is almost ready, having been redefined into a separate module. It is a bit complicated, as we originally had an all-encompassing Patient Assessment, Medico-Legal aspect that was to be part 1 of the Diploma and then the Injectables would follow. These changes will actually make for a better outcome for doctors who do not use non-ionising radiation devices or use cosmeceuticals which are covered in the remaining two (2) Certificates. The final award of Post Graduate Diploma is still under review, given the change in direction by the AQF department, but this will be worked through during the coming months and this is looking like an award provided on the basis of completion of all three (3) Certificates.
Date:
21st July 2022
Time:
8pm AEST / 6pm AWST
The most advanced and comprehensive training course in Cosmetic Medicine
One that complies with the Australian Qualification Framework standard.
The CPCA Registrar Training Program is a unique initiative. The Registrar Training Program will be aligned with Australian vocational training standards, AQF Level 8, delivered and assessed in accordance with Government recognised standards of education, by an accredited Registered Training Organisation, with content provided by the College.
CPCA set out, in its fledgling beginnings, to provide a place where doctors could learn, teach, research and practice cosmetic medicine with the primary goal of maintaining patient safety. The Cosmetic Physicians College of Australia is committed to Best Practice in cosmetic medicine, achieved through arduous study, training and mentorship.
Preliminary Essentials of Cosmetic Medicine
Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables
Entry Requirements
- Current registration with AHPRA as a Medical Practitioner;
- Minimum Postgraduate Year 2 but preferably 5YPG with specialities such as dermatology, ENT, vascular, rheumatology, ophthalmology, plastics, community/GP or emergency.
Blended Delivery Mode
Online theory units are delivered via the AACDS Student Portal, via a link from the CPCA website can be established. Online lectures use the Articulate 360 program to convert MS PowerPoint Presentation to audio eLearning material.
Practical units are delivered and assessed in custom designed training facilities located in Sydney Melbourne and Perth. The training facilities are referred to as Aspire Training Clinics and are specifically established to train students in a range of dermal therapies and injectables.
When training in techniques (eg dissolvable threads) requiring a procedure room setting, Academy Face and Body in Perth and Sydney will be utilised.
Course Duration and Commitment
Graduate Certificate = 6 months flexible blended learning (online and practical), requiring approximately 10 hours of study per week. The Graduate Certificate relates to cosmetic procedures at entry level medical indemnity insurance (referred to as band 1).
Course fees (Estimate)
Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables – $15,000
CPCA Membership
To qualify for consideration for CPCA Fellowship, applicants must hold the Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables plus documented evidence of completion of the required case studies, plus the Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables plus documented evidence of completion of the required case studies.
To quality for consideration for CPCA Full Membership, applicants must hold the Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables or the Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables.
To qualify as a Corresponding CPCA Member, applicants should preferably be enrolled and actively studying the Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables or the Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables.
Diploma in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables
Entry Requirements
- Current registration with AHPRA as a Medical Practitioner;
- Minimum Postgraduate Year 2 but preferably 5YPG with specialities such as dermatology, ENT, vascular, rheumatology, ophthalmology, plastics, community/GP or emergency.
Blended Delivery Mode
Online theory units are delivered via the AACDS Student Portal, via a link from the CPCA website can be established. Online lectures use the Articulate 360 program to convert MS PowerPoint Presentation to audio eLearning material.
Practical units are delivered and assessed in custom designed training facilities located in Sydney Melbourne and Perth. The training facilities are referred to as Aspire Training Clinics and are specifically established to train students in a range of dermal therapies and injectables.
When training in techniques (eg dissolvable threads) requiring a procedure room setting, Academy Face and Body in Perth and Sydney will be utilised.
Course Duration and Commitment
Graduate Diploma = 12 months flexible blended learning (online and practical), requiring approximately 10 hours of study per week. The Graduate Diploma relates to cosmetic procedures at advanced level medical indemnity insurance (referred to as band 2).
Course fees (Estimate)
Diploma in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables – $10,000
CPCA Membership
To qualify for consideration for CPCA Fellowship, applicants must hold the Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables plus documented evidence of completion of the required case studies, plus the Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables plus documented evidence of completion of the required case studies.
To quality for consideration for CPCA Full Membership, applicants must hold the Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables or the Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables.
To qualify as a Corresponding CPCA Member, applicants should preferably be enrolled and actively studying the Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables or the Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Medicine and Injectables.
