In a global pandemic environment where redundancies are hitting across all industries, the good news is that there is a vast demand for Laser Technicians, particularly in the UAE. It’s no hype. Nowadays becoming a certified Laser Technician equals higher pay and higher job satisfaction, take it from Amalia and Awit, two nurses who have already made this transition.
Behind The Scenes: From Nurses To Laser Technicians
With health authorities regulating this sector with increasing vigilance, clinics are desperately seeking certified and licensed laser technicians. “There is currently an enormous shortage of qualified laser technicians”, stated Servane Collette. Though this may seem alarming, it is actually a valuable opportunity for nurses and aesthetic practitioners to further their careers. Not only does it mean increased job opportunities, but the certified laser technicians now have the ‘ball in their court’. What do I mean by this?
As laser technicians are currently so scarce, clinics are lining up with better and better offers for qualified laser technicians to work in their clinics.
Currently, laser hair removal is tremendously in demand. Patients love it as it is non-invasive, affordable, and the results eventually permanent. However, clinics need more certified laser technician nurses to keep up with this demand. Servane has shared an insight on the salary prospects, “Nurses’ salaries have on average increased by 40% after changing their job to laser technician. On the other hand, aesthetic physician salaries are relatively going down in relative terms since there are already more than needed in the current market; at least in the UAE.”
What Does A Laser Technician Do?
As a laser technician there are a variety of responsibilities that differ based on employers and clinics. However, some tasks you may be looking at are, operating lasers to perform hair reduction and sometimes skin rejuvenation. With an extensive knowledge of the types of devices and the basic way they’re used, important energy and dosimetry concepts, and both treatment safety, you may also assist staff in the operation of the laser and function as the laser safety officer.
Naturally, with all this big responsibility comes a big salary.
First-Hand Accounts On The Job Change From Real Nurses
Now that we are up to date on all the facts, let’s hear some personal accounts from our two featured nurses, Amalia and Awit. Amalia and Awit completed their training and certification with IMA Dubai and are now successful Laser Technician Nurses in Dubai.
What Inspired You To Become A Laser Technician?
“I was initially attracted to get certified as a Laser Technician because of my nurse friends. They had happy clients by being able to offer them laser hair removal treatments in a cosmetic clinic.”, Amalia explains. She soon learnt that there were actually many more benefits that also came with the job. “I have had an increase in clients and job offers from clinics that are in urgent need of certified laser technicians such as myself. I guess I am quite rare and valuable now in my new job change, they all want me!”
Amalia’s story is a somewhat different, but equally as encouraging. “Some colleagues of mine made the change before I did and I heard many great things from them on the benefits of becoming a laser technician. I was definitely intrigued by the higher salary and the advanced new skill set we’d acquire that differentiates us from other nurses who are not laser certified.”
Do You Have Any Tips Or Advice For Those Thinking Of Entering A Laser Technician Career?
“I would tell nurses to get certified as soon as possible. With the opportunities in the market now it is the best time to make the change. I am very fortunate to have made the change when I did,”Awit says.
“I would also say that choosing the right course is vitally important. We both did the course offered by IMA and it has definitely proven itself worthwhile with a perfect mix of theory and hand-on practice. I would highly recommend it to those considering getting certified.”, added Amalia.
What Did You Think Of The Laser Technician Training You Did At IMA?
“In all honestly, I can only say good things.”, began Amalia. “It was quite intense but throughout the course the instructors always made sure we understood everything and were able to execute procedures perfectly before moving on.”
Awit continued with, “ I really enjoyed the course too. I always felt very engaged and captivated by the content we learned. I am proud to have completed my training at IMA, I think that is quite the achievement to say as well.”
How To Get Certified As A Laser Technician
To follow in the footsteps of Amalia and Awit, courses by IMA can help you achieve the success they have. Luckily IMA offers an extensive range of courses and certifications, including a laser technician & therapist training. The completion of this course guarantees a recognized credential in the field of aesthetic laser treatments with IMA’s UAE Approved & US laser certification. It is quite an intensive training but therefore ensures you are trained and ready as quick as possible. “It takes on average three months for a nurse to go through the training requirements with IMA, and update their license with health authorities.”
Thus far, 148 nurses have been trained at IMA in 2019 and up until October 2020, 125 nurses have trained with IMA. Not to mention, “85% of nurse participants successfully found a laser technician job within 6 months of the course completion.”, Servane informed us. With such great statistics, you would be foolish not to make the career change as well!
