For laser and IPL operators and other staff in Clinics using lasers or Intense Pulsed Light sources

Duration: 4-6 hours

  • Laser radiation characteristics
  • Radiation generation
  • Laser-tissue interaction
  • Eye and skin and exposure
  • Precautions to keep exposure below maximum permitted levels
  • Reflection and absorption hazards
  • Hazards to patient
  • Laser safety management
  • Risk assessment incidental hazards
  • Relevant standards
  • Quality assurance
  • Equipment management
  • Other light sources

This course is intended for laser and IPL operators and other staff in Clinics using lasers or Intense Pulsed Light sources for dental, hair removal, skin toning, tattoo removal and other similar procedures. It is designed both to provide a grounding in the basics of the safe use of lasers, and to satisfy the training requirements of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW), Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and other Local Authorities who regulate laser/IPL use.

The course is based on the recommendations contained in the “Guidance on the safe use of lasers, intense light source systems and LEDs in medical, surgical, dental and aesthetic practices DB2008(03) April 2008”, and will cover the ‘Core of Knowledge for Laser Users’ defined in Appendix C of the Guidance. It will include the topics outlined above.

By concentrating on these aspects the requirements of Standards P2.1 & P3 of the independent Health Care Regulations 2001 will be covered as will some parts of Standard P1.

All ‘in-house’ training courses will be tailored to the particular needs of those concerned. The course lecturer will contact the organiser prior to the course to ascertain what types of laser are used and which procedures are carried out by those attending the course. Please have this information available as this will enable us to provide training that is most relevant to the participants.

At the end of the course participants should be familiar with the hazards of Laser use within a hospital environment and how these hazards are controlled, and will therefore be able to participate fully in operations using lasers. They will also be able to read and understand more clearly the Local Rules provided by the Laser Protection Adviser.

NB This is a laser safety training course and does not address treatment protocols or Clinical Training.

Lasermet Laser Safety Training for Laser Clinics is normally led by Dr. Anna Bass (LPA to cosmetic, aesthetic and dental users of laser and IPL systems CQC, HIW and RQIA adviser).

Dr Anna Bass has been with the Lasermet team since 2007 covering the South and South East regions as the Certificated Laser Protection Adviser (LPA). She has a PhD from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, an MSc from the University of Akron, Ohio and a BSc from the University of Portsmouth (UK). Her Post-Graduate Certificate of Education enables her to skilfully present Lasermet’s Core of Knowledge training courses, taking over the role from Professor Parsons. She is also a member of the British Medical Laser Association and holds an RPA-2000 Certificate of Competence to act as a Medical LPA.