A clinical esthetician is an esthetic professional who works in medical office rather than a day spa or salon. There are special training programs for anyone who wants to work in this field. All estheticians must be licensed by their state of residence. Different states have different requirements. Upon completion of an educational program you should be prepared to test for the license. Once licensed you can continue your education to maintain or update your skills. This is especially important for anyone in a medical office as the technology is often updated.
You may want to obtain a basic esthetics license then work at a salon or day spa while pursuing your clinical education. There are differences between working in a clinical setting and a salon setting. However there are also many similarities. Estheticians of any kind must be good with people, have sales skills in order to move product and know the latest techniques in skin care. Various job duties may include administering facials, waxing, chemical peels and more. An esthetician in a clinical setting may also be called upon to assist a doctor with various procedures including plastic surgery or injectable fillers.
If you are considering a career in this field you should research the requirements for licensing in your state as well as the schools in your area. School cosmetology programs will likely not offer everything you need for this type of job. Distance learning is popular these days but is impossible when training to be an esthetician because there is so much hands-on training required. Therefore you will need to enroll at a school that offers a classroom setting and combines academics with practical techniques. Any accredited facility will be able to provide the education and training you need to qualify for the state exam and license.
There are plenty of opportunities for a licensed clinical esthetician. You could work for a plastic surgeon, dermatologist or medical spa. Because job search skills are very important most programs offer education and assistance that will help you in this area. You may learn how to write a good resume and present yourself to potential employers in a professional manner. Some schools even assist students with job placement. When searching for employment you can not only use the resources offered by your educational facility but also the Internet to find various opportunities.