LPN News

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) recently released a practice guideline, Injectable Aesthetic Therapies. Developed in collaboration with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta and the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta, this guideline is meant to inform Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) of their responsibilities related to administering aesthetic injectables.

Read Guideline:

What Does the New Guideline Cover?

The new guideline discusses professional responsibility related to injectable aesthetic therapies. These are therapies performed for the purpose of enhancing, preserving, or altering a client’s appearance. Some examples are:

• neuromodulators (botox),
• dermal fillers, and
• platelet rich plasma (PRP).

Injectable Aesthetic Therapies and LPN Scope of Practice

Administering drugs and other substances by injection is a restricted activity that LPNs are authorized to perform. However, at entry to practice, LPNs do not have the competencies to provide injectable aesthetic therapies. LPNs would need to take additional education before providing this service.

LPNs are responsible for ensuring that the education that they receive reflects industry best practices. This education should include:

• determining indicators for the procedure,
• identifying when reassessment is required, and
• managing complications that arise.

LPNs must also follow the standards laid out in the CLPNA’s regulatory framework. This includes the Code of Ethics for LPNs in Canada, the Standards of Practice for LPNs in Canada, and any applicable guidance documents.

Health Service Versus Personal Service

Performing an injectable aesthetic therapy may be considered a health service, a personal service, or both. The type of service you are providing depends on the purpose of the therapy and the setting in which you are providing it.

What’s a Personal Service?

The primary purpose of a personal service is to enhance, preserve, or alter a person’s appearance. A personal service can be performed on skin, hair, nails, teeth, or another body part.

What’s a Health Service?

In some cases, an aesthetic procedure would be considered a health service. A health service is defined in the Health Professions Act (HPA). It is a service provided to people in order to:

• protect, promote, or maintain their health;
• prevent illness;
• diagnose, treat, or rehabilitate; or
• take care of the health needs of the ill, disabled, injured, or dying.

An aesthetic procedure can also be a health service if it’s performed in:

• an area within an approved hospital, defined in the Hospitals Act;
• a facility accredited under Schedule 21 of the HPA, such as a doctor’s office; or
• a location where a dentist performs dentistry.

Why Do You Need to Know?

You need to know which type of service you are providing because there are different laws and standards for personal services and health services. If you are performing a personal service as an LPN, then you need to follow the Personal Services Regulation and Personal Services Standards as well as the standards in the CLPNA’s regulatory framework.

Professional Responsibilities

LPNs must follow all applicable legislation, regulations, and standards associated with aesthetic nursing. Our new guideline outlines responsibilities around a number of topics, including:

• use of the LPN title,
• liability insurance,
• documentation,
• privacy,
• informed consent,
• conflicts of interest,
• advertising,
• infection prevention and control, and
• medication management.

Need More Guidance?

If you have questions after reviewing our practice guideline, please contact the CLPNA’s Professional Practice Team at practice@clpna.com or through Ask CLPNA. You can reach out by phone at 780-484-8886 or 1-800-661-5877 (toll free in Alberta).