The SpringPharm Award for Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner of the Year

I started in my career in Medical Aesthetics in 2007. Starting out as a mobile practitioner and qualifying as an Independent Prescriber from Stirling University in 2008. Once more experienced, I was approached by the larger pharmaceutical companies and began to train on their behalf. I have trained for Allergan, Aestheticare and Galderma.

My training and presenting skills were enhanced through my position as a Country Mentor Trainer and Global Nurse Faculty member for Galderma. These positions have allowed me to teach and present at International and National Conferences alike, leaning from colleagues and honing my skill set.

I opened my first aesthetic clinic in Edinburgh in 2009 and was delighted to be recognised by peers, patients, awarding bodies and the press for continued success and expertise, winning the first of many awards. In 2017 I completed the approved Northumbria University mentoring qualification and I am now a mentor for fellow practitioners undertaking the MSc qualification on the same program at Northumbria University. I have now opened a second clinic in Aberdeen which is growing incredibly well! I am part of the Galderma Global Nurse Faculty (Chair) as well as a program board member (representing the BACN of which I’m a founding board member) of Healthcare Improvement Scotland and also work with Scottish Government to work towards safer standards within aesthetics for the benefit of patients in Scotland.

• I began my aesthetics career intrepidly in 2001 and was one of few nurses at the time. I did so despite having young children at home and lacking the clear career pathways of progression or support that come with an NHS career

• Like many who embarked on the aesthetics pathway at the time I started with a minimal course in toxin and fillers. Upon completion I was now qualified to treat the public. Even today, one day courses exist but I understood early on in order to be safe and professional, practitioners must push themselves further in this emerging specialism with autonomous learning and inter-professional support. This was the reason for my decision to form Private Independent Aesthetic Practitioners Association (PIAPA)

• Starting with just 5 nurses, PIAPA now has 200+ members, nurses, doctors and dentists. It is the handful of associations such as PIAPA, BACN, BCAM BAD etc that have provided a safe supportive forum for medical professionals moving from the security of the NHS to an unregulated, disparate and isolating sector.

• I believe continuous learning is at the core of treating our patients safely and to the best of our ability. My aesthetic career embodies this concept :

- Part of earliest cohort of aesthetic nurses to the complete the V300 prescribing qualification

- Advanced anatomy certification and complication management, (cadaver training which was unheard of for aesthetic nurses at that time)

- Advanced injecting with major product companies

- BSc in Dermatology for Healthcare Professionals

- PGCert in Professional Non-Surgical Aesthetic Practice

• Aesthetic Nurse since 2008
• Face Cosmetic Clinic 2008- 2017 – I then changed business name to       Cliniva in 2017 as part of my rebrand into my new clinic
• Worked alongside AestheticSource – 2015 – Present
• Opened and became Director and Lead Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner of Cliniva Medispa 2017
• Became Director of Cliniva Cosmetic Training - 2017
• Became Director of Dermaplaning Training Courses 2018
• January 2019 – Graduated in in the Post Graduate Diploma In Professional Non-Surgical Practice at Northumbria University
• January 2018 - Became a mentor for the Post Graduate Diploma In Professional Non-Surgical Practice at Northumbria University
• I have been an Aesthetics Nurse since 2008, now 11 years on I am the very ‘PROUD’ owner of Cliniva Medispa a multi-award-winning Clinic which opened in May 2017. I'm also the director of Cliniva Cosmetic Training and Dermaplaning Training Courses.
• Our database has grown since opening having 700 clients in 2017 to 2067 in 2018 to currently being 3064 in the past year. This represents a significant achievement and we continue to grow daily.
• Over the past 4 years I have worked closely with AestheticSource and trained delegates in the North of England on then Neostrata Chemical Peels & Skincare and have recently launched the ‘NEW Dermaplaning Peel to Glow Protocol’.
• I now employ 9 staff members. I have done this with no external funding simply hard work and passion has paid off.
• The clinic and myself have already been highly successful since opening in May 2017. We were highly recommended for Best New Clinic at the Aesthetic Awards 2017. This was only seven months after we opened. We won Best New Clinic at MYFace MYBody awards 2018.

Background

- Left the NHS 2004 

- worked at Surgicare, Lasercare & Harley Street

- 2005 one of the first nurses to gain a BTech in laser  

First Clinic

- first aesthetic nurse in the area

- 2006 opened clinic, Rachel Goddard Aesthetics 

- 2006 started Totally Aesthetics, training to nurses, doctors & dentists

- 2007 gained my Nurse Independent Prescriber qualification

- 2018 started Totally Aesthetics Training for ambassador/KOL work

Consultant training/other roles

2011-2013  Consultant Clinical Specialist for Merz travelling the UK to train their customers in Belotero and Radiesse 

2013-2014 editorial board member of the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing

2014-2015 Consultant trainer for Sinclair on a sessional basis, teaching across the UK on Perfectha & Ellanse 

2013-current  Joined the Allergan Medical Faculty, training nurses, doctors & dentists who are Allergan customers. I carried out the train the trainer for the junior nurses & clinical specialists. Also present at conferences & host live webinars. 

Published case studies/articles

Journal of Aesthetic Nursing

Aesthetics Journal

Awards

Winner of the Aesthetic Nurse of the Year 2016 at the Safety in Beauty Campaign Diamond Awards

Shortlisted finalist for training company (medical) of the year 2017 at the Safety in Beauty Campaign Diamond Awards

Shortlisted finalist for the training company (medical) of the year 2019 at the Safety in Beauty Campaign Diamond Awards 

Presenting at Conferences

- Allergan Botox conference, BACN supergroups, PIAPA, Professional Beauty, Aesthetic Medicine North, MedFx roadshow.

Qualifications

2015 BSc (Hons) Clinical & Professional practice

2018 Pg Diploma Aesthetics Practice

2016 Pg Certificate Clinical Education

I started my career in medical aesthetics in 2006, training with “Cosmetic Courses" a well-known cosmetic training company who are still award winners today. Whilst still working in A & E, I worked part time carrying out skin treatments and laser treatments, and under the guidance of an experienced practitioner I learnt the basics of Toxin and filler.  

Prior to nursing I was a Beauty Therapist, teaching all aspects, including electrolysis, anatomy and physiology and aromatherapy. I have always had a great passion for anatomy and physiology.  

During this time, I achieved a Certificate of Education in Further Education.  

In 2008 I left the NHS and went to work full time for the Harley Medical Group, managing one of their new clinics, carrying out aesthetic treatments and pre and post op care of surgical patients. From here I went onto manage a smaller independent cosmetic/aesthetic clinic in Buckinghamshire.  

In 2012, I started teaching for Cosmetic Courses, teaching basic foundation toxin and fillers. In 2012 I achieved my Prescribing qualification. 

 In 2013 I moved to work full time for Cosmetic Courses and Aurora clinics, combining training and clinical practice. I became lead trainer for Cosmetic courses. 

In 2017, I was honoured to be asked to join the Allergan faculty, I felt this was a recognition of my contribution to the aesthetics industry.  I was also asked to join the board of the BACN,  and have since become the Co-Chair of the BACN Education and Training Committee.  

In 2017, I decided that as for the last decade I had put all of my efforts into working for others I would start to work for myself and

 MJR Aesthetics/Alchemy in Aesthetics was born.  

I qualified in Aesthetic Medicine in September 2014, and, after a period of supervision, set up my own business and worked independently carrying out basic aesthetic treatments. In March 2016, I was fortunate to meet Dr Emma Ravichandran and was invited to spend 6 weeks shadowing her in clinic.

I then studied the Advanced Injectables and Dermal Fillers course at the Aesthetic Training Academy (ATA). This increased my confidence and ability to treat patients and provided me with the knowledge necessary to widen my treatment options.

Following this, I was asked to join Sk:n Clinics for 6 months as a Nurse Prescriber. This allowed me to expand my knowledge further and gain different treatment perspectives. I then took up a part time post in Clinetix where I have worked for the past three years.

Professional achievements in the past 12 months:

• Operate a Saturday clinic to maximize appointment availability for clients
• Gained many new clients through word of mouth and social media
• Assisted with teaching and training at the ATA on ‘Getting started in Aesthetic Medicine’ courses
• Assisting Dr Emma Ravichandran on stage at the BACN conference in London with my role being to field questions.
• Participant in live social media demonstrations where I carried out toxin treatment and discussed the merits of IV Vitamin drip therapy.

Personal achievements in the past 12 months:

• Increasing my confidence levels and undertaking new treatments
• Participating in the BACN conference as an on-stage presenter, and in live social media demonstrations has made me realise that I have made significant progress in developing my skills as a presenter and educator

Since 2014 I have improved and developed my clinical aesthetic skills. Focusing on injectable treatments I have progressed from novice to advanced level procedures including full facial assessments and treatments, utilising a variety of techniques, involving both needles and cannula in all treatable areas of the face including non-surgical rhinoplasty.

I have undertaken a multitude of training opportunities, attend local and national aesthetic conferences and events. Patient safety is very important to me and therefore, alongside good, safe practice, I have self-published ‘A Patient's Guide to Non-Surgical Treatments; Wrinkle Relaxers and Dermal Fillers’ to help inform the public about medical aesthetics and safe practices.

In the last 3 years I have helped form and co-chair the ‘East Yorkshire Aesthetics Professional Network’; a group of local medical practitioners who have occasional meet ups and participate in an on-line forum to provide support, advice, cross-cover in case of unavailability and share educational opportunities.

Most recently I have been involved in mentoring some newer Registered Nurses in the aesthetics field. Until recently this was done informally as part of a supporting role as a prescriber however, I am in the process of formalising this part of my business to offer more structured mentoring and teaching to a very limited number of medical practitioners.

I came into aesthetics whilst working part-time in the NHS as a community nurse in 2015. I have always had an interest in beauty and launched my first organic skincare line in 2012, so it was very much a natural transition for me to combine my formulation skills with medical aesthetic training. I wanted to differentiate myself from other practitioners by offering a very holistic service to my clients – tailored cosmetic injectables with a conservative approach, dermatology consultation and treatment alongside education and tailored skincare regimes, with superb customer care and safety at the helm. Within eighteen months of launching my Kent home clinic, I left the NHS and over the next two years, sourced clinic bases in London’s Harley Street and at two further Kent locations, (Sidcup and West Wickham). Continued education has been a mainstay of my practice in maintaining the best possible service for my clients, and I have completed advanced aesthetics courses and most recently gained a Distinction in a Dermatology diploma with the University of South Wales. Through these advancements I have recently developed the Five Pillars consultation, unique to my clinics where assessment includes diet, lifestyle, stress experiences and relief and skin type alongside traditional, medical analyses.

Elizabeth Rimmer (Dip, BSc, MSc, Independent Nurse Prescriber) is the Founder,
Clinical and Medical Director at London Professional Aesthetics.
Elizabeth is a registered nurse with over 24 years of clinical experience.
Elizabeth completed a Nursing Diploma at the prestigious St Bartholomew’s
School of Nursing and Midwifery (1995) and then went on to study further, initially
to a BSc and then on to achieve a distinction at MSc, qualifying as an Advanced
Nurse Practitioner and Independent and Supplementary Nurse Prescriber. Her
background is working in general practice, where she spent 17 years. This has
provided her with a solid foundation of experience of managing a wide range of
skin problems from acne, rosacea and eczema through to wound healing.
In 2010, Elizabeth established her own aesthetics business, London Professional
Aesthetics. In 2014 LPA opened the doors to their state of the art clinic, designed
around CQC standards, in Old Street. LPA provides a medical skin service
specialising in a range of non- invasive medical skin treatments and medical
skincare products for use at home.
The clinic was registered with Save Face and the Care Quality Commission (the CQC registration undergoing reassessment following a change in registration details).
Elizabeth has been an active member of the BACN and more recently appointed as Brand Ambassador, KOL and trainer for the Wow Facial and Wow Fusion device
Elizabeth been invited to the prestigious Allergan masterclasses every year as taught by Mauricio di Maio and in addition to that attends a variety of educational events every year.

Elizabeth maintains a treatment log to account for all treatments offered and uses this as a base to develop any personal training / educational needs.

• I have worked within the medical aesthetic field as a registered nurse for 9 years. 
• In 2010 I completed an aesthetic training course at Cosmetic Courses for Botulinum Toxin Type A injections and Dermal fillers and undertook active mentorship for 1 year with an advanced nurse practitioner.
• In 2012 I qualified as a Independent Nurse Prescriber from Leicester De Montfort University. 
• In 2012 I volunteered my time to the BACN competency working group; creating an accredited collection of competencies for each aesthetic treatment modality. This was accredited by the Royal College of Nursing. As a result I am a Co-Author of the RCN accredited "BACN Aesthetic Nursing Competency Framework" (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016). 
• In 2013 I attained an advanced certification as a Laser Protection Supervisor having overall responsibility for laser safety, protocols and maintenance of machinery. 
• In 2014 I was awarded “Aesthetic nurse of the year” from the British Journal of Nursing and was also published for my thesis on acne management.
• In 2016 I became a mentor for a registered nurse entering the medical aesthetic field, utilising my own experience of competency driven mentorship and my role in the development of the BACN aesthetic nursing competencies. See supporting evidence testimonial.
• I was appointed as a Board Member for the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses from 2014-2017, helping shape aesthetic nurse training and educational events for members and liason with government and regulatory bodies.

• In 2017 I successfully established my own aesthetic nursing clinic in Oxford called Lumiere MediSpa.

In 2008 I began my career in Aesthetics, training under the best facial aesthetic and laser experts within Harley Street while working at one of the leading Chain’s.I came to find a gap in market and set out to create a clinic that would marry efficacious treatments, safety and patient experience.In 2009 I founded my clinic, The Glasshouse Clinic in Battersea. Delivering injectables alongside laser therapies and advanced skin treatments.In 2011 year I joined Aestheticare as a Clinical Trainer, delivering training sessions on Microneedling and Radiofrequency.In 2014 I joined Skinceuticals as a Key Opinion Leader.In 2017 I expanded my Battersea location, adding a 3rd treatment room to deliver Coolsculpting treatments.In 2018, I opened my 2nd location and I deliver clinic's across both sites while taking an active role in the business management.In 2012 I joined the BACN and was involved in panel talks surrounding nurse led aesthetics practices, legislation within the industry speaking about innovative treatments and my own successes as an inspiration for Nurses wanting to take the leap into Aesthetic’s. In 2013 I stepped away form the board role to focus on my own practice. I have recently re-joined the BACN as a member.In 2012 I joined Allergan as a faculty member and deliver webinars on innovative products, techniques and 10 masterclasses a year.

 I moved into medical aesthetics full time 9 years ago and opened up my own clinic 7 years ago in Ireland. 

I have undertaken several aesthetic training courses over the years from foundation to masterclass. I regularly attend updates, meetings, conferences and training throughout the year.

I write articles for the different journals and I am a featured writer for the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing. I also peer review articles. I have presented internationally on various topics and am regularly quoted in the media on issues such as patient safety within medical aesthetics. Patient Safety is passion and I have set up ‘Campaign for Safer Medical Aesthetic Procedures’ in Ireland to educate the public and to highlight the possible complications and need for regulations. I also liaise with the Department of Health, HIQA, HPRA and the HSE. I have also sat on committees such as the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee and have done a train the trainer for Open Disclosure in Ireland for the Irish Health Service.

I have my own skincare brand with 9 products in the range and I have a monthly skin column in the local newspaper which is also a blog. 

I also train Skin Tech Skin Peels and RRS Mesotherapy for Aesthetic Source and also have my own training academy in Ireland.  I only train doctors, dentists and nurses.

 Platelet Rich Plasma is a speciality and I have written various articles on PRP, presented internationally on PRP and wrote a chapter on Sexual Regeneration using PRP for a new book called PRP: Platelet Rich Plasma The New Frontier in Regenerative and Aesthetic Medicine. I also train doctors and nurses in PRP.

In addition, I am a mentor for medics who have come into aesthetics and who work alone in Ireland. 

- Foundation training in toxin + filler with Taimur Shoaib in 2010

- Worked doing basic toxin + filler from my own room in a hairdressing and beauty salon on evenings and days off my NHS job as a Nurse Practitioner and then Community Matron for several years

- Continued training, introduced advanced techniques and gradually built up regular patients through recommendations and facebook marketing. I was then able to increase  my aesthetic hours and reduce my NHS commitments

- In 2015-2016 I continued my career full time in medical aesthetics combining my own patients and working 3 days per week for Transform in Newcastle 

- In 2016 as I became busier and busier with my own business, I left transform and opened my own full time clinic in South Shields

- The business has continued to grow year on year at a steady rate of 25% annually. I now work 5 full time days per week and have an annual turnover of £250k

- New technology, skincare ranges and techniques have been introduced to my portfolio and I now have an extensive treatment menu

- I continue to invest in continual professional development and train at least 10x per year on average

- My main focus is on patient safety and efficacy of technique and products to ensure the best possible outcome

- I'm currently enjoying being a trainer for 3 leading companies - Teoxane, Merz and PCA Skin

My career in aesthetic medicine started back in 2004 when I established the Younique Clinic in Newry, Co Down. After a few years establishing my patient base, I was able to expand into a larger premise consisting over 2 floors business, which would later become Younique Aesthetics Clinic it is today. By this time, I had acquired the status of Nurse Prescriber and was able to work indecently to provide botulinum toxin type-A treatments to my patients without having to acquire the additional assistance of a medical Prescriber, quickly making a name for myself as an excellent provider of a much-desired service. My experience in running a business and performing clinical treatments has only improved over the past five years, during which my clinic has performed over 20,000 non-surgical treatments.

To remain at the forefront of medical aesthetics, I maintain a strong focus on CPD. This continuous commitment ensures that my patients receive the most up-to-date, effective and safest evidence-based treatments available. In addition to my clinical practice, I have maintained a strong focus on improving industry practice in Northern Ireland. Additionally, as a registered NMC mentor, I offer ongoing advice, support and mentorship to colleagues and new practitioners entering the industry. The clinic also hosts regular training events for industry giants such as Galderma, HA Derma, and Merz.