Professional
Authorised is not the same as competent
In brief
Dutch law distinguishes between being authorised and being competent. A doctor is authorised to carry out reserved acts such as injecting, but may only do so while genuinely competent. Competence is not something you obtain and then keep: it is built through supervision, maintained through volume and continuing education, and bounded by being honest about what you do not do.
What the law says
Injecting is a reserved medical act. That means only designated professionals may carry it out independently, and others solely on instruction and under conditions. The underlying thought is that an incompetently performed act can cause harm.
The law adds something important: even someone who is authorised may only perform the act if they may reasonably assume they are competent. Authorisation is a formal status; competence is an actual skill. The two do not automatically coincide.
How competence is built
- Anatomical knowledge of the treatment area, down to muscle course, vascular course and danger zones.
- Knowledge of the product: action, dosing, dilution and storage instructions.
- Practical skill, built under the supervision of an experienced practitioner and not in a one-day course.
- Recognition and management of complications, including the emergency protocol.
- Communication: discussing expectations, informing, and recording consent.
How competence is maintained
Skill decays. Anyone who has not performed an act for six months is less good at it than before. That is why competence also requires a minimum volume, registered continuing education, and peer review in which you discuss your own results and complications.
At Calla that means, concretely, that complications are discussed within the team rather than hidden away. A team in which nobody ever reports a complication is not a safe team; it is a team in which nobody dares to speak.
The limits of your own competence
The hardest part of competence is knowing where it ends. A colleague who does everything does some things not well enough. We deliberately treat a limited number of areas and refer on as soon as a question falls outside them.
That costs turnover and earns trust. For a brand that wants to grow on trust, that is an easy calculation.
What this means for doctors who want to join
We do not ask for years of experience with injectables. We ask for BIG registration, a careful attitude to work, and a willingness to start under supervision if you are new to this field.
What we offer in return: a regular team, scheduled supervision, records in order, and the freedom to say no to a treatment without anyone making an issue of it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between authorised and competent?
Authorised means you may perform a reserved act under Dutch law. Competent means you can actually perform that act well. You may only act when you are both.
May a beautician administer injectables?
No. Injecting is a reserved act that may only be carried out by, or under the responsibility of, an authorised and competent professional.
How does a doctor maintain competence in injectables?
Through sufficient treatment volume, registered continuing education, peer review, and discussing complications within the team.
Written by Dr Emma van Dijk, doctor at Calla Medical. This article sets out our position and is not legal advice.
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