Whether you've been practising natural medicine for a few months or a few years, pursuing further education will take your career to the next level. After all, it's their insatiable appetite for knowledge that led many natural health professionals to the peak of their careers.
Still couldn't figure out why you should invest the time and money in a new qualification and how will it help your practice? Here below are 4 compelling reasons to extend your natural therapy qualification:
1. Stand out From the Crowd
As more Australians demand for the inclusion of natural medicine in their healthcare plans, the need for healthcare practitioners who specialise in a wide array of complementary medicines has never been greater.
Nobody fails to get the job they want because they're overqualified. But the underqualified individual risks losing their chances because they don't have all of the qualifications required to perform the job. That said, augmenting your skills will boost your credentials and set you apart from the competition.
If you already have a Certificate I, why not progress to a Certificate IV or a diploma? Now, if you happen to have a diploma, undertaking a master's degree or doctorate will give you not only an edge over the competition but also more liberty to expand your practice and even charge higher fees.
2. Increase Your Credibility
It's unfortunate that some people are still skeptical about the merits of complementary medicine. As a result, it's important to hold a qualification from a registered training provider to prove your credibility and put your clients' worries to rest.
Your diploma or certificate on the wall, as well as the additional letters engraved after your name (e.g. ND, DC, DO, DPM, DPT, etc.), will instantly earn the trust and confidence of prospective clients before you can even give them a backgrounder on your career. The higher your qualification level, the greater credibility your practice may have.
3. Enrich Your Knowledge and Skills
There is not a shadow of a doubt that the longer you study a subject, the more proficient and knowledgeable you become. As you progress to higher qualification levels, you can build upon your skills and delve deeper into your chosen modality. For instance, a Master of Chiropractic is a rigorous degree that incorporates a 12-month internship at a clinic, and gets you ready for fully managing a practice.
A Master of Applied Science (Chinese Medicine) is another example of an advanced training program which involves extensive research and the completion of a thesis. As you go deeper into your studies, you're bound to emerge with an enriched understanding of your industry, which will benefit you and your clients.
4. Enhance Association Membership
As a natural therapist, it's wise to join an industry association as a member. This offers a whole host of benefits including continuing professional development opportunities, networking opportunities, access to certain health funds and WorkCover authorities, support and advice, legal advice, referrals, and much more.
The Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA), Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) and International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT), are among the peak bodies representing natural health practitioners. There are several others that were established to support and promote a specific type of modality.
To be eligible for membership, you have to reach a certain level of training or satisfy a set of educational requirements. Although most professional associations offer free student membership that comes with limited benefits, you want to gain full membership and be able to take advantage of free advertising opportunities to promote your practice, as well as secure indemnity insurance at a reduced price.
Depending on the modality you specialise in, you can have access to more benefits if you obtain a higher qualification and hence a higher membership level.
There goes our list of the 4 benefits that natural therapists can reap from undertaking further education and training. More than the monetary rewards, earning advanced qualifications in your area of expertise will boost your credentials and make you indispensable to the whole spectrum of healthcare and complementary medicine.
Feel free to go over the complete list of natural health courses on Natural Therapy Pages and contact the school of your choice for any questions that you may have.
Originally published on Mar 19, 2021
