A Synopsis: Transitioning from “Nail Technician” to “Medical Nail Technician

A technician wishing to become a Medical Nail Technician (MNT) must complete the core courses on www.nailcareacademy.com plus the 40-hour internship. Transitioning from nail technician to practicing MNT is post-certification and is the result of committed activities as taught in the program. NCA supports this transition through available mentoring, a monthly zoom class, a newsletter, and the closed group, Nailcare Academy Forum, on Facebook.

The Medical Nail Technician Certificate-holder is a different professional than a nail technician without this specialty training, and most recognize this difference in themselves after completion of the certifications. Reality is that being a practicing MNT is very different than being “just a nail technician” as they are recognized as specialists, as performing many of the general nail activities differently (though not out of their state’s SOP), or not at all. However, making the transition into the new genre of being a Medical Nail Technician can be stressful for some technicians.

The first “stress” may be during the programs with the information seeming to become overwhelming, but that is easily overcome by rescanning the modules and triggering the awareness that settles softly into memory. (NCA encourages awareness, not memorization.) Also, using the information while working with current clients while attending the programs makes it much easier to retain. Soon, stress will be replaced by knowledge and confidence.

Next, after the ANT and WNT certifications are achieved, a new stress may occur about getting the local internship required for the MNT certificate. Internships (more observations, actually) are new to nail technicians and many times are viewed with uneasiness. But if the technician does what the course says in the Internship Prep Program, this stress soon passes and visiting the practices becomes fun and accomplishes the goals intended, of attaining the internship and introducing the concept of MNT to local podiatrists.

Stepping out to get an internship is the best marketing the potential MNT can do for growth in this new genre. Every podiatrist’s office where the packet is left with the manager opens higher awareness of the MNT education and the MNT’s ability to support the practice and its patients, plus this introduction is fertile ground for growth of the post MNT’s clientele through referrals from the podiatrist to the technician. For that reason, NCA suggests continuing the calls for marketing purposes even if the Internship is acquired during the early visits. Calling on all the relevant practices can be a huge marketing advantage, bringing in new clients.

The “how do I grow in this specialty” stress is first addressed when taking packets to the podiatry offices, but please note, physicians’ offices, such as general practitioners, dermatologists, diabetic specialists, and even rheumatologists need to know about an MNT, also. The technician offers safe pedicure brochures for the offices to give to their clients.  Check out the “Because We Care” brochure in the ANT Materials downloads and the “Safe Pedicures, Better Health” in the MNT Materials downloads; they are edited by the technician to fit their information and brand and then printed on glossy trifold paper on a Laser printer.

Another very fruitful resource for MNT growth is their current clientele. While taking the courses to become an MNT, the technician discusses the benefits of the certifications with their clients and then, after certification looks them in the eye and asks, “Do you have friends or family who are diabetic, have arthritis or even cancer and other chronic illnesses?” Everyone says yes, of course, so then the technician says, “They need to be coming to me. I am now trained to offer them safe pedicures for maintaining their health.” Then, the safety brochures and cards are given to the client to pass to their friends/family. They are offered more cards and brochures later.

The NCA financial goal is for MNTs to achieve a $100,000 per year income by the end of their second year, and many do so with their only marketing being calls on podiatrists and nurturing their current clientele. Of course, many more marketing strategies are available to support a successful transition into the safety specialty, and they are discussed in the after-certification free courses for graduates and in the marketing modules of the programs. Also, if the technician joins the closed Facebook group, Nailcare Academy Forum, many more strategies are discussed among the participants that have proven to work for them as the Forum members support new MNTs along their new pathway.

I am always amazed at the highly obvious changes in the personalities of technicians who become successful NCA-certified MNTs. Their confidence and professionalism have skyrocketed, and I also have seen changes in their posture and composure – they stand tall with pride in their accomplishments. They have moved from stressed to being confident and successful and are now helping new MNTs become successful. (Of course, “successful” means making more money.) It is awesome to hear this when I talk to them, and even more so when I have an opportunity to see them. It makes me very proud of them!