LANA is Important!

A therapist wrapping the patient's arm and hand to obtain better compression.

Introducing LANA

The National Lymphedema Network (NLN) is the professional organization representing patients and lymphedema therapists. This organization has as one of its primary responsibilities, is the ability to police itself and the activities of its professional members.

The NLN met this requirement by creating the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) as a separate entity with the mission of establishing and maintaining national standards by which to evaluate the training and qualifications of the lymphedema therapists.

Eligibility Requirements

As published in the NLN Standards for Lymphedema Therapist Training, a Certified Lymphedema Therapist must meet these standards:

• Be a licensed professional in related healthcare field. This license must be a current and an unrestricted.
• Have at least 135 hours of post graduate Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) training from the same training facility. This training must consist of 1/3 theoretical instruction in the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatics, and 2/3 significant hands on mentoring.

CLT-LANA Testing

In addition to establishing training standards, LANA has created an examination to test a therapist’s mastery of the knowledge considered to be fundamental in the treatment of lymphedema.

Therapists who have met the requirements, and passed the examination, are entitled to use the title CLT-LANA (Certified Lymphedema Therapist-Lymphology Association of North America) with their credentials.

This LANA certificate must be renewed every six years either through reexamination or by documenting continuing education credits.

How Many Hours of Training Does Your Therapist Have?

LANA established 135, or more, hours of postgraduate training to be the standard for lymphedema therapists; however, some therapists, who claim to be qualified, have never received formal education in the treatment of lymphedema. Instead they may have received "on-the-job training" provided by another therapist.

As an informed consumer, it is to your advantage to know that your therapist has completed training through a program that provides at least the minimum of 135 hours. One way to do this is to ask your therapist where he or she trained and how many hours of training this inclued.

Because there is no agency that accredits training programs for lymphedema therapists, training can be of varying length and content. The programs listed below train therapists in the US and Canada. Note that each listing includes information about the number of hours required for completion of the course in that school.

• The Academy of Lymphatic Studies (ACOLS). The course length is 135 hours. In addition, 31 hour Lymphedema Management Seminars are available throughout the year.
• Dr. Vodder School of North America. The course length is 160 hours.
• Föeldi School. This program, which is located in Germany, offers a course length that is between 140 and 170 hours. This training is given over a period of 18 to 22 days.
• Klose Training & Consulting, LLC. The course length is 135 hours given over a 13 day period.
• Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. The course length is 135 hours of instructions given over a 13 day period.
• HEAT Edema-Lymphedema Therapy Training. The course lengths and content vary. The longest course is 120 hours of instruction. Most courses are esthetician training in the use of MLD as a beauty treatment. These courses do not include training in the use of compression for the treatment of lymphedema.
• Coast to Coast School of Lymphedema Management. A series of courses based on the Leduc Lymphedema Management Method for a total of 138 hours of instruction. Those who successfully pass the final examination are awarded the title of “International Certification in Lymphedema Management.”
• A three day course, which does not meet the LANA recommended 135 hours of instruction, is currently being offered in various cities. According to the sponsors, participants leave this course with a "CLT certificate" which is described as standing for "Certificate of Comprehensive Lymphedema Management Therapy." 

Note:

Educational requirements for physical therapists have upgraded in the past several years. Now graduates in this field must have a masters or doctorate degree. This is considered by their professional organiztions to have been sufficient training to treat lymphedema patients.  

Reference

National Lymphedema Network Standards for Lymphedema Therapist Training. These standards will be reviewed again iin 2013.

© LymphNotes.com 2011. This information does not replace the advice of a qualified health care professional.

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Category: Seeking Lymphedema Treatment Updated: 2011-04-06