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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an aromatherapist. Feel free to use our aromatherapist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an aromatherapist.

 

Who is an Aromatherapist?

The process or concept of aromatherapy has existed for centuries. Ancient cultures in Egypt, India, China, and other places adopted and incorporated aromatic plant components in resins, oils, and balms to treat injuries and lacerations. Also, these natural components and herbs were employed for other medical and religious purposes as well. Aside from the medical implication and effects, aromatic plant treatment was reported to have both psychological and physical benefits on the individual or patient. Information and data attributed the origin of aromatherapy to Persia in the 10^th century although the concept or practice might have been in existence for a long time before this. Also, the term aromatherapy was eventually coined by a French Perfumer in 1937 to mean essential oils distillation treatment after he cured a serious burn to his hand using lavender oil. Nowadays, aromatherapy is used in different parts of the world to treat burns, cuts, and other related ailments.

Now, what is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy has been defined as a holistic and all-inclusive healing treatment approach that uses extracts from natural plants to enhance the health and well-being of individuals or patients. Depending on the location or country, aromatherapy is sometimes referred to as essential oil therapy. Similarly, this form of treatment that promotes emotional and physical health uses essential aromatic oils to improve the health of the mind, body, and spirit respectively. Being an art and science, the field of aromatherapy is gradually being recognized globally by medicine and science.

On the other hand, an Aromatherapist is an individual that uses a range of traditional, complementary, and alternative therapy to treat an ailment. They use essential oils and other aromatic plant compounds in their art. Aromatherapists apply and use the medicinal prowess and antiviral, antifungal, nematicidal, antioxidant, and insecticidal properties of these plants to promote health. They apply such ointments in different ways including inhalation, massage, and topical application. An Aromatherapist is renowned for treating a series of physical conditions, psychological disorders, and illnesses with extracts from trees, flowers, herbs, fruits, or spices. Most Aromatherapists offer their services as complementary healers or back-ups to conventional medical treatments. While improving their client’s emotional wellbeing, the Aromatherapists concurrently relieve everyday stress using essential oils. Though no official or specific licensure standards are documented for Aromatherapists, certain professional groups and bodies that specialize in aromatherapy have developed programs and certificate courses for Aromatherapists. This involves completing a minimum of 50-hours of practical training on inhalation, massage, and topical application for example.

To be a qualified Aromatherapist, an individual must have the knowledge, skill, and ability to use several types of equipment to apply natural oils to patients’ bodies. Examples of the aforementioned equipment used by Aromatherapists include dry evaporators, diffusers, vaporizers, and steamers to mention but a few. Sometimes, the Aromatherapist supplies essential oils or hydrosols that can be inhaled or consumed orally to detoxify, massage, and provide relaxation to customers or patients. Significantly, an Aromatherapist does not necessarily treat a medical condition or offer diagnosis; they merely customize blends of essential oils from aromatic plants to accommodate individual patients for relaxation therapy and aesthetic purposes. Most are employed as masseurs and therapists in spas or medical facilities. Suitable and preferred Aromatherapists are usually compassionate, polite, knowledgeable about therapeutic applications, and have an empathetic temperament. The most successful Aromatherapists are those that can distinguish between the various forms of essential oils, examine their potency, and know how they affect the body. These practitioners mainly source for the history and safety of natural oils as well as the potential side effects of using such aromatic products. In addition, the Aromatherapist finds out the healing abilities of each oil and its therapeutic application procedure.

Furthermore, an Aromatherapist considers the medical history of the client before recommending and applying therapy; they ask a myriad of questions concerning environmental factors that affect the client’s or patient’s health and any pre-existing medical condition(s). This enables the Aromatherapist to suggest the right therapy or regimen that won’t trigger the existing medical condition if any. Similarly, these practitioners consult and agree with the clients on the best possible dosage, drug interactions, application techniques, and the purity of therapeutic oils. After due consultations, the Aromatherapist proceeds and applies the treatment oil on patients via salt baths, inhalation techniques, sprays, and massage oils.

There are different roles, responsibilities, and work environments for Aromatherapists; some work in the education sector to inform, enlighten, and educate others on the importance, virtue, and significance of natural healing. Other Aromatherapists are employed in beauty shops where they apply their knowledge to educate customers and colleagues alike. They handle several fragrant oils and sell essential oil products to customers and encourage them to adopt a natural and healthy healing method. Importantly, an Aromatherapist remains updated on current trends, progress, and advancement in the industry; this enables them to know the best course of treatment to use on patients.

Additionally, these practitioners accommodate the patient’s needs; they evaluate the entire product, determine the ones that work, and replace the ones that stimulate adverse reactions accordingly. This is achieved by regular communication and contact with the clients. In contrast to popular opinion, an Aromatherapist doesn’t need to be a registered medical doctor to practice. However, he/she may choose to pursue certification to learn the best ways of transferring aromatherapy benefits to patients. Working as an Aromatherapist has been reported to be a rewarding career since the ultimate goal of the profession is to help patients feel better.

While providing therapy, the Aromatherapist stimulates specific reactions in patients including muscle relaxation and improved breathing or respiration. A distinct and unique group of Aromatherapists helps clients who experience general challenges or discomfort with daily tasks such as sleeping and motion. Depending on preferences, an Aromatherapist can work in an office or from home where they dedicate a room to be their private clinic. Alternatively, some Aromatherapists travel to offer home service or treatment to patients in their homes, hospices, or hospitals; such appointments last for 40-75 minutes.

                                     

Aromatherapist Job Description

Below are the aromatherapist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an aromatherapist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

The Aromatherapist is expected to use the series of smell and skin absorption to provide therapy to patients. This is aimed at helping clients manage pain, improve sleep quality, reduce stress, agitation, and anxiety, soothe sore joints, and boost immunity. While carrying out specified tasks and duties, the Aromatherapist also helps to treat headaches and migraines, alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, ease the discomforts of labor, improve digestion, fight bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and improve hospice and palliative care. Although it may differ from employer to employer, an Aromatherapist should be able to;

• Undertake and coordinate patient or client consultations and inquiries.
• Plan, discuss, and explain the requirements for treatment to clients or patients.
• Identify and extract appropriate essential oils from aromatic plants.
• Using therapeutic massage, apply oils on the patient and undertake treatment.
• Create blends of oils and use the right mixture, quantity, or dosage.
• Make referrals to specialists, hospitals, and other healthcare practitioners in severe cases.
• Keep confidential, accurate, and precise records of patients.
• Advertise, market, and promote aromatherapy using various mediums such as social media, television, radio, and print media.
• Provide advice and counseling on lifestyle, exercise, and diet.
• Manage and supervise stock levels.
• Stay updated with research, trends, and new development in the field or profession.
• Collate a brief medical history or record of patients before initiating therapy.
• Clearly explain the treatment requirements, plans, and regimen to clients before commencing therapy.
• Due to individual and genetic differences, identify the appropriate treatment for each patient or client.
• Know the history of essential oils, safety precautions, and healing properties.
• Educate the patients and general public on the importance of aromatherapy.
• Recruit, train, and orientate new members of staff.
• Ensure that vaporizers, steamers, and diffusers are cleaned and stored adequately.
• Communicate regularly with clients to gather additional information that might be needed to administer effective therapy.
• Track progress of treatment and identify potential areas for improvement.
• Meet with potential clients or patients to discuss and ascertain their goals for aromatherapy.
• Educate and enlighten clients about the elements and properties of various essential oils and aromatic plants.
• Supervise and monitor the release of essential oils for inhalation by patients.
• Devise a continuous treatment plan or regimen over several sessions.
• Consider environmental factors before recommending and initiating a treatment plan.
• Follow the rules, laws, regulations, and standards of aromatherapy in the location.

 

Qualifications

A qualification is a bit of proof that an individual has had the grit and determination to stick out a long project. It also shows that an individual has applied and accrued all the needed expertise for a position. If you achieve a specified qualification(s) in a career, field, or sector, it shows that you have developed not just the life skills but also the concrete knowledge, certification, and experience you need to get the job. An Aromatherapist is mandated to complete, pass, and tick several qualification boxes to be competent for the position. A breakdown of the qualifications for Aromatherapists includes;

• Aromatherapists are not mandated to possess any degree to practice. However, an Aromatherapist may earn an optional certification which requires at least 50 hours of training and study from a relevant body. This is an advantage especially for individuals who wish to work for aromatherapeutic firms.
• Extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology is desirable; the ideal candidate must know about the elements of botany, chemical blending techniques, the holistic and medical properties of therapy, and methods of essential oils application.
• Experience and certification in health, safety, and environment is a bonus; the candidate must prove that he/she is conversant with safety measures and principles of best practice in the sector.
• A foundation diploma in aromatherapy or other related complementary medicine courses can suffice especially for candidates who want to work in schools and colleges.
• Registration and certification with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council, Federation of Holistic Therapists, or other professional aromatherapy bodies are desirable. Even if you intend to be self-employed, a voluntary registration with professional bodies will demonstrate your expertise and ensure prospective clients are confident in your abilities.
• Experience of working in a medical massage or beauty clinic is another advantage as well as verifiable work experience in the aromatherapeutic industry.

 

Essential Skills for Aromatherapists

Aromatherapists benefit from possessing, harnessing, or honing personal, professional, and business skills. These attributes enable them to cope with the demands of the field. Crucially, some aromatherapy training courses usually help to imbibe certain skills in the individual. If properly nurtured, these skills can help the Aromatherapist to build their customer base. In relation, business skills are essential for record-keeping, client acquisition, and service advertisement. Regardless of where you intend to work, the following skills should be harbored and developed to succeed as an Aromatherapist;

1. Good active listening skills to understand the patients’ needs and preferences.
2. Excellent organizational skills to put things in order.
3. Effective communication skills (written and oral) to provide clear explanations.
4. Maturity to solve the clients’ complaints, grudges, and inquiries.
5. Emotional intelligence and critical-thinking skills.
6. Empathy, humility, and a caring personality.
7. Patience, sensitivity, and physical fitness to give massages and therapy.
8. Analytical skills to methodically approach and analyze clients’ requirements.
9. Attention to detail and specification when blending or mixing essential oils.
10. Proficient record-keeping skills for documentation.
11. Adaptation skills to acclimatize to a different work environment where necessary.

 

How to Become an Aromatherapist

If you are interested in becoming an Aromatherapist, it can be helpful to learn about the steps you can take to enter the field. Discussed below are the steps to take to start a career in aromatherapy;

Determine the level of education you want to complete: While there are few formal education programs or guidelines in aromatherapy, you can refer to the Association for Holistic Aromatherapists to determine the education requirement you need. The association has identified and outlined three levels of education for prospective Aromatherapists; these are

• Level 1 certified Aromatherapist: Here, the candidate must complete 50 hours of college credit in several subjects that cover the basics of aromatherapy and learn the profiles of at least 20 essential oils; as well as five case studies.
• Level 2 certified professional Aromatherapist: Applicants must complete at least 200 hours of college study and training in aromatherapy. Courses focus on the history of aromatherapy, essential oils blending and mixing, and advanced safety precautions.
• Level 3 certified clinical Aromatherapist: The candidate needs to complete a minimum of 300 hours of college study that prepares an Aromatherapist for clinical practice. They must complete at least 20 case studies and learn the profiles of a minimum of 50 essential oils including their properties within a clinical framework.

Get certification: Next, the candidate can apply for the certificate that accompanies their education level. Earning certification requires candidates to pass an examination. After confirmation, the individual must complete continuing education to keep their certification active.

Apply for work as an Aromatherapist: After completing a suitable level of education and receiving adequate certification, you can start looking for jobs in aromatherapy. You can use your certification to open your aromatherapy venture as well. When looking for jobs online, you can use search engines or job search websites that list openings by location and job title.

 

Where to Work

Most Aromatherapists are self-employed working part or full-time from home, clients’ homes, or from their practice. However, an Aromatherapist can also be gainfully employed thus;

• Some work as part of a team of Aromatherapists in a holistic medicine clinic.
• They can also be employed as alternative health practitioners for private practices including specialist and complementary health care clinics and health farms.
• An Aromatherapist can work for fitness centers providing additional therapies such as reflexology and massage.
• Other Aromatherapists are employed by natural health stores and high-end spas.

 

Aromatherapists Salary Scale

Statistics and data revealed that an Aromatherapist earns about £20 to £50 per hour in the United Kingdom depending on the level of experience and employers. Annual income amounts to about £20,000 to £35,000. Relatively, Aromatherapists in the United States of America earn about $47,350 per year.

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