NLN Expert Clinician Designation
Advancing Excellence in Lymphatic Care
The National Lymphedema Network aims to inspire clinicians to provide world-class care for people with lymphedema by promoting best practice guidelines and standards of care. To support that mission, the NLN established the NLN Expert Clinician designation in 2021 to help elevate the standard of therapeutic care being provided to patients with lymphatic diseases.
This designation reflects a commitment to advanced clinical skill, sound decision-making, and current best practices in lymphatic treatment. Through mentorship with expert clinicians and live competency-based assessment, the program is designed to recognize clinicians who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and practical ability across multiple areas of care.
We are temporarily pausing applications while we revamp the program to deliver an improved and more impactful experience.
A Competency-Based Professional Designation
The NLN Expert Clinician designation includes mentorship and live assessment across multiple facets of lymphatic treatment. Areas of assessment include, but are not limited to, manual lymph drainage, multi-layered short stretch bandaging, elastic taping, wound care, compression garment decision prescription, body-specific considerations such as head and neck, genital, and breast or chest involvement, pneumatic compression pump use, and fibrosis treatment.
The designation process also includes a written examination to assess functional knowledge related to patient safety and current treatment practice. Topics may include anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system, current surgical procedures for lymphatic disease, contraindications and precautions related to therapeutic interventions, skin care and physical changes, compression, and modalities.
Key Areas of Focus
Clinical Skill
Assessment
Live competency-based evaluation supports practical application across core treatment techniques and body-specific considerations.
Mentorship and Professional Growth
Participants engage with expert clinicians in their fields to strengthen clinical reasoning and treatment approach.
Best Practice
Standards
The designation is grounded in patient safety, current treatment principles, and thoughtful clinical decision-making.
What the Designation Represents
The NLN Expert Clinician designation is intended to support consistency, accountability, and excellence in lymphatic care. It recognizes clinicians who are committed to maintaining strong clinical standards while continuing to grow their knowledge in a field that continues to evolve.
For clinicians pursuing this opportunity, the designation offers a structured way to demonstrate advanced competency and alignment with current best practices. For patients and referring providers, it helps highlight clinicians who have engaged in a rigorous process centered on quality care and professional development.
Advance Your Clinical Practice with the NLN
Take the next step toward the NLN Expert Clinician designation and demonstrate your commitment to advanced lymphatic care, clinical excellence, and best practice standards. Explore the application process and learn how this designation supports continued growth in your professional journey.