Dermatologist Cynthia Weinstein also allegedly performed cosmetic procedures she was not permitted to do, failed to properly inform patients of treatment risks and allowed unqualified staff to draw up medication and perform treatments without proper safety training.
Dr Weinstein faced the first day of her hearing at the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria today.
The board heard that in August 2005, after performing a procedure on a patient, Dr Weinstein failed to correctly dispose of a syringe by placing it on a trolley.
A nurse was then pricked by the syringe. The patient later tested positive to HIV.
Dr Weinstein, who practised in East Melbourne and Armadale, is charged with unprofessional conduct, which could result in her being suspended or her licence being cancelled.
Counsel assisting the board, Fiona McLeod SC, said Dr Weinstein had a cavalier and reckless attitude to the health and safety of her patients and staff.
Since October 2000 her registration conditions have prevented her undertaking cosmetic procedures including skin stitches, fat pad removal, injecting liquid silicone and performing incisions to remove excess skin.
But Ms McLeod said Dr Weinstein had continued to perform such procedures.
Dr Weinstein is arguing such procedures are considered non-surgical and it would be up to the board to determine this.
The hearing was told a procedure she performed in 2005 left a female patient with a disfigured face.
Ms McLeod alleged Dr Weinstein also failed to properly protect a patient's eyes during intense pulsed light treatment and then prescribed medication over the phone without physically examining them.
She also allegedly directed unqualified staff to perform duties such as laser treatments without proper safety training.
Ms McLeod said Dr Weinstein also breached infection control protocols by re-using a spiky roller instrument that caused facial bleeding on different patients, when they should only be used on one person.
A witness, who worked with Dr Weinstein, said staff refused to clean a roller used on a Hepatitis B patient, which was to be used on a 24-year-old man the next day.
The witness said Dr Weinstein then said she would clean it herself.
The hearing was told the doctor also allegedly offered a patient a $3,300 refund if they agreed to withdraw a complaint to the Health Services Commissioner.
Another former employee said Dr Weinstein bullied her and pressured her to lie in her statement to authorities, telling her, "just play dumb".
