The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association

Transcription

1 The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Continuing Professional Development Program Information Guide and Participant Kit 2015/16 1

2 Introduction The purpose of the AOPA Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program is to provide a structure that enables members to formally document the ways in which they manage and extend their professional skills and knowledge. Designed by AOPA, this program is a framework providing maximum benefit where Orthotist/Prosthetists select their individual learning goals and then undertake their personally planned CPD activities to meet the stated goals. The AOPA CPD program provides recognition and encouragement for the continued participation of AOPA members in high quality professional development. The CPD program will enable members to demonstrate to external stakeholders (such as consumers, employers, government, the community and other professional groups), their commitment to the highest standards of professional competence for Orthotist/Prosthetists. Participation in CPD is compulsory and mandatory for maintaining AOPA membership. The AOPA By-Law 4 provides further detail regarding the rules of the AOPA CPD program. This document provides guidance and clarity to members regarding the CPD program, the requirements and structure. CPD Participation Requirements The AOPA CPD program requires that all members undertake 30 weighted hours of continuing education within the 12 month membership period. Weighted hours are calculated by multiplying the actual hours spent completing the educational activity by the weighting factors set by the CPD committee. AOPA Accredited CPD events will have a pre-determined point allocation and attendance at these events will be logged by the AOPA National Office. AOPA members are responsible for selecting their own ongoing educational requirements and recording their participation in eligible activities in their web-based CPD Activity Tracker. Eligible educational activities refer to activities which: have a clear set of objectives; have a formal or organised structure; require active participation; and extend professional knowledge and skills. 2

3 Requirements for members working part-time If you are working in part-time employment, you are required to meet the full CPD goal for the membership year (i.e. 30 weighted hours of CPD activities). Part-time work does not reduce the need to be current in your knowledge and skills. Requirements for member on Leave of Absence AOPA members who are on Leave of Absence (LOA) from their AOPA membership are required to participate in the CPD program to maintain current educational knowledge and skills. Members may submit a CPD Application for Special Consideration form to the AOPA National Office, prior to the end of the financial year, if they wish to have their CPD requirements reduced while on approved LOA. In these circumstances the CPD committee will determine if a reduction of weighted hours required to complete CPD for that financial year is appropriate. See Special Consideration below for more information. Audit All AOPA members are required to maintain their CPD Tracker and ensure it s completeness at the end of the membership year. Approximately 10% of activity logs will be randomly audited. It is therefore important that participants keep all records of educational activities undertaken. Evidence to substantiate claims may include the following: Log book Certificates of attendance to workshops, conferences, seminars etc Results of courses completed Timetable of courses being attended Copies of journals read Failure to meet CPD point requirements It is every AOPA member s individual responsibility to plan CPD activities to accrue the required points within the annual CPD cycle. Failure to do so will result in the inability to renew membership. 3

4 Special Consideration If you require special consideration from the CPD program due to unforeseen or exceptional circumstances (e.g. Caregiver leave, Personal Medical Disability, Maternity/Parental Leave) or if you are a new member who has joined AOPA after October of the current financial year, you may submit a CPD Application for Special Consideration form to the AOPA National Office as soon as you are aware that you cannot fulfill the CPD requirements (no later than June 30th of that year and no earlier than 12 months in advance). In these circumstances you must outline the reasons for your failure to accrue the required number of points. If your special consideration request extends for a period longer than 12 months you MUST include a CPD plan and timeframe of activities aimed at rebuilding the competencies necessary to reintegrate into the workforce and ensure recency of practice. The CPD committee will review your circumstances and your CPD plan and timeframe and may decide to reduce the number of weighted hours required to successfully complete the CPD program for that year. AOPA is not responsible for late applications for special consideration, which may result in you missing the Early Bird membership renewal rate. The AOPA Continuing Professional Development committee A CPD committee has been established to: implement and oversee the running of the CPD program; complete annual program reviews, including weighting factor allocations and appropriateness of activities; review cases of special or unique circumstances on behalf of the National Office on request; conduct random audits. Complaints / Disputes Any complaints or disputes must be directed to the CPD committee via the AOPA National Office. Members are able to dispute the process of an audit or assessment of their CPD log but not the outcome. 4

5 Continuing Professional Development Weighting Factors Activities must be relevant to the participant's field of practice and must extend their knowledge and skills. The participant must accrue a minimum of 30 weighted hours per year. These weighted hours must be accrued within the set 12-month period. The following table outlines the weighting factors applied to each activity and the maximum number of points able to be claimed. Activity category Unit Weighting factor Maximum per year Formal Education Hours 2 30 AOPA Accredited event AOPA (or professional body) related activity Completion of activity Pre-determined by CPD committee 30 Hours 1 10 Research related activities Hours 1 25 Professional advocacy Hours 1 12 Informal education Hours 1 12 Self-directed learning Hours Mentoring Hours Elaboration of Activity Categories: Formal Education Formal education includes formal face-to-face education and distance learning provided by a tertiary training institution. The education must be relevant to the field of practice of the member and have an assessment of competency. Time recorded may include preparation and follow up time. Examples include: Management courses, Masters or PhD. etc. in which there is an assessment component on conclusion of the education.

6 AOPA Accredited event All Accredited events have been assessed and allocated points by the AOPA CPD committee. The full list of AOPA Accredited events can be seen on the AOPA website ( When you register and attend an AOPA Accredited event the National Office will automatically add the pre-determined points to your CPD Tracker. AOPA (or professional body) related activity Any participation in AOPA or other relevant professional bodies activities, including committees, councils etc. may be recorded in this category. Research related activities This category includes activities where the member undertakes research activities. Sub-categories include: Publication of research Research that has resulted in published articles in journals, books, etc. Technical note or case study Preparation and research for a technical note or case study that is based upon the best available evidence. Teaching or presentation of materials at conferences, workshops or seminars Teaching or presenting material at conferences, workshops, or seminars may be recorded if relevant to the field of practice of the member. Preparation time may be included. The information presented must be based upon the best available evidence. Quality assurance activities Development and implementation of quality assurance practices and guidelines may also be recorded under this category. For example, the development of guidelines to improve the quality or safety in an area relevant to the member s field of practice. Professional Advocacy Activities Activities where members have the opportunity to contribute to, support and/or promote the profession or other areas within relevant fields of practice. Sub-categories include: 6

7 Participation with special interest groups Participation with special interest groups or discussion groups, which use the skills or knowledge gained through the member s field of practice, should be included in this category. Providing education to other disciplines Providing education to other health disciplines about services provided by the member, which aids the understanding of the member s field of practice. This education can be provided in the form of written or presented information. National Representation Representing AOPA or the profession at a state or national level in a formal capacity. Informal education Knowledge or skills gained through informal education. For example, attending a conference relevant to the member s field of practice. Sub-categories include: Attendance at conferences Members may record the time spent attending conferences that are relevant to the field of practice of the member (eg. ISPO). The AOPA Congress should not be recorded in this category as this is an Accredited Event. Attendance at Workshops and Seminars Members may record the time spent attending short courses, workshops and seminars in this category (eg. Non-accredited manufacturer s courses relevant to the profession). Self-directed learning This category relates to member initiated learning which improves knowledge and skills in the relevant field of practice. Sub-categories include: On the job learning On the job learning activities arise when a new treatment, technique or method is studied or applied. For example, when applying a treatment new to a practitioner, the time spent studying, preparing and applying the treatment may be recorded. Product/supplier demonstration or presentation Independent study Independent study includes private reading and study of journals, books, manuals, watching videos or internet based learning. Details of learning should be recorded such as edition and name of journal and article name. 7

8 Mentoring Supporting others within the profession, including: Colleague mentoring Formal mentoring of colleagues may be recorded. Receiving mentoring Formal mentoring from colleagues may be recorded. Student supervision Supervision of Masters of Prosthetics & Orthotics may be recorded. Only direct supervision may be claimed under this category (this may include primary or secondary supervisors who have direct contact with the student). 8