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Headlines
- Continuing Competence Program Pilot Study - Update
- Bylaw Review in Progress
- Legislation Updates
- Change in criteria for eligibility to practice in the USA
- Registration Renewal 2006-2007
Continuing Competence Program Pilot Study - Update
The college recently completed a pilot study to solicit feedback from registrants on the first component of its continuing competence program. We were extremely pleased at our response rate of 96 volunteers. Sixty-three registrants completed a self-assessment tool, and based on this exercise of reflecting on the essential competencies in the context of their practice they developed a professional development plan. Participants were also asked to rate the instruction guide and suggest supports the college might provide to assist registrants with continuing competence activities.
We are certainly encouraged by the initial results of the pilot study. Registrants confirmed that the self-assessment process was helpful in guiding reflection on the essential competencies and useful in identifying areas for growth. They also found the overall process relevant and meaningful to their practice. The Continuing Competence Committee is studying the results in detail, and will use the feedback to refine the tools before recommending the final version to the board for registrant distribution.
Bylaw Review in Progress
The provincial legislature passed the Health Professions Amendment Act (Act), S.B.C.2003, c.57 (Bill 62) in October 2003. The new regulations came into force in stages. Some were effective immediately and several amendments were proclaimed in December 2003 and June 2004. Some of the amendments have yet to be proclaimed.
COTBC has monitored the changes to the Act and is now reviewing these and the college bylaws in detail. The bylaws have not been
reviewed or revised since originally approved in February 2000, with the exception of one amendment in April 2001. (This amendment provided for a change to the annual meeting date requirement from May 2001 to November 2001.)
The board recently approved a project that will:
- Ensure our bylaws are in compliance with the amendments, identifying gaps or recommending revisions where required;
- Make recommendations to changes in college bylaws where we now have authority granted in the Act; and
- Consider requesting changes to our regulation where appropriate including a review of reserved acts.
More information will be provided as the project unfolds.
LEGISLATION UPDATES – Changes to the Health Professions Act
Quality Assurance Program to be Required
[Health Professions Act – Section 26.1]
Recent amendments to the Health ‘Professions Act1 will require health regulatory colleges to establish a program of quality assurance. While the college already has a Quality Assurance Committee and has articulated a quality assurance program philosophy and principles, the mandate and role of the committee will change.
The amendment also provides authority for the assessment of professional performance of registrants using assessors appointed by the quality assurance committee. If following the assessment there is a deficiency identified in the manner in which a registrant’s practice is being conducted, the quality assurance committee may recommend practice improvement through training, education, examinations or other remediation activities. As of now, the government has not proclaimed this section to be in force. This provides time for the COTBC to plan for the change, work with other health regulators and research the best approach for our profession.
Also, in response to this amendment, the Health Regulatory Organizations of B.C. partnered to commission a report on quality assurance in health professions regulation. The 2005 report, Quality Assurance in the Regulation of Health Professions in British Columbia: Philosophical Approach, Principles and Assumptions, will be used by B.C. health regulators to guide development of quality assurance programs. The report was also submitted to the Ministry of Health to serve as a potential springboard for discussions on model bylaws and to provide our perspective on the task ahead for regulators.
Self-Assessment Information to be Protected
[Health Professions Act – Section 26.2]
Amendments in this section will provide protection for registrants around the use and disclosure of information provided or gathered as part of the quality assurance program.
Confidentiality of self-assessment
prepared by a registrant for the
purpose of continuing competence
program is protected.
In addition, information or a self-assessment prepared for the purposes of a quality assurance program or continuing competence program may not be received as evidence in a proceeding under the Health Professions Act (such as Inquiry or Discipline) or in a civil proceeding.
Change in criteria for eligibility to practice in the USA
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) announced a change in the eligibility criteria for OTR examination candidates effective December 31, 2006. This change affects Canadian and internationally trained occupational therapists who may be considering writing the U.S. exam for OTR certification to practise in the USA. Candidates applying after January 1, 2007 must have graduated from a post-baccalaureate accredited occupational therapy professional program recognized by NBCOT. Internationally educated occupational therapists who meet current eligibility criteria (approved diploma/baccalaureate degrees) must be approved to take the exam prior to December 31, 2006 and have until December 31, 2007 to become certified as an OTR. Otherwise, individuals will have to meet the new policy requirements. Go to the NBCOT website at www.nbcot.org for more details.
Registration Renewal 2006-2007
Current registration with the College expires on June 30, 2006. We anticipate that Registration renewal forms will be mailed out sometime in May 2006. Completed registration renewal forms, verification of professional liability insurance and the annual fee of $350.00 is due in full, on or before July 1, 2006.
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