The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) requires all regulatory health Colleges to administer a mandatory Quality Assurance Program. As defined in the Health Professions Procedural Code being schedule 2 of the RHPA, the program is “to assure the quality of practice of the profession and to promote continuing evaluation, competence and improvement among the members.” [1.(1)] The Quality Assurance Program of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario has three main components: the Self-Assessment Guide and Continuing Professional Development Plan, the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program and the Peer Assisted Review.
Self-Assessment Guide and Continuing Professional Development Plan
Each member of the College is required to undertake a self-review every other year, through the completion of the Self-Assessment Guide and Continuing Professional Development Plan. Members with even registration numbers complete the self assessment process in the even numbered years and those with odd registration numbers do so in the odd numbered years. Members with Certificates Authorizing Supervised Practice or Interim Autonomous Practice are required to complete the Self-Assessment Guide and Continuing Professional Development Plan each year. This requirement also applies to members who have chosen to move to Inactive status as it is anticipated that these members will be returning to Active status. These members are required to take steps to remain current in their areas of competence during their inactive period and to document this in the Self-Assessment Guide and Continuing Professional Development Plan.
Self-Care Plan
As part of self-assessment, it is important for members to ensure that they are taking time to review factors that may contribute to their stress load or in some other way affect their ability to perform professionally. This involves assessing the impact of these factors on their competence and ability to meet professional obligations. It also involves engaging in self-care activities that are sufficient to mitigate the negative impact of any factors identified or take steps to reduce or withdraw from professional activities as appropriate. Given the dynamic nature of such factors, a member’s Self-Care Plan should be reviewed and updated at least as often as the Self-Assessment Guide and Continuing Professional Development Plan are completed.
Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program (CPD)
Each member of the College, except for those members with a Retired Certificate of Registration, are required to satisfy the requirements of the Continuing Professional Development Program. The CPD Program is designed to:
- promote continuing competence and continuing quality improvement among members;
- remedy gaps in knowledge and skills identified in members’ self- assessment;
- address changes in practice environments; and
- incorporate standards of practice and advances in technology
The CPD Program permits members to undertake continuing professional development and continuing education in a variety of ways as best suits their learning styles and needs.
Members with even registration numbers complete the self- assessment process in the even numbered years and those with odd registration numbers do so in the odd numbered years.
Peer Assisted Review
Annually, the College selects a number of members at random to participate in the Peer Assisted Review process. The Peer Assisted Review is an onsite review of a member’s practice conducted by two other members of the College.