CPC Guide for EMT's
Continuous Professional Competence (CPC) - FAQs
| |
Q. What is Continuous Professional Competence (CPC)?
Q. What does CPC mean or stand for?
Q, Why does CPC exist?
Q. What is the difference between CPC, CPD and CME?
Q. Will the model of CPC as outlined change?
Q. What does the CPC process for EMTs mean?
Q. Can I maintain my CPC status working outside of Ireland?
Q. When does CPC for EMTs begin?
Q. What are the dates for the yearly CPC cycle?
Q. What is a CPC learning portfolio?
Q. Is CPC for EMTs optional?
Q. Can I remain on the register if I do not fulfil my CPC requirements?
Q. Does CPC apply to all EMTs?
Q. How does CPC work or operate?
Q. How do I accumulate or gather CPC points?
Q. How many CPC points do I need to accumulate or gather?
Q. What makes up the 18 points?
Q. What are the additional requirements for accumulating CPC points?
Q. Can participation at an event such as a seminar or courses be valid for CPC?
Q. How will compliance with CPC be assessed?
Q. If my portfolio hasn't been requested for assessment can I still re-register?
Q. What if I can't meet my CPC requirements due to illness, injury or other circumstances?
Q. What if I have more queries about CPC?
Q. What is Continuous professional Competence (CPC)?
CPC will enable practitioners to update and develop knowledge, skills and attitude thereby supporting professional competent practice. This protects the public interest, meets the requirements of registration and promotes the profession.
(Back to top)
Q. What does CPC mean or stand for?
CPC is an abbreviation for Continuous Professional Competence.
(Back to top)
Q, Why does CPC exist?
In healthcare, advances are continually being made in techniques, therapies, medications and clinical concepts that can improve the quality and safety of care for patients. In recent years the pace of this change is accelerating and so too is the public and patients’ expectation of care standards. In response to this all regulated healthcare professions have initiated systems or regimes that encourage and promote continuous professional learning which promote professional education, development and competency of registered practitioners.
(Back to top)
Q. What is the difference between CPC, CPD and CME?
Different professions use different terminology and terms interchangeably depending on the healthcare location, situation or profession involved. Some of these terms, such as continuous medical education (CME), which relates to medicine, are specific to a profession. To prevent possible confusion and to focus specifically on continuous improvement, PHECC has adopted the term ‘continuous professional competence (CPC)’.
(Back to top)
Q. Will the model of CPC as outlined change?
Yes. This is the second edition of CPC requirements with the first being introduced in 2013 and subsequently updated in 2017. The CPC process is continually being developed and will change so that we end up with a high quality, robust CPC system.
(Back to top)
Q. What does the CPC process for EMTs mean?
It is about:
- Documenting the things you do regularly.
- Encouraging you to reflect on your own clinical practice to enable learning.
- Recording and responding to CPC as a healthcare professional.
- Endorsing CPC as an important part of registration irrespective of whether you are an employee or a volunteer.
- Ensuring that there is a minimum national standard of competence for registered EMTs who can provide quality care to patients.
(Back to top)
Q. Can I maintain my CPC status working outside of Ireland?
Yes, so long as you maintain an appropriate learning portfolio and comply with PHECC CPC requirements you can maintain your CPC status. Registrants must however have an in date Cardiac First Response Advanced and complete CPG upskilling as required.
(Back to top)
Q. When did CPC for EMTs begin?
In November 2013 the first CPC cycle commenced. From then onward, EMTs registered with PHECC had to maintain a record or learning portfolio of their CPC activities.
(Back to top)
Q.What are the dates for the yearly CPC cycle?
EMT CPC commences each year on the 1st of November and end on the 31st of October. This will allow for the assessment process to take place before the re-registration deadline in March.
(Back to top)
Q.What is a CPC learning portfolio?
This is where you keep a current and accurate record of your CPC activities. It can simply be a folder (electronic or physical), in whatever format is most convenient for you, in which you keep certificates or other evidence such as case reviews, important learning points, and so on. We have provided a downloadable template which is available in both PDF and Word formats and strongly advise registrants to use that when collating their CPC.
(Back to top)
Q. Is CPC for EMTs optional?
No, it is compulsory. Section 3.2 of your Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics says that a registrant will ‘participate in ongoing CPD (CPC) requirements of the relevant division of the Register’.
(Back to top)
Q. Can I remain on the register if I do not fulfil my CPC requirements?
If an EMT cannot meet with the CPC requirements of their profession then they may NOT remain on the register. It is the responsibility of the EMT to ensure that the CPC requirements are met.
(Back to top)
Q. Does CPC apply to all EMTs?
All EMTs must meet the same PHECC CPC requirements. Please contact your own organisation for specific organisational requirements that may be required in addition to the PHECC requirements.
(Back to top)
Q. How does CPC work or operate?
EMTs should create and maintain a Learning Portfolio divided into 3 sections;
Section 1 refers to you and your practice statement.
Section 2 refers to your basic requirements which includes evidence of 12 patient contacts; evidence of your CPG status and your CFR-A certificate.
Section 3 refers to your additional requirements which are a total of 18 CPC points (4 CPC points under “Case Studies and/or Reflective Practice and 14 under self-selected options).
(Back to top)
Q. How do I accumulate or gather CPC points?
CPC points are based on the principle that one hour of CPC activities equal 1 CPC point. (See the 2018 EMT CPC Guide for more details).
(Back to top)
Q. How many CPC points do I need to accumulate or gather?
You must build up 18 CPC points per year.
(Back to top)
Q. What makes up the 18 points?
Your 18 CPC points are located in section three, additional requirements. Detailed tables are contained in the CPC guidance book.
(Back to top)
Q. What are the additional requirements for accumulating CPC points?
Reflective practice and/or case studies a minimum of 4 CPC points are required for this requirement.
Self-selected options a minimum of 14 CPC points are required for this requirement.
(Back to top)
Q. Can participation at an event such as a seminar or courses be valid for CPC?
Certification of attendance on its own may not count. A practitioner should also record briefly the content and subject matter of the event along with what they learned and retain this in your Learning Portfolio.
(Back to top)
Q. How will compliance with CPC be assessed?
Assessments will be conducted by trained assessors who are also PHECC registered practitioners at EMT level. Assessments will commence in November of each year and registrants will be notified approximately 4 weeks in advance to allow them time to complete and collate their CPC portfolio.
(Back to top)
Q. If my portfolio hasn't been requested for assessment can I still re-register?
Yes, you will receive the invite to re-register as normal in January of each year.
(Back to top)
Q. What if I can't meet my CPC requirements due to illness injury or other circumstances?
If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation you should contact PHECC to suspend your registration. See page 5 of the 2018 EMT CPC guide for full details.
(Back to top)
Q. What if I have more queries about CPC?
Queries referring to CPC as outlined in the Guide and the FAQs above should be sent to EMT-CPC@phecc.ie. Clarifications and responses to email queries will be made publicly available in this FAQ section.
(Back to top)
|
|
Section 2 are you basic req
Section 2 are you basic req
Section 1 re
Section 1 re