Speak Out April 2021

FAQ Re-entry program Q: I do not have the required 1000 hours of practice over the past five years. Do I have to do the Re-entry Program? Yes, if you wish to return to practise and be eligible for Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status. Q: I do not have 1000 hours of practice in the last 15 years. Can I still apply for the Re-entry Program? No, you need to meet the Re-entry program participation requirements of working for a minimum of 1000 hours in the 15 years prior to application or for a minimum of 200 hours within the last 10 years following course completion. The evidence base for speech pathology practice continues to evolve and develop. If you have not practised for more than 15 years you will be required to undertake a new university course in speech pathology to return to speech pathology practice. Q: I have worked in another related field and I do not have the minimum of 1000 hours of speech pathology practice. Can I count my other related work hours? No, for hours to count it needs to be as a speech pathology practitioner, administrator, consultant, educator, researcher or any combination where the position is significantly related to speech pathology. Q: Can I work as a speech pathology assistant while completing my Re-entry Program? Yes, this is also a good opportunity to be involved in a speech pathology environment and network with other speech pathologists

Going on parental leave? Don’t lose your Certified Practising status. If you’ve been a continuous, full member (for at least the last three years), the parental leave policy is available to you. If you match the following criteria you can claim this member benefit when you renew online and it means you do not pay the membership fee for the coming year. • You must have had three years continuous paid full membership (student membership is not counted) directly prior to applying for this benefit. • You have not or will not be working as a speech pathologist for a minimum of six months. • You cannot have more than one-year parental leave benefit in any two consecutive membership periods. Have you been a Certified Practising member with provisional CPSP for at least a year? Ensure you have completed all the requirements to allow you to move from provisional to full CPSP status. Not sure what they are? Go to: Members> Professional Self Regulation (PSR)> New Graduates - Information for Provisional CPSPs

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April 2021 | Speak Out