Speak Out December 2019 V2 DIGITAL EDITION

Professional education

Continuing Professional Development

FAQs Q: Can we earn points for activities that are part of our work role as a speech pathologist? The short answer is that it depends. In general, activities that you would reasonably be expected to perform as part of your role as a speech pathologist would not be considered as continuing professional development. However, there may be work activities that have a professional development component with the intent to extend skills or knowledge. For example, team meetings would not count as continuing professional development (CPD) unless there is a specific focus on professional development. An example might be a talk, presentation or a complex case discussion which extends your learning. Receipt of clinical supervision with a focus on extending competence in speech pathology would certainly count as CPD. However, service improvement activities such as reviewing and updating forms and processes or planning improvements to therapy groups would not. Repeat presentations, lectures or workshops that you deliver would not be counted as CPD unless the professional development component of this activity can be justified. It’s important to reflect on whether an activity is professional development or not before claiming points.

In situations where the work context and expectations are changing it may be timely to reflect on the distinction between CPD and work or practice activity. Ask yourself, Is this professional development or is this a normal (or new normal) part of my job? Q: Can we earn points for professional development where content is not speech pathology specific? Non-speech pathology specific learning can be claimed as professional development where the activities extend your knowledge or skills, relate to your learning goals and are important for your professional practice. Some examples might include: first aid training, infection control, child safe policies, business management, mastering videoconferencing technologies etc. Under the current framework, a minimum of 10 CPD points per membership year must be accrued in activities related to direct speech pathology clinical services. So, although activities that extend professional skills in areas such as business management may attract CPD points, these points would not count towards the 10 CPD points related to clinical practice. Q: What is a PSR extension? A PSR extension allows members a further membership year to accrue the minimum 20 CPD points. Extensions may be granted to members who are going on leave for more than 6 months, have a significant illness or on compassionate grounds. Please note that members cannot be granted an extension two membership years in succession.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is how health practitioners maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise and competence, and develop the personal and professional qualities required throughout their professional lives. (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)

Rosie Miller PSR advisor psr@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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December 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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