SpeakOut_Oct2015_FINAL_lo res

association news

membership renewal and psr update

important changes to the PSR program come into effect in 2016 – you need to read this before you renew.

As of 2016, to be able to renew as a Certified Practising Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) member you will need to first complete your PSR Declaration and meet the annual points requirement We know that many of you will feel you have heard this message many times before (via the mail out, emails, Speak Out , National and Events e-News , the PSR webpage, and more!) BUT we need to make sure everyone knows of this change, which is effective as of the 2016 renewals. That is: As of 2016, CPSP status – full and provisional – is a requirement to be able to renew as a Practising or Full-time Postgraduate Student member, and therefore eligibility for Medicare and Private Health fund Provider Number registration, as well as other Practising membership entitlements.

• Fundamental to SPA practising membership is the speech pathologist’s obligation to maintain professional standards and abide by the Association’s Code of Ethics (Speech Pathology Australia, 2010). The Code of Ethics binds each member to “ continually update and extend our professional knowledge and skills through activities such as participating in professional development, and/or engaging the support of a mentor or supervisor ”. • SPA has a commitment to robust self-regulation processes and a strong and clear commitment to quality standards of professional practice. This is in accord with SPA’s previous and current strategic plan. • SPA has a commitment to work towards adopting the regulatory requirements that mirror those required by registered health professions, which include mandatory minimum requirements for continuing professional education. This is in line with the proposed national standards of mandatory continuing professional development for self-regulating health professions. • Stakeholders need an objective measure of a speech pathologist’s commitment to maintaining and extending their skills. • CPSP status is one of the criteria required by international speech pathology associations who are signatories to the Mutual Recognition Agreement when applying for membership of these organisations. What can I do if I’m concerned that I won’t be able to meet the requirements? • Reflect back on the professional learning you have/will undertake in 2015. • Look at the list of PSR activities that can earn points (next page) – it’s not all about going to events. • Did you read journal articles, visit websites, watch webinars, meet regularly with peers, give a talk to carers, take on a student, learn a new technology??? • Further information is available via the SPA website on the Professional Self Regulation (PSR) webpage. • If you are still concerned, please feel free to contact National Office on 1300 368 835 or email office@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

What is the process? When you renew online, the process will be as it was for last year – you will first need to complete the PSR Declaration. • Once you meet the requirements, you can proceed with renewing as a 2016 Certified Practising SPA member. • If you do not meet these requirements you will not be a Certified Practising member. SPA will make contact with you to discuss how you can achieve Certified Practising membership. How does this apply to me? • Practising and Full-time Postgraduate Student members – with your 2016 membership renewal, the triennium structure ceases and an annual program commences. You will need to achieve a minimum of 20 points per annum, across at least two different activity types in order to renew. • 2014 graduates who were 2015 Practising members and Provisional CPSPs in 2015 – You can become a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (with full CPSP status) on meeting requirements (with random audits to occur). • 2015 new graduates in their first year of joining as, or upgrading to, Practising membership can earn Provisional CPSP status. Your member application form includes an agreement to undertake a minimal level of clinical supervision, and professional development, as part of the Professional Self Regulation program, to be conferred with Provisional CPSP status. • Non Practising and Re-entry members – You can participate in PSR and submit points, but you cannot earn Certified status until you transfer to practising membership. Tell me again why this is being introduced… This commitment is based on a number of factors, including the following: • Inherent to speech pathology practice is the speech pathologist’s responsibility to their clients and other stakeholders to undertake “life-long learning”. This ensures their professional knowledge remains current, relevant and evidence-based.

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Speak Out October 2015

Speech Pathology Australia