COLLEGE OF RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS OF ONTARIO Title: Professional Development Program Number: QA-PDP 101 Date originally approved: May 27, 2011 Date(s) revision approved: June 1, 2018 POLICY Section 80.1 of the Health Professions Procedural Code (Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991) stipulates that a Quality Assurance program must, at a minimum, include the following: continuing education or professional development designed to: o promote continuing competence and continuing quality improvement among the members; o promote interprofessional collaboration; o address changes in practice environments, and incorporate standards of practice, advances in technology, changes made to entry-to-practice competencies and other relevant issues; self, peer and practice assessments; and a mechanism for the CRTO to monitor members participation in, and compliance with, the quality assurance program. In compliance with this legislation, the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) Professional Development Program (PDP) consists of the following components: 1. Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment (in specific instances) 2. RelevanT; 3. Portfolio Online for Respiratory Therapists (PORTfolio OM ); and 4. SCERP / Practice Assessment (in specific instances) Together, these components include all minimum legislative requirements as follows: Current PDP Components Professional Development Self-Assessment Peer Assessment Practice Assessment Launch RT RelevanT PORTfolio SCERP/Practice Assessment This policy outlines each one of these PDP assessment processes. In addition, Other Relevant PDP Information is provided in this policy on Notification of PDP Requirements, Referrals from the Registration Committee, French Language Services, Late Submissions & Non-Compliance of PDP Requirements.
Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment WHO All New Members must complete the Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment within three (3) months of registration. Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment is designed to assess members knowledge, skill and judgment. New Members include the following: Recent graduates from approved Respiratory Therapy programs Respiratory Therapists who were previously registered and have been reinstated Respiratory Therapists who have applied to the CRTO under labour mobility provisions Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHP) who have been granted a certificate of Registration WHEN & HOW Once the initial registration process is complete, Members will be notified that they are required to complete the Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment, and will be given a specific 30-day period in which to complete the assessment. Deferrals for the Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment will only be granted by the QAC in extenuating circumstances. More information on the deferral process is available in the PDP Deferral Policy. The Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment must be completed and submitted to the CRTO using the PORTfolio OM platform. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION To successfully complete the Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment, Members must achieve a minimum score of 70%. If they are unsuccessful in the first attempt, the Member will be given one additional opportunity to successfully complete the assessment. If the Member is unsuccessful a second time, he/she will be referred to the QAC. In these circumstances one option the QAC may consider is to require the Member to participate in a Specified Continuing Education or Remediation Program (SCERP) in order to improve their knowledge of Respiratory Therapy standards of practice in Ontario prior to another attempt to successfully complete the assessment Once the Member has successfully completed the Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment, they are required to participate in the CRTO s Professional Development Program, which includes:. Annual completion of the RelevanT elearning module Ongoing maintenance of their PORTfolio Initial submission of PORTfolio after 3 years Additional information is outlined in the Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment Policy. 2
WHO RelevanT All CRTO Members, which include: All Members registered with General Certificates of Registration (RRTs) All Members registered with Limited Certificates of Registration (PRTs) All Members registered with Graduate Certificates of Registration (GRTs) All Members registered with Inactive Certificates of Registration WHEN & HOW All Members must complete the RelevanT Learning Module on an annual basis* within a prescribed time period. The module will be available online and will coincide with the CRTO annual renewal period (from January to the last day of February. * please note that no deferrals will be granted for the RelevanT assessment. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION In order to successfully complete the RelevanT module, each Member is required to correctly answer all of the questions in the module. Members are permitted to attempt the questions as many times as necessary in order to correctly answer all of them. A certificate of completion will be available once the RelevanT elearning module has been successfully completed. 3
WHO PORTfolio OM All CRTO Members must maintain their PORTfolios on an ongoing basis. The following CRTO Members are required to submit their PORTfolios during their Review Year: All Members registered with General Certificates of Registration (RRTs) All Members registered with Limited Certificates of Registration (PRTs) All Members registered with Graduate Certificates of Registration (GRTs) who have already completed the Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment Members registered with Inactive Certificates of Registration must maintain their PORTfolios on an ongoing basis but are not required to submit their PORTfolios. WHEN & HOW Each Member will be assigned an initial Review Year based on the following: The year they became a Member of the CRTO If and when they last submitted their PORTfolio to the CRTO The number of times they have submitted their PORTfolio to the CRTO, if applicable. Once each Member has completed their first PORTfolio submission, they will be assigned to a new Review Year based on the outcome of their assessment. Deferrals for PORTfolio submissions will only be granted by the QAC in extenuating circumstances. More information on the deferral process is available in the PDP Deferral Policy. The PORTfolio must be completed and submitted to the CRTO using the PORTfolio OM platform. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION Each PORTfolio will be evaluated against a standardized set of criteria designed to assess the member s knowledge, skill and judgment. Depending upon the outcome of this assessment, some Members will be required to consult with an RT Peer Assessor in an attempt to bring their PORTfolio up to standard. After this consultation process has been completed, Members will be reassigned to a new Review Year, which will be either: Five years - if the Member successfully completes their PORTfolio by meeting all of the assessment criteria OR One year* - if the Member does not meet all the assessment criteria even after meeting with an RT Peer Assessor. 4
Specific Continuing Education or Remediation Program (SCERP) In accordance with S.80.2 of the Health Professions Procedural Code, the Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) may require individual Members whose knowledge, skill and judgment have been assessed and found to be unsatisfactory to participate in a SCERP. This remediation process is intended to be an educational opportunity for the Member to improve his/her knowledge, skill and judgement. The form and nature of the SCERP will depend on the Member s identified learning needs and challenges, and may take the form of: A customized educational tool that is implemented utilizing a mentor; An existing course or educational program; or Another educational tool that is appropriate for the Member s learning needs. There are three (3) circumstances where a Member may be required to undergo a SCERP [under s. 80.2 (1)]: 1. If a Member receives a score below 70% on two consecutive attempts at the Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment; and/or 2. If a Member submits two consecutive PORTfolios that are determined to not meet the requisite criteria for successful completion;and/or 3. If a member has completed a practice assessment and found to have unsatisfactory knowledge, skill and judgment In these instances, the Member will be referred to a panel of the QAC. The panel may elect to take one or more of a number of actions under the legislation; however, the most likely will be to require the Member to complete a SCERP. This SCERP will be customized to the learning needs of the Member, as identified from the results of his/her two previous assessments. Reassessment Following the completion of the SCERP, the QAC will review the report prepared by the individual(s) responsible for implementing and/or overseeing the remediation (SCERP). This report will outline the topics addressed in the SCERP and what the outcome of the process was. At that time, the QAC will determine if a reassessment is required and if so, what form of reassessment would be appropriate to evaluate the Member s current knowledge, skill and judgement. The form and manner of the reassessment will depend on the Member s identified learning needs, as well as the outcome of the SCERP, and could include: Requiring the Member to repeat the Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment or to resubmit their PORTfolio; or Undergo an oral or written assessment; or A Practice Assessment Terms, Conditions and Limitations Also under S. 80.2, there are instances when the QAC may determine it necessary to direct the Registrar to impose terms, conditions or limitations for a specified period, such as: Where the Member s knowledge, skill and judgment are assessed and found to be unsatisfactory; if, following a SCERP and reassessment, the Member s knowledge, skill and judgment is still deemed to be unsatisfactory; or if the Member does not comply with the direction to participate in, or successfully complete a SCERP. 5
Once the Committee is satisfied that the Member s knowledge, skill and judgment are satisfactory the committee may direct the Registrar to remove terms, conditions or limitations before the end of the specified period. Practice Assessment The Quality Assurance Regulation (Part VI - O. Reg. 596/94) made under the Respiratory Therapy Act outlines the elements of a Practice Assessment, which may include: requiring the Member to answer, orally or in writing, including online, questions about the member s practice; interviewing or surveying the Member or the Member s employer, employees, colleagues, supervisors, peers or patients; inspecting the premises where the Member practises, including reviewing information respecting patient care or the member s records of the care of patients or of equipment maintenance and quality control; reviewing the Member s records of professional development and self-assessments; or requiring the Member to participate in simulations, peer assessments, practice setting reviews, case studies or any other mechanism designed to assess the Member s knowledge, skill and judgment. The required Practice Assessment may be dependent upon the gaps identified in the Member s knowledge, skill and judgement as well as their employment circumstances. A Practice Assessment Checklist and a Guideline for the Use of the Practice Assessment Checklist have been developed to accompany this policy and to guide the assessor and the Member through the Practice Assessment process. Process for Practice Assessment The QAC may appoint an assessor for the purposes of a Practice Assessment. In this case, the Member may be required to arrange for the Assessor to enter and inspect their workplace premises and patient records, as required 1. Any Member who is required to undergo a Practice Assessment will be provided with 30-days notice. The date for the assessment will be coordinated by CRTO staff to accommodate both the assessor and the Member. At that time, the Member will be provided with information outlining what they will need to do in advance of the Practice Assessment (e.g., review Practice Guidelines, assemble sample of patient records) and will be provided with a timeline as to when these matters need to be completed (i.e., within 30 days or as specified). Generally, the Practice Assessment will take place at the Member s workplace, however if that is not appropriate or feasible, then other arrangements will be made. There will be no fee charged to the Member for the Practice Assessment. 6
Other Related PDP Information Referrals from the Registration Committee Concerning Currency When directing to issue a certificate of registration to an applicant, the Registration Committee may impose conditions on the certificate of registration, including requirements that: The Member cooperate with a QAC peer and practice assessment of his/her knowledge, skills and judgment (using the Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment) within a prescribed time period, and comply with any remediation ordered as a result of that assessment; and The Member submits to the QAC a record of his/her continuous quality improvement activities (utilizing the PORTfolio) within a prescribed time period. In the interest of expediting the process in a timely manner, as soon as the conditions listed above are imposed on a certificate of registration, the Manager of Quality Practice will contact the Member notifying him/her of the procedure. A Panel of the QAC will be notified of the referral at the earliest opportunity and a report of the Member's Launch RT results and/or PORTfolio review will be evaluated by a Panel of the QAC. Should the results of the assessment be unsatisfactory, based on the Launch RT pass mark and/or the PORTfolio assessment criteria, the QAC will generally follow the standard process of mentoring and/or remediation. Once the Member has successfully met the requirements he/she will be assigned a Review Year as part of the ongoing CRTO Professional Development Program. The Manager of Quality Practice will then notify the Registrar that the Member has completed the PDP Requirements. French Language Services The CRTO will make every effort to ensure Members have access to all PDP components in both English and French. To that end, the following tools are available online in both languages: Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment; and PORTfolio RelevanT These tools will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure accuracy. The following tools are available in English and will be translated into French as required: Remediation Checklist; and Practice Assessment Checklist. Where possible, the reference material required to complete the Launch RT will be made available to Members on the CRTO website in both English and French. 7
Notifications of PDP Requirements The following notifications are sent to Members informing them of their PDP requirements: Launch RT Jurisprudence Assessment o Information about the requirement to complete the assessment, along with the date their assessment will begin and when it is due to be completed, is included in the letter sent to all new CRTO Members and Registration Committee referrals to the Professional Development Program. o An email is sent to the Member on the day the assessment becomes available to them to complete. Reminder emails are sent several days before the due date and on the due date. RelevanT elearning Module o Information about the requirement to complete the module, along with the date the module is available and when it is due to be completed, is included in the annual Registration Renewal letter sent to all CRTO Members. o An email is sent to the Member on the day the module becomes available to them to complete. Reminder emails are sent several days before the due date and on the due date. PORTfolio Review Year o Information about the PORTfolio submission process and deadline is sent out in a letter in April of each year to the Members whose PORTfolio is due to be submitted April 1 st of the following year. o An email is sent to the Member in January of the year their PORTfolio is due. Reminder emails are sent several days before the due date and on the due date. In addition to the above notifications, the following statement will appear on the Registration Renewal form that must be completed by all CRTO Members: I acknowledge that, as a Member of the CRTO, I am required to participate in the Professional Development Program regardless of my registration status (General, Graduate, Practical or Inactive), my practice setting (working in direct patient care, not working in direct patient care) or whether I am currently practicing as a Respiratory Therapist in Ontario. All notifications, both those sent via email and those by letter (by regular mail via Canada Post), are sent to the address provided by the Member, which is found in the CRTO s imis database. 8
Non-Compliance & Late Submissions of PDP Requirements If a Member does not complete their PDP requirements by the established deadlines, without having been granted a deferral by the QAC, an Initial Notice email and letter will be sent to the Member from the Manager of Quality Practice within 48 hours of the missed deadline. This notification will inform the Member that they have 15 calendar days in which to complete their PDP requirement. If the Member fails to complete their PDP requirement within 15 calendar days from the date the previous notification was sent, a Final Notice via email and letter will be sent to the Member from the Manager of Quality Practice. These subsequent notifications will inform the Member that the matter of their non-compliance will be referred to a panel of the QAC in 15 calendar days if they do not complete their PDP requirement within that time-frame. If the Member fails to complete their PDP requirement within 15 calendar days from the date Final Notices were sent, a Referral Notice via email and letter will be sent from the Manager of Quality Practice. These notifications will inform the Member that the matter has been referred to the QAC and that the Member has 35 days from the date the letter was sent to make written submission to the CRTO. If a Member does not complete their CRTO PDP requirements within the stated timelines, a panel of the QA Committee may do any one or more of the following: Require the Member to undergo a peer and practice assessment, as per O. Reg. 379/12 Part VI Quality Assurance S.36(2)(c)(i) o A peer and practice assessment may include: a) Requiring the Member to answer questions about their practice b) Interviewing the Member or the Member s employer, employees, colleagues, supervisor, peers or patients c) Inspecting the premises where the Member practices d) Reviewing the Member s records of professional development and selfassessments (e.g., PORTfolio) e) Requiring the Member to participate in simulations, peer assessments, practice setting reviews, case studies or any other mechanism designed to assess the Member s knowledge, skill and judgment. Disclose the name of the Member and allegations against the Member to the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) if the QA Committee is of the opinion that the Member may have committed an act of professional misconduct or may be incompetent or incapacitated. [Health Professions Procedural Code S. 80.2 (4)] o Contravening the Respiratory Therapy Act, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 or the regulations under either of those Acts is considered to be professional misconduct, as per O. Reg. 753/93 Professional Misconduct S. 24. For a summary of the above process, please see Appendix A. 9
Appendix A Summary of Non-Compliance & Late Submission of PDP Requirements INITIAL NOTICE Member does not complete PDP by deadline Member is notified by email & regular mail that s/he must the compete the PDP within 15 calendar days* Legend PDP Professional Development Program QAC Quality Assurance Committee TCLs Terms, Conditions or Limitations ICRC Inquiries, Complaints & Reports Committee Member completes PDP within deadline Member does not complete PDP within 15 calendar days* FINAL NOTICE Member is notified, by email & regular mail, that s/he willl be referred to the QAC if the assessment not completed within 15 calendar days* Member completes PDP within deadline Member does not complete PDP within 15 calendar days* REFERRAL NOTICE Member is notified, by email & regular mail, that s/he has been referred to the QAC (35 days provided for Member to make written submission)* Possible QAC Decisions Require the Member to undergo a Peer & Practice Assessment QA Reg. s.36(2)(c)(i) Forward allegations of Professional Misconduct against the Member to the ICRC HPPC s. 80.2 (4) *from the date of notification