ANNUAL REPORT 2010 1 April 2009 31 March 2010
Contents The Medical Radiation Technologists Board 2 Purpose and Mission 2 The Board s Values 2 The Board s Functions 3 Medical Radiation Technologists Board Members 4 Chairperson s Report 6 Governance 8 Board Meetings 8 Board Fees 8 Strategic Plan 9 Board Committees 10 Board Members Professional Development 11 Sector Liaison 11 Registration and Practising Certificates 12 New Registrations 12 Training Scopes of Practice 13 Registration Examination Assessments (REA) 13 Annual Practising Certificates 14 Accreditation of New Zealand Providers of Prescribed Qualification Programmes 15 Competence and Fitness to Practise 16 Standards of Competence 16 Approval of Recertification Programmes 16 Enrolment in a Recertification Programme 17 Audit of Competence 17 Competence Notifications/Reviews 18 Health 18 Complaints and Discipline 19 Quality Improvement Projects 20 Governance 20 Standards of Competence 20 Communication and Information Management 21 Finance 22 Audit Report 22 2010 Financial Statements 24 Contacting the Board 21
2 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD The Medical Radiation Technologists Board Purpose and Mission The Medical Radiation Technologists Board is appointed by the Minister of Health to fulfil its responsibility in ensuring that medical radiation technologists are competent and fit to practise, thereby working to protect and promote the health and safety of the New Zealand public. The Board fulfils its responsibility to the Minister of Health by demonstrating leadership to ensure the profession of medical radiation technology protects the health and safety of the public. This is achieved by the Board setting policies to enable the implementation of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 and so mitigate the risk to the Board, the profession and the public within a social, ethical and financially viable framework. The Board s Values Fairness Consistency Honesty Consultation Impartiality Approachability Natural Justice
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 3 The Board s Functions In accordance with Section 118 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003), the Board is responsible for fulfilling a number of functions: 1. To prescribe the qualifications required for scopes of practice within the profession of medical radiation technology, and, for that purpose, to accredit and monitor educational institutions and degrees, courses of studies, or programmes. 2. To authorise the registration of medical radiation technologists under the Act, and to maintain registers. 3. To consider applications for annual practising certificates. 4. To review and promote the competence of medical radiation technologists. 5. To recognise, accredit, and set programmes to ensure the ongoing competence of medical radiation technologists. 6. To receive and act on information from health practitioners, employers, and the Health and Disability Commissioner about the competence of medical radiation technologists 7. To notify employers, the Accident Compensation Corporation, the Director- General of Health, and the Health and Disability Commissioner that the practice of a medical radiation technologist may pose a risk of harm to the public. 8. To consider the cases of medical radiation technologists who may be unable to perform the functions required for the practice of the medical radiation technology profession. 9. To set standards of clinical competence, cultural competence, and ethical conduct to be observed by medical radiation technologists. 10. To liaise with other authorities appointed under the Act about matters of common interest. 11. To promote education and training in the profession of medical radiation technology. 12. To promote public awareness of the responsibilities of the Board.
4 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Medical Radiation Technologists Board Members Raewyn Curin (Chair) is the Service Manager of Radiology Services for the Auckland District Health Board and has been a member of the Board both prior to and since the implementation of the HPCA Act. Raewyn is a registered medical radiation technologist in the scope of practice of diagnostic imaging general. During 2009/2010 she sat on a number of Board committees and is the Board representative on the Unitec Advisory Committee (Medical Imaging). Jennifer de Ridder (Deputy Chair) is Team Leader of Radiation Therapists at the Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre. A registered and practising radiation therapist, Jennifer has been a member of the Medical Radiation Technologists Board since 2005. During 2009/2010 she was actively involved with a number of Board committees and represented the Board on the University of Otago Advisory Committee (Radiation Therapy). Paula Jones was appointed to the Board in 2005. A registered and practising medical radiation technologist (diagnostic imaging general), during 2009-2010 Paula convened the Board s Continuing Competence Committee and was an active member of the Board s Registrations Committee. Paula is a Charge Medical Radiation Technologist at Hawkes Bay District Health Board. Paula s appointment to the Board finished in February 2010. Marie-Therese Borland has been a member of the Board both prior to and since the implementation of the HPCA Act. A registered and practising medical radiation technologist (diagnostic imaging general), Marie-Therese is Manager of the Waikato Breast Screen Care. During 2009-2010 she convened the Board s Registration Examination Assessment Committee. Marie-Therese s appointment to the Board finished in February 2010. Julia Metcalfe was appointed to the Board in 2006. Julia is a registered and practising medical radiation technologist in the scope of practice of sonography. She tutors in the Postgraduate Diploma in Ultrasound at Unitec, and also teaches trainee sonographers at Auckland District Health Board. During 2009-2010 Julia sat on the Board s Registration Committee and represented the Board on the CPIT Advisory Committee (Medical Imaging). Shelley Park has been a Board member since 2006. Registered in the dual scopes of practice of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diagnostic imaging general, Shelley is a Senior MRI Technologist at the University of Auckland where she undertakes a variety of clinical and research work. During 2009-2010 she convened the Board s Education Committee and was also a member of the Registrations Committee.
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 5 Prue Lamerton was re-appointed to the Board in February 2010. A registered nuclear medicine technologist, Prue is currently team leader for nuclear medicine at Hawkes Bay Memorial Hospital. Prue brings to the Board an extensive knowledge of nuclear medicine and the Board looks forward to having this expertise readily available especially after a considerable period of not having a Board member with a nuclear medicine background. Barbara Holland has been a member of the Board both prior to and since the implementation of the HPCA Act. Appointed to the Board as a lay member, Barbara has extensive experience in working with a variety of governance boards at both national and local level, and has postgraduate qualification in business administration and women s studies. During 2009-2010 Barbara convened the Board s Health Committee. George Coalter has been a member of the Board since its inception under the HPCA Act and is Charge Medical Physicist at Waikato District Health Board. During 2009-2010 George represented the Board on the UCOL Advisory Committee (Medical Imaging). Julia Andrew was appointed to the Board in February 2010. A registered and practising medical radiation technologist (diagnostic imaging general), Julia is Radiographic Manager for the Radiology Group Milford, North Shore, Auckland. Maureen Waaka was appointed to the Board in February 2010. Registered as a medical radiation technologist in the scope of diagnostic imaging general, Maureen serves on a number of other governance Boards at both national and local level.
6 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Chairperson s Report The Medical Radiation Technologists Board continued to develop and review it policies and procedures in line with its Strategic and Operational plan. The Board holds a planning day in November each year where the Strategic Plan, the Operational Plan and the budget are discussed and updated for the following year. The Board has moved to a governance framework with all members of the Board receiving training in governance models. The move to a governance framework has been possible due to the expertise of the staff employed by its secretariat, Medical Sciences Secretariat. The Secretariat services two regulatory authorities the Medical Radiation Technologists Board and the Medical Laboratory Science Board. In order for the Board to concentrate on its responsibilities and operate at a governance level, it must have full confidence in its operational staff. This confidence is reflected in the increased number of delegations that have been given to staff of Medical Sciences Secretariat over the past year. Staff changes over the past year, along with a restructuring which has resulted in all staff working across both Boards, has enabled the Boards to maintain low operational costs. I am pleased to inform you that, with the exception of the Nursing Council which has a far greater number of registrants, the Medical Radiation Technologist Board and the Medical Laboratory Science Board (along with the Physiotherapists Board) have the lowest APC fees for their practitioners. We were pleased to welcome two new Board members onto the Board in February 2010 Maureen Waaka and Julia Andrew. Maureen and Julia are both registered in the Diagnostic Imaging General scope of practice. They replaced Paula Jones and Marie-Therese Borland. I would like to express my thanks to Paula and Marie-Therese for the work they undertook on the Board. Paula has a valuable background in clinical teaching and more recently as a Radiology Manager for Hawke s Bay District Health Board and Marie-Therese has a wealth of experience in breast imaging and the Breast Screen programme. Both Board members were involved in the monitoring of our education providers and were convenors and members of several committees during their time on the Board. The site visit for CPIT was completed in August 2009 and the clinical competency observation was completed for Unitec in August 2009. A review of the assessment of overseas qualifications was undertaken and will continue in 2010. The Board maintains competency documents for the five scopes of practice and a major review was undertaken of these documents to ensure they were in alignment in areas such as communication, health and safety, ethics and equipment. Each document will continue to
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 7 have a clinical section specific to that scope of practice that will be reviewed by a peer review group every three years, but the remainder of the competencies remain generic across the five scopes of practice. I have continued to work closely with the joint Australian registration boards. The Australian government has announced that there will be nation wide registration of medical radiation technologists in mid 2012. The joint Boards, the Australian Institute of Radiography and the ANZ Nuclear Medicine Society are meeting regularly to work on a pathway to national registration. Registration will apply to medical radiation technologists working in diagnostic, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. MRI and Ultrasound are not being considered for national registration at this stage. I wish to thank all Board members for their time and commitment to the work of the Board. All Board members have professional careers which take considerable time and energy. To find further time to undertake Board and committee work is greatly appreciated. I also wish to thank the staff of Medical Sciences Secretariat and CEO Mary Doyle. The staff have met the challenge of the increased operational work that is associated with the move of the Board to a governance framework. I believe that the work we have achieved on documenting our policies and procedures has ensured that staff have the tools to undertake their work and carry out their delegations. Raewyn Curin Board Chair
8 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Governance The Medical Radiation Technologists Board is appointed by the Minister of Health to meet the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. The Board is accountable to the Minister, the medical radiation technology profession and the public in performing its functions as stated in section 118 of the Act. Board Meetings At its first meeting of each calendar year, the Board sets and confirms its annual calendar of events including Board meetings. Between 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 the Board met four times. Board Members 18/06/2009 17/09/2009 3/12/2009 18/03/2010 Raewyn Curin Yes Yes Yes Yes Jennifer de Ridder Apology Yes Yes Yes Paula Jones Yes Yes Yes Marie-Therese Yes Yes Yes Julia Metcalfe Yes Yes Yes Yes Shelley Park Yes Yes Yes Yes Barbara Holland Yes Yes Yes Apology George Coalter Apology Yes Yes Yes Julia Andrew Yes Prue Lamerton Yes Maureen Waaka Yes Board Fees The fees paid to Board members for meeting attendance are: Position Fee (per day) $ Chairperson 660 Deputy Chairperson 605 Member 440
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 9 Strategic Plan In 2008 the Board developed its first three-year strategic plan which focuses on the development the Medical Radiation Technologists Board will undertake to consolidate its responsibilities under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003). It provides a foundation from which the Board can go forward and on which future strategic plans can be built. The plan reflects the scope of the Board s responsibilities and identifies key strategies and initiatives the Board will undertake to meet those responsibilities. The plan recognises the primary relationship and interdependency the Board has with Medical Sciences Secretariat and the Board s partnership relationship with the Medical Laboratory Science Board. The plan has five core strategic goals that are encompassed by four supporting strategies: FINANCIAL: A financial management environment that enhances the Board s information and decision making, supports the most effective use of funds, and ensures a fair allocation of financial resources to support the strategic direction COMMUNICATION: Promote the understanding of the role of the Medical Radiation Technologists Board and its role in implementing the core responsibilities of the HPCA Act ACCREDITATION Qualification programmes reflect best practice standards in the profession, ensuring graduates are well prepared to provide quality medical radiation services COMPETENCE All practitioners registered with the Board continue to demonstrate they are competent and fit to practise GOVERNANCE Build our governance capabilities to ensure the Board effectively and efficiently fulfils its legislative responsibilities COMPLAINTS The Board is well prepared to manage any complaints REGISTRATION RECERTIFICATION Registration and recertification processes are responsive and meet all legislative requirements INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE: Build on our knowledge and expertise thereby enabling us to address complex policy issues and operational imperatives in a timely and flexible manner PEOPLE: Operational business support and strategic advice services are undertaken by a team of people who are appropriately skilled and experienced in providing a service delivery framework that is customer focused and quality driven
10 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Board Committees The Board has a number of standing committees who have delegated authority to oversee many of the ongoing functions of the Board as well as progressing specific business improvement initiatives as set out in the Board s annual business plan. Committee Membership Function Registrations Registration Examination Assessments Education Continuing Competency Health Finance and Administration Information Technology Convener Raewyn Curin (DIG) Members Julia Metcalfe (US) Paula Jones (DIG) Jennifer de Ridder (RT) Shelley Park (MRI) Convener Marie-Therese Borland Members Julia Metcalfe Convener Shelley Park Members Jennifer de Ridder George Coalter Raewyn Curin Julia Metcalfe Convener Paula Jones Members Raewyn Curin Shelley Park Barbara Holland Convener Barbara Holland Convener Raewyn Curin Members Jennifer de Ridder Mary Doyle Convener Jennifer de Ridder Members George Coalter Approve all registration applications outside of staff delegations Manage regular reviews of scopes of practice for purpose of registration Develop and review relevant policies Review all failed REA Oversee appointment and ongoing training of REA assessors Regular review of the REA framework Develop and review relevant policies Represent Board at relevant education forums Manage the accreditation process for prescribed qualification programmes Monitor process for assessment of overseas qualifications Develop and review relevant policies Direct the competence review process for individual practitioners Coordinate annual competence audit of 10% of registrants Review recertification programmes Develop and review relevant policies Oversee the management of health notifications Develop and review relevant policies Approve preliminary annual business plans and budget drafts prior to being presented to full Board Monitor the Board s financial performance Develop and review relevant policies Provide advice and support to the CEO regarding the Board s IT requirements Advise the Board on matters relating to IT support systems Develop and review relevant policies Legend: DIG Diagnostic Imaging General RT Radiation Therapy MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging NM Nuclear Medicine US Ultrasound
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 11 Board Member s Professional Development The Board paid the registration fees for three Board members to attend the annual conference of the New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology which was held in August 2009 in Queenstown. A total of four Board members attended a series of three workshops offered by Buddle Findlay that focused on various aspects of regulatory authorities responsibilities under the HPCA Act. Sector Liaison The Board continues to liaise with relevant professional bodies both in New Zealand and overseas. During 2009/2010 Raewyn Curin, the Board Chair, attended a number of meetings with medical imaging registration bodies in Australia, providing collegial advice and support to their preparations for a move from state registration to a national registration framework which will apply to the medical radiation technology profession in Australia from 2012. The Board has continued to be a member of the Health Regulatory Authorities of New Zealand (HRANZ) group, both at a strategic and operational level and has been involved in various projects during 2009-2010.
12 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Registrations and Practising Certificates New Registrations Of a total of 279 registration applications, 249 were approved, 14 declined, and 16 offered an opportunity to sit a registration examination assessment as an alternative path to registration in the profession of medical radiation technology. Of the 249 applications approved for registration, 158 were New Zealand graduates while the remaining 91 were overseas trained. T h e l a r g e s t n u m b e r o f a p p r o v e d registrations were for New Zealand graduates, with the second largest group from the United Kingdom/Ireland. New Registration Applications 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010* Approved Registrations 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 New Zealand Overseas Applicants Approved 88% Declined 5% Offered REA 7% * Excludes Applications for Registration in Training Scopes of Practice Training Scopes of Practice Medical radiation technologists who are registered with the Board can apply to be registered in a training scope of practice, which allows them to undertake further academic study and supervised clinical practice to become registered in another scope of practice within the profession of medical radiation technology. For example, between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010 43 medical radiation technologists who already held registration a s d i a g n o s t i c i m a g i n g g e n e r a l technologists, were approved registration in a magnetic resonance imaging training (MRI) scope of practice. They are then allowed a maximum of five years within Approved Registrations 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 Applications by Country New Zealand 63% Overseas 37% New Zealand 63% United Kingdom 18% Australia 7% Fiji 2% Canada 3% South Africa 2% Other 5%
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 13 Approved Applications for a Training Scope of Practice 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 Ultrasound 53% Nuclear Medicine 7% Magnetic Resonance Imaging 40% which to complete the academic and clinical requirements of the MRI training scope. Upon successful completion of the training scope of practice the practitioner must apply for a full scope of practice before being able to work unsupervised as a MRI technologist. Registration Examination Assessments (REA) Note: The number of REA sat within one year do not necessarily equal the number of REA offered in that same year as applicants have a window of 12 months from the time of application within which they can take up the offer to sit a REA. Registration Examination Assessments 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 4 Fiji Pass 73% Fail 27% Registration Examination Assessments 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 Country of Origin of Applicant REA Pass REA Fail 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Iceland Germany Philippines USA United Kingdom 3 Canada The Board offers an alternative path to registration. For some overseas applicants, while their qualification may not be assessed as being substantially equivalent to the prescribed New Zealand qualification for the relevant scope of practice, they may have significant clinical experience in an overseas setting. A registration examination assessment (REA) may be offered to such applicants as a means of gaining New Zealand registration in the profession of medical radiation technology. A p p l i c a n t s w h o s a t a r e g i s t r a t i o n examination in 2009-2010, came from seven overseas countries. Registration examination assessments may also be used by the Board to assess the competence of a medical radiation technologist who applies for an annual practising certificate after not working in the profession for five years or more. In 2009-2010, one REA was conducted with a medical radiation technologist wanting to return to the profession.
14 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Number of Practising Certificates per Scope of Practice 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 1480 DIG 285 28 54 RT NMI MRI 288 16 2 46 54 59 40 US DG/NM DIG/RT 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 DIG/US DIG/MRI DIG/Training MRI DIG/Training US DIG/Training NM NM/US MRI/US DIG/MRI/NM MRI/NM/Training MRI DIG/MRI/Training US DIG/US/Training MRI Each registration examination assessment is conducted by two registered medical radiation technologists who hold a current practising certificate in the relevant scope of practice for which the applicant is applying for registration/return to work. REA assessors receive specific training from the Board and are required to attend such training on a regular and ongoing basis to be eligible to continue to be contracted by the Board to conduct REA. APC Holders per Single Scope of Practice 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 APC Holders with Multiple Scopes of Practice 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 US 14% DIG 30% RT 13% NM 1% MRI 3% DIG/NM 7% DIG/RT 1% DIG/US 20% DIG/MRI 24% DIG/Training MRI 26% DIG/Training US 18% DIG/Training NM 1% NM/US 1% MRI/US 1% DIG/MRI/NM 1% 0% MRI/NM/Training MRI 0% DIG/MRI/Training US 0% DIG/US/Training MRI In May 2009 the Board held its annual workshop for REA assessors, which each assessor is required to attend on a biennial basis. The 2009 workshop was attended by twenty-four assessors. This represented 86% from the total number of REA assessors available to the Board during 2009-2010. ANNUAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATES An individual medical radiation technologist is able to hold an annual practising certificate in more than one scope of practice (providing they are registered in each scope of practice and have met the recertification requirements for each scope of practice). In 2009/1010 the Board issued annual practising certificates to 2360 medical radiation technologists (all scopes of practice).
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 15 Accreditation of New Zealand Providers of Prescribed Qualification Programmes The Board has prescribed a number of qualification programmes offered by four New Zealand education providers for registration in the profession of medical radiation technology. Education Provider Qualification Programme Relevant Scope of Practice UNITEC Institute of Technology University of Otago Universal College of Learning UCOL Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology CPIT Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Ultrasound) Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Radiation Therapy) Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) Bachelor of Medical Imaging Diagnostic Imaging General Magnetic Resonance Imaging Ultrasound Radiation Therapy Diagnostic Imaging General Diagnostic Imaging general Each of the education providers is subjected to an ongoing accreditation/monitoring process to ensure each qualification programme continues to meet the minimum competence standards as set by the Board for the purpose of registration. The accreditation/monitoring process has four components: 1. Submission of full course documentation 2. Annual report from the education provider 3. Monitoring clinical assessments 4. An on-site monitoring visit The accreditation/monitoring process is repeated on a 5-year cycle for each qualification programme. In 2009/2010 the Board completed an accreditation assessment of the undergraduate medical imaging programme (Bachelor of Medical Imaging) offered by the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. Overall, this qualification programme continues to meet the registration requirements of the Board. The Board also undertook accreditation visits to the UNITEC Institute of Technology in 2009-2010. The final report was still in progress as at 31 March 2010.
16 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Competence and Fitness to Practise The HPCA Act allows the Board to set or recognise recertification programmes as a mechanism to ensure medical radiation technologists registered with the Board are competent to practise within their relevant scopes of practice. Standards of Competence The Board has identified a set of key minimum competencies required to register as a medical radiation technologist in any of the defined scopes of practice, and these include a definition of the skills and knowledge required to fulfill those competencies. These competencies are the cornerstone against which individual practitioners are expected to practise. The competencies are over-arching and impinge on each and every Board policy and procedure relating to a practitioner s competence and fitness to practise. These minimum competencies are used to: Set national standards for all scopes of practice in medical radiation technology. Cross-reference/assess overseas applicants qualifications for registration in New Zealand. Identify areas in which prospective medical radiation technologists need education to comply with New Zealand standards. Provide guidelines for tertiary institutions who are providing or anticipating providing a course in medical radiation technology Assist in the development of core standard units in education. Monitor programme delivery in the educational institutions. Approval of Recertification Programmes The Board has approved seven recertification programmes which are provided by both New Zealand and overseas organisations: New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology (NZIMRT) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. Australia and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) MOSSIP Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 17 American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Continuing Education (CE) programme. Christchurch Radiology Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. Any organisation wishing to provide a recertification programme for medical radiation technologists registered with the Board must make a formal application to the Board and provide evidence that the programme will meet standardised criteria set by the Board. Enrolment in a Recertification Programme All medical radiation technologists applying for a renewal of their annual practising certificate are required to declare that they are enrolled and engaged in at least one of the recertification programmes approved by the Board. Declarations are then randomly verified through the Board s annual audit of practitioner s competence. Audit of Competence In 2009 the Board advised 220 practitioners they had been selected for the annual audit undertaken by the Board to assess their competence and fitness to practise. The audit was conducted by Board members from the profession, industry representatives, and representatives from three providers of the Board-approved recertification programmes. 176 practitioners returned all the required documentation for audit. Of the remaining 44 practitioners, 13 were given an extension due to extenuating circumstances. A further 11 practitioners were either on leave or overseas and were subsequently exempted for the 2009 audit but flagged for future audit. The 20 practitioners who did not respond to the audit notification have been flagged for an audit in 2010. Of the 176 practitioners audited, 152 met the required standards and 9 passed with conditions. The remaining 15 practitioners were required to do further work to provide the Board with evidence they meet the required competence standards.
18 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Competence Notification/Reviews Medical radiation technologists who wish to practise in New Zealand must be able to demonstrate they meet the Board s minimum competencies in the relevant scope(s) of practice. Under Section 34 of the HPCA Act anyone who has concerns that a medical radiation technologist may pose a risk of harm to the public by practising below the required standard of competence may inform the Board s Registrar in writing, including the reasons on which their belief is based. Section 34 of the Act also requires an employer to notify the Board s Registrar whenever a registered medical radiation technologist resigns or is dismissed from his/her employment for reasons related to competence. Following enquiries into such notifications the Board may undertake a competence review with the practitioner concerned. Competence reviews are rehabilitative in nature and aim to improve the person s practice so that he/she can continue to practise in the relevant scope of practice. During the 2009-2010 financial year the Board received one notification about a medical radiation technologist s competence and after further enquiry decided to undertake a competence review with the practitioner concerned. As at 31 March 2010 the competence review was still in progress. Health Should medical radiation technologists become either physically or mentally unwell, have an accident, and/or have substance misuse problems, such illness has potential to harm the public. The Board has mechanisms in place to provide assessment, rehabilitation and support to medical radiation technologists who may have a physical and/or mental condition that results in them being unable to fulfil the required functions of their profession. Medical radiation technologists are required, under section 45 of the HPCA Act, to inform the Board about concerns they have in regard to their own or another medical radiation technologist s ability to practise safely due to a physical and/or mental condition. The Board did not receive any health notifications during the 2009-2010 year.
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 19 Complaints and Discipline In accordance with the HPCA Act the Board is obliged to consider all information that raises questions about the conduct or the safety of practice of medical radiation technologists. All complaints received by the Board alleging that the practice or conduct of a medical radiation technologist has affected a health consumer are forwarded to the Health and Disability Commissioner as required by section 64(1) of the Act. The Health and Disability Commissioner may refer a complaint back to the Board, requiring the Board to assess the complaint and consider the action(s) it needs to take to respond to the complaint. In accordance with Section 67 of the Act the Board must be notified if a registered medical radiation technologist is convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of three months or longer. Any notice of a conviction under Section 67 must be referred to a Professional Conduct Committee. During 2009-2010 the Medical Radiation Technologists Board did not receive any complaints under Sections 64 (1) of the HPCA Act. One notification was received under Section 67 and investigation by a PCC was still pending as at 31 March 2010.
20 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Quality Improvement Projects During 2009-2010 the Board undertook a number of projects to improve both its governance and operational capabilities. Governance Early in 2009 the Board reviewed the framework within which it operates and the mechanisms it employs to fulfil its responsibilities and functions under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. The Board concluded that it was managing its governance responsibilities reasonably well and agreed to continue to operate within the current framework. In 2009 the Board undertook a review of Board-Management delegations. As the Board has joint ownership of Medical Sciences Secretariat (MSS), which provides both the Medical Radiation Technologists Board and the Medical Laboratory Science Board with all their business support services, this review was done in partnership with the Medical Laboratory Science Board. One of the benefits of this review has been in the area of managing registration and annual practising certificate applications. Through increased delegations to MSS staff, the Board has not only achieved improvements to processing times, but also placed Board members in a better position to adopt a governance focus through reducing their involvement in operational matters. In 2009-2010 the Board adopted a framework for the evaluation of its performance, and also developed a draft Code of Conduct. Again, these two projects were undertaken in collaboration with the Medical Laboratory Science Board. Unfortunately ongoing delays with the Ministry of Health-driven appointment process for Board members, meant the Medical Radiation Technologists Board worked throughout 2009-2010 with only eight Board members as opposed to the legislated ten. While this had some impact on the Board s ability to achieve all of its 2009-2010 business initiatives, outstanding initiatives have been continued through into the 2010-2011 year. Standards of Competence In 2009-2010 the Board completed a review of the competencies required for registration and ongoing practice, to ensure alignment of the generic competencies applicable to all of its five defined scopes of practice. In addition to these generic competencies, specific competencies have been identified for each of the five scopes of practice.
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 21 Communication and Information Management In 2009 the Board invested resources into the development of a new-look website. The existing website was outdated and failed to provide an environment that encouraged its use. Re-development of the Board s website was aimed at not only improving communications and better presenting the Board to the profession, but also allowing for better administrative flexibility. This project is yet another example of the Board pooling its resources with the Medical Laboratory Science Board, who also needed to review its website. Through managing the individual re-development of each Board s website as a joint project, not only were significant cost savings made, but also there was improved consistency in the way generic information applicable to all regulated professions, has been presented. A project aimed at improving the collection, storage, and retrieval of Board information was commenced in 2009, and is being undertaken as a joint initiative with the Medical Laboratory Science Board. This project is expected to take two-three years to complete. Contacting the Board Contact with the Board is through its office at: Level 7, Sovereign House 34-42 Manners Street Wellington Tel: +64 4 801 6250 Registrar: extension 2 Registration Manager: extension 3 Post all correspondence to: The Registrar Medical Radiation Technologists Board P O Box 11 905 Wellington 6142 Fax: (04) 381 0270 Email: mrt@medsci.co.nz Website: www.mrtboard.org.nz
MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD 22 PKF Martin Jarvie Chartered Accountants AUDIT REPORT TO THE READERS OF MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2010 The Auditor-General is the auditor of the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRT Board). The Auditor-General has appointed me, Paolo Ryan, using the staff and resources of PKF Martin Jarvie, to carry out the audit of the financial statements of the Board, on her behalf, for the year ended 31 March 2010. Unqualified Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements of the MRT Board on pages 24 to 28: comply with generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand; and fairly reflect: the MRT Board s financial position as at 31 March 2010; and the results of its operations for the year ended on that date. The audit was completed on 30 March 2011, and this is the date at which our opinion is expressed. The basis of our opinion is explained below. In addition, we outline the responsibilities of the Members of the Board and the Auditor, and explain our independence. Basis of Opinion We carried out the audit in accordance with the Auditor-General s Auditing Standards, which incorporate the New Zealand Auditing Standards. We planned and performed the audit to obtain all the information and explanations we considered necessary in order to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements did not have material misstatements, whether caused by fraud or error. Material misstatements are differences or omissions of amounts and disclosures that would affect a reader s overall understanding of the financial statements. If we had found material misstatements that were not corrected, we would have referred to them in our opinion. The audit involved performing procedures to test the information presented in the financial statements. We assessed the results of those procedures in forming our opinion. Audit procedures generally include: determining whether significant financial and management controls are working and can be relied on to produce complete and accurate data; verifying samples of transactions and account balances; 3rd Floor I 85 The Terrace I PO Box 1208 I Wellington 6140 Phone +64 4 472 7919 I Fax +64 4 473 4720 Email info@pkfmj.co.nz I www.pkfmartinjarvie.co.nz PKF Martin Jarvie is a member firm of PKF International Limited and PKF New Zealand Limited networks of legally independent firms and does not accept any responsibility or liability for the actions or inactions on the part of any other individual member firm or firms.
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 23 performing analyses to identify anomalies in the reported data; reviewing significant estimates and judgements made by the Board; confirming year-end balances; determining whether accounting policies are appropriate and consistently applied; and determining whether all financial statement disclosures are adequate. We did not examine every transaction, nor do we guarantee complete accuracy of the financial statements. We evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements. We obtained all the information and explanations we required to support our opinion above. Responsibilities of the Members of the Board and the Auditor The Members of the Board are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand. The financial statements must fairly reflect the financial position of the MRT Board as at 31 March 2010 and the results of its operations for the year ended on that date. The Members of the Board s responsibilities arise from the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. We are responsible for expressing an independent opinion on the financial statements and reporting that opinion to you. This responsibility arises from section 15 of the Public Audit Act 2001 and section 134(1) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. Independence When carrying out the audit we followed the independence requirements of the Auditor-General, which incorporate the independence requirements of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand. Other than the audit, we have no relationship with or interests in the MRT Board. Paolo Ryan PKF Martin Jarvie On behalf of the Auditor-General Wellington, New Zealand Matters relating to the electronic presentation of the audited financial report This audit report relates to the financial report of Medical Radiation Technologists Board (the Board) for the year ended 31 March 2010 included on the Board s website. The Board is responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the website. We have not been engaged to report on the integrity of the Board s website. We accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial report since it was initially presented on the website. The audit report refers only to the financial report named above. It does not provide an opinion on any other information which may have been hyperlinked to/from this financial report. If readers of this report are concerned with the inherent risks arising from the electronic data communication they should refer to the published hard copy of the audited financial report and related audit report dated 30 March 2011 to confirm the information included in the audited financial report presented on this website. Legislation in New Zealand governing the preparation and dissemination of financial reports may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
24 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Statement of Financial Performance For the Year ended 31 March 2010 2010 2009 Note $ $ $ Income Registration Fees Non NZ 30,658 49,138 Registration Fees NZ 49,444 47,987 APC s 562,547 506,791 Examination Fees 28,534 55,022 Interest Received 26,905 46,026 Sundry Income 4,910 11,982 Total Income 702,998 716,946 Less Expenses Audit Fees 4,880 6,793 Archiving 296 744 Bank Charges 13,286 11,740 Board Member Fees & Expenses 86,555 103,985 Catering 2,243 1,822 Chartered Accountancy Fees 4,300 1,224 Conference Expenses 2,650 2,622 Examiners Fees 50,250 25,984 General Expenses 1,042 1,245 IT 385 1,038 Legal Expenses 20,904 Postage 3,464 8,711 Printing, Stamps & Stationery 20,229 8,574 Professional Fees 615 MSS Service Charges 277,439 316,413 Telephone, Tolls & Internet 2,638 Travel National 82,367 84,451 Total Expenses 573,543 575,346 Net Surplus/(Deficit) For The Year 129,455 141,600 The attached NOTES form part of these Financial Statements.
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 25 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Statement of Movements in Equity For the Year ended 31 March 2010 2010 2009 Note $ $ $ Opening Equity 519,991 378,391 Net Profit (Loss) 129,455 141,600 Total Recognised Revenues & Expenses 129,455 141,600 Equity at End of the Year 649,446 519,991 The attached NOTES form part of these Financial Statements.
26 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Statement of Financial Position As at 31 March 2010 2010 2009 Note $ $ $ Equity Retained Earnings 4 649,446 519,991 Total Equity 649,446 519,991 Represented by: Current Assets Westpac Bank Government Trading 812,309 656,350 Westpac Bank Cash Management Account 561 8,582 Accounts Receivable 1,079 Accrued Income 5,092 6,427 Westpac Bank Term Deposits 427,337 423,828 Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited 8,334 Total Current Assets 1,245,299 1,104,600 Non Current Assets Investments in MSS 50 50 Total Assets 1,245,349 1,104,650 Current Liabilities Accounts Payable 13,622 14,051 GST Due for Payment 43,617 60,832 Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited 19,232 Medical Laboratory Sciences Board 37,816 37,816 Income in Advance 481,616 471,960 Total Current Liabilities 595,903 584,659 Net Assets/ (Liabilities) 649,446 519,991 For and on behalf of the Board: Chairperson: Date: 30 March 2010 Registrar: Date: 30 March 2010 The attached NOTES form part of these Financial Statements.
2009/2010 ANNUAL REPORT 27 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31 March 2010 1. Statement of Accounting Policies Reporting Entity The Board is constituted under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. These Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Act 1993. General Accounting Policies These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in New Zealand and on the basis of historical cost. Reliance is placed on the fact that the business is a going concern. Specific Accounting Policies The following specific accounting policies which materially affect the measurement of financial performance and financial position have been applied: Income Tax: The Board has been granted Charitable Status under the Charities Act 2005 and is exempt from Income Tax. Investments are valued at cost. Investment Income is recognised on an accrual basis where appropriate. Goods and Services Tax: The financial statements have been prepared on an exclusive basis with the exception of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable which include GST. Annual Practising Certificate Income: Annual Practising Certificate Income is recorded only upon receipt. No Accounts Receivable are recognized and receipts for Annual Practicing Certificates issued for the future years are shown as Income Received in Advance. Differential Reporting: The entity qualifies for differential reporting as it is not publicly accountable and is not large. The entity has taken advantage of all applicable differential reporting exemptions. Changes in Accounting Policies All accounting policies are unchanged and have been consistently applied. 2. Related Parties In accordance with SSAP 22 para 5.1(a) and para 5.1(b), the following disclosures are made: During the year Medical Radiation Technologists Board purchased secretariat services on normal trading terms from Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited. Members of the Board of Medical Radiation Technologists Board are directors of Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited. Medical Radiation Technologists Board owns 50% of the share capital of Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited. In the year to 31 March 2007, Medical Laboratory Science Board incurred expenses on behalf of Medical Radiation Technologists Board. These amounts are payable to Medical Laboratory Science Board. Medical Laboratory Science Board owns 50% of the share capital of Medical Science Secretariat Limited.
28 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31 March 2010 3. Financial Management Agreement Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited (MSS) has been established to provide business management support to the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRT) and the Medical laboratory Science Board (MLS). Medical Sciences Secretariat Ltd will provide financial management support to both the Medical Radiation Technologists Board and the Medical Laboratory Board according to a number of conditions: 1. MSS undertakes not to make a profit from its business partnership with MRT and MLS. 2. Each board will be invoiced monthly for an amount equivalent to the expenses incurred by MSS. 3. GST is charged on these expenses including those that did not originally include GST (e.g. wages). 4. MSS will return GST refunds as a 50-50 split to each board. 5. All MSS expenses will be evenly split and paid between MRT and MLS. 6. At the end of each month and the financial year, MSS will show a nil financial balance on all its operations. 4. Equity The following movements in Revenue Reserves have occurred: Retained Earnings 2010 2009 $ $ Opening Balance 519,991 378,391 Net Income Earned This Year 129,455 141,600 Closing Balance 649,446 519,991 5. Commitments There are no capital or other commitments at balance date (2009: $nil). 6. Contingent Liabilities There are no contingent liabilities at balance date (2009: $nil).