ACMDTT Internal Matters
Summer 2017 Inside this issue:
ACMDTT Newsletter
Celebrate that you are a self-regulated professional!
Explore what it means to be selfregulated and why we should celebrate it. Find out why its important to have Professional Liability Insurance (PLI)
Celebrate selfregulation
1
President’s Message
2
AGM & Conference
3
What it means to be regulated
4
Honourary Life Membership
5
College engagement
6
Online Calendar
7
Audit of CCP
7
Understanding PLI
8
The Deciding Factor
10
Opportunities
11
About Us
12
Celebrate your profession and be proud that you are viewed as a professional through self-regulation. Celebrate the fact that when your family goes for medical diagnostic and therapeutic services, they are going to be assured of receiving safe, ethical and competent care anywhere in Alberta. You can search the public register on the ACMDTT’s website and validate that the person has a valid practice permit, and is able to practice in the province. Celebrate the effects of self-regulation if someone is NOT meeting the standards of the profession. If an individual is terminated from their employer and the College investigates their conduct, you are assured that they will not simply get a job elsewhere before the issues that resulted in termination are addressed by the College. The standards of your profession are upheld. If someone from another province or country comes to work in Alberta, you are assured that their qualifications, experience and competency is assessed sufficiently to ensure that they are going to provide safe, competent and ethical practice. Celebrate the fact that regulation sets the same standards for all who are practicing in “Your dedication and Alberta, regardless if they’re from the devotion through province or have been practicing from elsewhere.
regulation to serve the
As technology has shifted and evolved, celebrate with confidence that your professionalism speaks colleagues are evolving as well and are competent to perform at an appropriate highly of you!” standard with that new technology, regardless of how long they have been practicing. You are assured that they are responsible and accountable professionals, as they have maintained currency with their continuing competency requirements. Through regulation, they will not engage in any act for which they do not possess the necessary knowledge, skills and experience. This is the essence of public safety. ...continued on page 3
public with the utmost
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ACMDTT Internal Matters
President’s Message Happy summer! It’s been a very active spring and we’re continuing that momentum though the summer and into fall! I had the pleasure of meeting many of you at the ACMDTT annual conference in April. We had a really great few days of networking and learning! Also this spring, CEO/Registrar Karen Stone and I attended the National Network meeting in Ottawa, as well as the CAMRT/OAMRS (Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists/Ontario Association of Medical Radiation Sciences) Conference. We should be very proud of our College! The ACMDTT is very well respected on a national scale with many of the unregulated provinces looking to us as a leader. Much of the focus at these National meetings is to collaborate with the other provinces to discuss challenges and successes of each province. Because not all provinces in Canada regulate the MRT profession, there are substantial differences. However, all provinces share passion for their profession by working together to advocate for MRTs and equip them with the necessary tools to ensure they are “The ACMDTT is very well offering high level patient care to the public. We also celebrated ENP week this spring, acknowledging appreciation of electroneurophysiology technologists throughout Alberta. The ACMDTT Council is again embracing change as we say goodbye to some outgoing Council members; William Gene, ENP and Kyla MacLachlan, MRT(R). Thank you William and Kyla for your generous support and contributions to the College!
respected on a national scale with many of the unregulated provinces looking to us as a leader.”
We also welcome our new Council members starting their terms on July 1st. We look forward to working with Omer Hussein, MRT(R), Laurie Walline, MRT(NM); Gail Astle, MRT(R); and Jessica Cherwick, ENP as our new council members. There will be lots of engaging work and positive change to come in the near future as we welcome sonographers to the College. Have a great summer! Kelly Sampson President of ACMDTT Council
Summer 2017
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… continued from page 1 “Celebrate that you are a self-regulated professional!” When you work alongside a student who is currently enrolled in an accredited institution, you are confident that they have been properly trained. Their program is accredited through an accreditation system identified and approved by the regulator. Celebrate the assurance that their educational program is mapped to a competency profile that the Council of the ACMDTT has approved. This is a connection of your regulator to your profession. Congratulations on being a self-regulated professional. Your dedication and devotion through regulation to serve the public with the utmost professionalism speaks highly of you, your colleagues, your employers, as well as students and their educators. Your commitment to providing safe, competent and ethical care differentiates you from those who are not regulated. It is definitely something to be proud of and to celebrate! Click here for more information on regulation and the Health Professions Act (HPA).
2017 Annual AGM and Conference Annual General Meeting The 2017 ACMDTT Annual General Meeting was held on April 8, 2017 in Calgary in concurrence with the Annual Conference. The 2016 Annual Report was presented and the bylaws were revised, reviewed and approved at the AGM. 2017 ACMDTT Annual Conference The 2017 ACMDTT Annual Conference held in Calgary on April 7-8 was a big success. There were over 300 attendees at the conference, with 36 presentations, the Annual Awards Luncheon, and networking opportunities throughout the two days. A post-conference survey was sent to the attendees. Over 95% of the respondents rated the quality of the conference excellent conference as excellent or good. One of the respondents commented, “I always love the or good.” opportunity to be part of the conferences. Well done everyone! Always a wide variety of subject matter that appeals to everyone in every discipline.”
”95% rated
The survey response also indicated that 98% of the respondents felt that the “overall organization of the conference” was either excellent or good. A respondent indicated “Well organized and a very good array of speakers brought forward to this event!” A special thank you is extended to all of the volunteers, speakers and sponsors who made the conference a success.
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ACMDTT Internal Matters
What is means to be regulated When you reflect on what self-regulation does for you, stand taller, be proud, and make sure that you take a moment to acknowledge with confidence and professionalism, that you are an integral member of the healthcare system. Although it’s only been 12 years since medical diagnostic and therapeutic technologists have been regulated, the level of professionalism within the specialties have since been elevated immensely. Within Alberta, the specialties of electroneurophysiology technologists; magnetic resonance technologists; radiological technologists; radiation therapists; and nuclear medicine technologists have evolved through self-regulation, increasing the level of assurance that the public is receiving safe, competent and ethical care. Self-regulation is a privilege accorded to members of a profession by the government of Alberta on behalf of the people of Alberta. It is a provincial health profession issue. This enhances members of a profession being recognized as professionals, in the interests of the members of the public whom they serve. Many professions “Self-regulation is a (including sonographers) have been fighting for the right to selfregulate for decades in Alberta and across Canada. privilege. Many professions A regulator issues a licence to practice to members registered under that College. A member must meet defined parameters of professional conduct; abide by the Standards of Practice; and meet their regulatory obligations. If a member does not carry through on these requirements, the College can remove their license to practice.
have been fighting for the right to self-regulate for decades in Alberta and across Canada.”
There is a major distinction between a regulatory College and a professional association. Colleges have legally defined processes and authority under the law. Regulation is in the best interest of the public. Associations focus on advocating for the best interest of the members. You do not have to be a member of an association to practice, however it is the law to be a member of a regulatory health College to practice. There is no legal authority for an association to prevent any person who is found guilty of unprofessional conduct in Alberta from practicing. You can belong to both a regulatory College and an association simultaneously, but you must be a member of the College to have a permit to practice. The law requires that employers only hire and employ registered members of their respective Colleges. If you were not regulated, employers would have to bear the responsibility of setting standards of practice, and this means that these standards would be inconsistent across the province, and between employers. Also, if an unregulated person gets terminated by one employer for conduct deemed unprofessional, they can literally walk across the street and be employed by another employer. When you are regulated, this doesn’t happen because employers have to notify the regulator if they terminate or suspend a member for unprofessional conduct – it’s in the legislation, and consequently the public is protected. To find out more about ACMDTT regulation, click here.
Summer 2017
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2017 ACMDTT Honourary Life Membership Recipients The ACMDTT recognized two individuals at the College’s Annual Awards Luncheon for their outstanding dedication, commitment and contributions to their professions. We were proud to honour Terry Ell and Kathy Hilsenteger with ACMDTT Honourary Life Memberships. Terry Ell, RTNM, PhD, FCAMRT, has devoted himself to the development of MRTs provincially, nationally and internationally. He began his career as a nuclear medicine technologist in 1980 and over the years has been involved with many aspects of the profession. As an instructor in the nuclear medicine program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), he has touched the lives of multiple classes of students. For more than three decades, in the role of Clinical Instructor in Nuclear Medicine at Calgary’s Foothills The recipients Medical Centre, he has positively exemplified ”outstanding influenced the professional lives of more than a full generation dedication, commitment of technologists.
and contributions”
He is currently the Vice President of the Americas for the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT). He has spoken as an ISRRT representative at the Pan American Health Organization, a branch of the World Health Organization, as well as at conferences in Brazil, Trinidad and Barbados. He has held numerous volunteer positions with CAMRT, including being the CAMRT representative on the Medical Isotopes and Imaging Modalities Advisory Committee. He was also involved in the policy development for the formation of the ACMDTT. Kathy Hilsenteger, RTT, ACT, started her career in the profession as a radiation therapist. She was a Council member of the Alberta Association of Medical Radiation Therapists (AAMRT) and was instrumental as the AAMRT membership organization transformed into the regulatory ACMDTT, as she was the College’s first CEO/Registrar. She helped develop the College at the provincial and national levels, liaising with organizations such as the CAMRT, CAET and Sonography Canada. She was a founding member of the Alliance of MRT Regulators of Canada. She is currently the Executive Director of the Alberta Federation of Regulated Health Professions. For a full list of the 2017 Awards recipients, click here.
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ACMDTT Internal Matters
College engagement throughout Alberta and Canada The College has engaged with numerous partners across Canada through spring, sharing and learning best practices, addressing key issues and building upon continuous growth of regulation. ACMDTT President and CEO/Registrar were in Ottawa to meet with the CMRTO (College of Medical Radiation Technology of Ontario), the AMRTRC (Alliance of Medical Radiation Technologists Regulators of Canada) and the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT), and the Canadian National Network of the profession of Medical Radiation Technology. In May, ACMDTT representatives attended the Sonography Canada Conference in Vancouver, and presented to the Board of Sonography Canada, and met with all the large employers of sonographers in Alberta.
CAMRT Conference in Ottawa. Pictured from left to right, top row:
In June, the ACMDTT will be participating in the Canadian Association of Electroneurophysiology Technologists (CAET) Conference in Victoria, and will provide a session on regulation and the tripartite agreement between CAET/ CBRET and ACMDTT.
Jenna Bruderer of Manitoba AMRT; ACMDTT's Karen Stone, CEO/ Registrar; Nicole Jenkins, Newfoundland & Labrador; Tyler Ferrish, PEI; Megan Brydon, Nova Scotia; Jennifer Carey, New Brunswick; Melanie Hikewich, Saskatchewan; Kelly Sampson, President of ACMDTT Council. Pictured from left to right, bottom row : Jacqueline Wallace, BC, and Robert Mahon, Ontario.
The Deputy Registrar will be participating in the Executive Leadership Program for Regulators in Winnipeg, coordinated by the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation. Throughout the province, the College has provided presentations on regulation for diagnostic medical sonographers (DMS), in public health services (Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health), physician community clinics (Medical Imaging Consultants, Insight Medical Imaging, Canada Diagnostic Centres, EFW Radiology), and educational institutions (NAIT, SAIT). Upcoming presentations include Echocardiography in Calgary, Central Alberta Medical Imaging Services (CAMIS) in Red Deer, as well as Pureform Radiology and Mayfair Diagnostics in Calgary. CPSA Opportunity: Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Assessor The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta is looking for medical imaging technologists or sonographers for a “Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Assessor� position. For more information, click here.
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Summer 2017
2016/17 Audit of the Continuing Competence Program For the annual audit of the Continuing Competence Program (CCP), 235 regulated members are required to submit their CCP for audit by the Competence Committee. Of this audit sample, 19 regulated members were directed to audit by the Registrar and Competence Committee with the remaining names on the list coming from a random computer-generated sample. Email notification was sent out to these members (at the email address provided to the College) during the week of June 12. As requested, the audited members must provide, via the mandatory My CCP platform, their self-assessment, learning plan and hours of reflective learning. Provision to the College is completed by the selected members pressing the submit button that will be populated into their My CCP platform on September 1. Only at this time will the College be able to see the regulated member’s detailed CCP entries.
During an audited process, the College does not have access to any non-audited member’s CCP entries.
Please note: The College can only view the CCP cycle for which the regulated member is being audited. All other cycles remain confidential. During an audit process, the College does not have access to any non-audited member’s detailed CCP entries. These are entirely confidential. The member’s submission is pre-screened by the Director of Education, who provides feedback and guidance to the member in order to increase the member’s chance of success on this audit. (This is a further example of the College’s attempts to ensure all members are properly supported and guided within their regulatory obligations.) From this screening, the members’ submissions are provided to the Competence Committee in October to complete the audit. Members are notified of their result, and any required follow up, within two weeks of the process. To learn more about the Continuing Competence Program, click here.
Online Calendar The College has a new feature on its website with a home page calendar. The easy-to-use calendar is functional, informative and transparent. The calendar highlights ACMDTT meetings, outreach presentations, activities and events, as well as the College’s participation with organizations such as educational institutes, national and provincial organizations, other health Colleges and more. Keep updated on what’s happening with your College by checking out the calendar at www.acmdtt.com
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ACMDTT Internal Matters
Understanding Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) Professional liability insurance (PLI), also known as malpractice insurance, provides coverage for claims that may arise from practicing a profession. The ACMDTT has always believed that it is important for all regulated members to carry PLI because it is in the best interests of patients and healthcare practitioners that such insurance exists to protect the rights and interests of all concerned. What is the PLI requirement? The Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists Profession Regulation requires that regulated members (holding either a full or temporary practice permit) must have the type and amount of professional insurance required by the ACMDTT Council. Policy approved by Council specifies that the minimum limits of liability per occurrence required by the ACMDTT is $1,000,000. The College requires confirmation of PLI from applicants through their application form, and from regulated members through their annual registration renewal. Why PLI is important for regulated members? PLI protects you against claims alleging errors, omissions or negligence arising from your professional services. It financially protects you when courts award patients financial damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit. In addition to paying claims on behalf of the insured, PLI provides you with legal representation and investigates claims. Liability coverage provides peace of mind by enabling you to perform your job duties without the worry that your financial assets will be lost in the event of a lawsuit.
“The College encourages you to always hold your own personal PLI, in addition to your employer’s insurance”
Some examples of claims that are useful to consider are: Disciplinary scenario: A patient filed a complaint with a College alleging that the technologist had touched her inappropriately during an x-ray exam and was uncomfortable with the manner in which she was handled during the test. The insured member retained a lawyer to assist with the response to the College and to attend the hearings. The College concluded the member was not guilty of professional misconduct. Insurer paid $12,125 in legal fees. Negligence scenario (Civil Law Proceeding): A patient reported sustaining injuries from lack of proper attention/negligent assistance while undergoing x-rays and retained a lawyer to claim for damages. Insurer hired an independent adjuster to investigate and it was found the technologist had been negligent in that matter. Insurer paid $5,500 (bodily injury settlement + $1,424 in adjusting fees) ...continued on page 7
Summer 2017
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… continued from page 8 “Understanding Professional Liability Insurance” Who provides PLI coverage? Members are responsible for ensuring that they have the required insurance coverage from the following: Type of insurance
Source
Personal Insurance
Gained through a private provider or through membership of an Association
Employer's Insurance
Employment by Alberta Health Services or Employment at an independent facility that may provide PLI coverage
A recent sample of 233 members shows that a majority of members hold personal PLI.
The College encourages you to always hold your own personal PLI, in addition to your employer’s insurance because: Employer policies do not cover expenses such as legal defence in professional disciplinary matters. Employer’s insurance company may sue you for reimbursement of any money they paid out as a result of your actions. All activities you perform may not always be covered by your employer’s insurance policy. Your personal PLI follows you. This is particularly important if you work at multiple sites with more than one employer. Your employer insurance may not cover you for any advice or volunteering you do outside of your work. When you retire or leave employment, it covers you for a period of time which patients may still bring a claim against you. Please remember that membership with your national association will provide your personal insurance, along with an array of professional learning resources, career advancement opportunities and professional advocacy.
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The Deciding Factor
ACMDTT Internal Matters (These do not reflect actual members, but are scenarios which can occur.)
Scenario: Sally is a new ENP member with the College. She became a full ACMDTT member on February 22, 2017. She is keen to ensure that she meets her regulatory obligations; however, is confused with what she must complete for the Continuing Competence Program (CCP). Question to be asked:
What must Sally do to be compliant with the CCP? In order to be compliant, Sally must complete all three components of the CCP on the My CCP platform within the CCP cycle (September 1 – August 31). The three components are the self-assessment, the learning plan and reflective learning. As Sally became a member in February, she must complete 14 hours of learning (two hours per month or part thereof in which she holds a full practice permit) that she can reflect how it has or may/will impact her practice.
What determines what these obligations are? The three components of the CCP are legislated in the Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists Profession Regulation (the regulations). This law stipulates that each member must complete on an annual cycle a self-assessment, a learning plan and undergo reflective learning. The Competence Committee, a group of members whose role is to oversee the CCP, further delineates member requirements based on the Health Professions Act, the Regulations, Council policy, the College Bylaws and their own policies.
Why must Sally do this? In order to renew her practice permit, Sally must have been in compliance with the CCP for the time that she has been a full member. Without compliance, Sally puts her practice permit at risk and therefore may not be able to practice her profession.
What Standards of Practice apply to this scenario? Here are a few indicators which apply to this situation from a regulatory perspective: Indicator 2.1g – adhere to legal obligations required by the College Indicator 2.2d – self-reflect and develop performance goals to enhance professional effectiveness Indicator 2.2e – undertake continuing professional development Indicator 2.2f – participate in the College’s Continuing Competence Program New Scenario Bill is a radiological technologist practicing in CT. A patient presents at the department and is quite agitated that they are having “the third scan of this kind in a six month period”. The patient demands to speak with someone and the department clerk approaches Bill to attend to the patient. When Bill approaches the patient, the patient raises their voice, in frustration, to Bill. Questions to be asked: How should Bill respond to the patient? How should Bill not respond to the patient? What tools are available to the technologist to handle such situations? What Standards of Practice apply to this scenario?
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Opportunities to engage and grow in your profession The College offers members opportunities to become more engaged in making meaningful contributions to the professions that we regulate. Become a Hearings Tribunal Member ACMDTT is looking for individuals who would like to be more involved with the College’s overall regulation and compliance of their peer group. As a Hearings Tribunal Member, you would play a vital role in the College’s Mission of ensuring that the public receives safe, competent and ethical care. The College takes all professional conduct complaints seriously and manages each in an objective and confidential process to ensure fairness. The College does not have many hearings, so the commitment could be minimal. You would become part of a growing Tribunal Membership. Comprehensive training will be provided. The requirements would generally involve a day’s participation in a hearing with time for making your decision and debriefing the decision. Your travel, lunch and expenses would be provided, and you will be eligible for CCP credits. You would have access to a lawyer which whom you could confer and take advice as you deliberate on the issues before you, if needed. For more information on becoming a Tribunal Member, please click here. Opportunity to be part of the College’s investigation team Do you want to be more involved with College matters? Why not apply to be a complaints investigator? ACMDTT is looking for individuals that would like to be more involved with the College’s overall regulation and compliance of their peer group. By becoming an investigator for the College, we offer you training in workshops such as investigator & inspector training. For more detailed information, click here. Call for Competence Committee Members The College is seeking four regulated members to volunteer on the Competence Committee. The term of office is three years, beginning September 1, 2017. This Committee is responsible to: monitor that individual registered members comply with the requirements of the Continuing Competence Program monitor the components of the Continuing Competence Program in order to accurately reflect current needs to enhance the provision of professional services Member qualifications: you must be a regulated member of the College you must be able to travel to Edmonton for meetings held on work days up to two times a year If you are interested in this opportunity, or have further questions, please contact: Dacia Richmond, Director of Education drichmond@acmdtt.com Please respond by August 15, 2017.
Vision Statement: Leaders in diagnostic and therapeutic healthcare serving Albertans ALBERTA COLLEGE OF MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC TECHNOLOGISTS
Mission Statement The Alberta College of Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic
ACMDTT Suite 800 4445 Calgary Trail Edmonton AB T6H 5R7 780.487.6130 1.800.282.2165 Fax: 780.432.9106 info@acmdtt.com
Specialties ACMDTT regulates: Radiological Technologists MRT(R) Radiation Therapists MRT(T) Magnetic Resonance Technologists - MRT(MR) Nuclear Medicine Technologists - MRT(NM) Electroneurophysiology Technologists - ENP
To find out more about the specialties, click here
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Technologists exists so that the public is assured of receiving safe, competent and ethical diagnostic and therapeutic care by a regulated and continually advancing profession.
Branch information The Branches have been established by council and exist to promote the College’s interest in membership services by providing: Educational opportunities Networking opportunities Forum for discussion Peace Country Branch Branch Chair: Tunde Bodi, MRT(R) (PeaceCountryMRTb@outlook.com) The Branch would like to put out a call for volunteers for those interested in participating with the Branch Executive. Member participation is essential to ensure that educational and networking opportunities are available to those in the Branch. These volunteers can be from anywhere in the Peace Country Branch area! Please contact Tunde Bodi, MRT(R) (PeaceCountryMRTb@outlook.com) Edmonton Branch Branch Chair: Kathy Dudycz, MRT(R) (kdudycz@hotmail.com) Education Day: October 28, 2017 Parkland Branch Branch Chair: Jeff Christenson, MRT(R) (Jeff.Christenson@albertahealthservices.ca) Calgary Branch Branch Chair: Gina McRae, MRT(R) (gina.mcrae@albertahealthservices.ca) Education Day: October 21, 2017 (tentative) Southern Alberta Branch Branch Chair: Carmen Lowry, MRT(R) (carmen.lowry@gmail.com) ENP Branch Branch Chair: Angie Sarnelli, ENP (angie.sarnelli@albertahealthservices.ca) Education Day: September 30, 2017
Inspirational Insight: One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others - Lewis Carol