2014 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidelines

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2014 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidelines

Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) Accredited Sports Scientists (ASps)

Background The aim of continuing professional development (CPD) is to enable our accredited members - Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) and Accredited Sports Scientists (ASps) - to maintain and expand their professional competence. ESSAs guidelines for continuing professional development are based on the requirements for national registration for allied health professionals. These continuing professional development requirements apply to all ESSA accredited members as an exercise physiologist or sports scientist. Yearly requirements to maintain accreditation as an exercise physiologist/sports scientist:

1. A minimum of 20 CPD points per membership year (1 January 31 December) are required by all accredited exercise physiologists/sports scientists. There are two exceptions to this rule:

1. In the year you first become accredited where there are no CPD requirements e.g. if accredited on 15 September 2013, you will have from that date until the end of the following calendar year (31 December 2014) to accrue your first 20 CPD points. 20 CPD points are required annually thereafter i.e. January to December.

2. If your accreditation has been suspended and you are returning to practice then separate CPD requirements apply refer to ESSAs Return to Practice Policy.

2. Hold a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate (HLTCPR211A - Perform CPR or HLTAID001 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). Your CPR must always be valid and be renewed annually.

3. Hold a current first aid certificate (HLTFA311A First Aid or HLTAID003 Provide First Aid). Your first aid must always be valid and be renewed as required.

A copy of your Statement of Attainments for CPR and first aid must be with your CPD logbook yearly and if you are selected in ESSAs CPD compliance audit, these must be produced.

If a member is accredited as both an AEP and an ASp a total of 20 CPD points are required per year.

2014 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidelines

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The guidelines have been broken down into four (4) categories as follows: 1. Professional development: Points from this category are tailored to meet the needs of AEPs

and ASps involved in professional development delivery (either within the workplace, or as part of a formal education process), research and advocacy.

2. Further education: Points from this section are tailored to meet the ongoing professional development needs of AEPs and ASps, to maintain knowledge currency and evidence-based practice. All relevant professional development activities that are provided by others can be claimed within this category. Please note that there is a minimum of 15 CPD points required from further education.

3. Journal Reading: Points from this category are available to AEPs and ASps who undertake

self-directed professional development, such as the reading of relevant research, journals or publications from a professional source.

4. Community services: Points from this category are designed to reflect the contribution AEPs and ASps make to our industry and our colleagues (both students and peers).

It is important to remember that for any/each category and area you claim points for, you must keep a record of appropriate evidence that you have participated in this activity as indicated. Please note, working in the field as an AEP or ASp alone does not satisfy the continuing professional development criteria. Further details regarding each of the above categories and the points associated with different continuing professional development activities, along with a logbook to record these activities, are provided in ESSAs CPD Logbook and can be found at ESSA's Professional Development Centre. Declaration at registration renewal AEPs and ASps are required to make a declaration when renewing their membership each year with the association that they have complied with ESSAs CPD requirements. You are not required to provide your evidence or logbook unless requested via the annual random audit or special requests. Recordkeeping AEPs and ASps are required to keep written documentation of their annual CPD activities. These records must be kept for a minimum of 5 years. Records are to include:

a) Professional development goals for the year b) Evidence of CPD activity undertaken (e.g. Certificate of attendance, letter from employer for

internal activities) c) Notes from activity

ESSAs CPD logbook can be downloaded from ESSA's Professional Development Centre.

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Auditing AEPs and ASps are randomly selected to undergo the audit process. ESSA conducts an annual audit of 15% of accredited members for CPD compliance. If you are not audited you are not required to submit your CPD record to ESSA however your record must be kept for a minimum of 5 years. AEPs and ASps who are contacted by the association in relation to a CPD audit are given 28 days to provide their documentation to the national office. An audit can cover any period from 2012. If an AEP or Asp is unable to provide evidence, their accreditation will be immediately suspended pending satisfactory resolution, and regulatory bodies (such as Medicare) will be notified. The ESSA National Board may also require certain members, following an investigation into a complaint or concern about a member, to submit CPD evidence annually. Exemptions To apply for an exemption from completing the required annual CPD, an accredited member must provide details of the extraordinary situation that would allow for an exemption to be granted. Exemption applications are at the discretion of the National Board. Only situations that have created a significant obstacle to your ability to complete CPD will be considered. Scope of Practice CPD activities must:

Be relevant to a members current or future intended work within ESSAs documented scope of practice for AEPs, or relevant work within the sports science industry

Provide benefit to service users that the member serves i.e. clients or students Failing to complete required annual continuing professional development In the event that an accredited member fails to meet the required continuing professional development requirements set by the National Board, the Board may:

a) impose additional continuing professional development activities within a specified period, and/or;

b) require the member to undergo an annual continuing professional development audit the following year, or;

c) withdraw the members accreditation with the association Leave from accreditation ESSA has introduced a Suspension and Return to Practice policy for AEPs or ASps who take leave from the industry. Rules are based on 1-3 years, 3-5 years and 5+ years leave. For further information, please contact the Membership Services Officer at ESSA on 07 3862 4122. References 1. Physiotherapy Guidelines on Continuing Professional Development, Physiotherapy Board of

Australia, 2010 2. Pharmacy Guidelines on Continuing Professional Development, Pharmacy Board of Australia,

2010 3. Podiatry Guidelines on Continuing Professional Development, Podiatry Board of Australia, 2010 4. Psychology Guidelines on Continuing Professional Development, Psychology Board of Australia,

2010