Continuing Professional Development for Members

CPD - Have you noticed the changes?

The CPD Panel spent the greater part of 2007/2008 reviewing the CPD programme, with the aim of providing more guidance for participants, and removing some of the ambiguity that existed in some of the sections.

It is important that all CPD participants are aware of the changes, and contact the CPD Panel if there are any queries. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the new guidelines, so that you are best positioned to ensure you can maximize your CPD opportunities. These new guidelines were effective as of 1 August 2008.

Some important points to note in the new guidelines

For all new and re-registering participants in the credit option, the following changes have been made.

These changes are effective as of 1 August 2008.

The NZIMRT CPD Credits option now requires a participant to accrue 30 credits over a 2 year period for all new and re-registering participants.

The increase of 6 credits will be achieved through the introduction of 2 new mandatory sections:

• Submission of a CV and CPD plan - 3 credits
• Evaluation of CPD plan immediately prior to completion - 3 credits

Why the changes?

The Medical Radiation Technologist's Board (MRTB) has determined that CPD is one of the methods they will use to determine an individual's continued competency. For that reason, the majority of CPD needs to reflect an individual's scope of practice, and needs to reflect two years work. The MRTB randomly audit 10% of practitioners annually and this audit involves a review of all CPD material. The Credit option as it was being fulfilled made it difficult to ascertain scopes of practice and / or relevant CPD choices. The CPD Panel believed the NZIMRT CPD Credit option needed to better support participants by including the changes to ensure these did not become issues at MRTB audit.

Why write a CV?

The inclusion of curriculum vitae (CV) assisted in clarifying scopes of practice and CPD directions. Writing a CV can assist an individual in planning their CPD so that they gain the most reward from the extra activities. It has a double fold purpose as having an up to date CV means an individual is always prepared for that unexpected job opportunity.

Why do I need to write a plan?

Writing a CPD plan helps clarify ideas around how the necessary credits will be achieved over the two year cycle. It provides a mechanism for ensuring a participant has included activities to cover their scope(s) of practice adequately. A CPD plan is one that demonstrates the types of activities and / or events that the participant believes will best fulfill their requirements for continuing education. It is not a career plan that is being requested. Many participants aim to attend a large conference or workshop at some stage during the cycle and in so doing gain a large number of credits for one event. This often means that the remaining CPD entries are minimal or sporadic. A plan provides evidence, if audited by the MRTB part way through a cycle, that continuing education is an important part of professional planning and activity for the individual.

Evaluating the plan?

This often provides the greatest learning tool throughout the whole continuing education cycle. It encourages the participant to reflect on their education opportunities, comment on whether they were productive opportunities and what was learned in the process. It is learning that impacts practice that is the purpose behind continuing professional development being part of the proof of competency in order to maintain an Annual Practicing Certificate (APC).

Credits Updates

• There is an addition to Section 3.17 - Peer reviewers of articles / books for publishing - 3 credits per annum
• 3.18 - assessment of NZIMRT CPD Portfolios - 1 credit per portfolio to a maximum of 6 credits per annum

Any queries please contact the CPD Panel - cpd@nzimrt.co.nz

All evaluation forms required for both the Credits & Portfolio option are now on the website listed under CPD Forms. These can be downloaded so that participants can complete them electronically f they choose and print the completed version.

Please ensure your CPD activities reflect your scope of practice and if you have more than one scope, ensure that all scopes are covered.

If you are participating in the credits option, ensure you complete evaluations for all the sections that require them – workshops, conferences, workplace programmes.

Please remember that when you have completed your CPD you need to send in your re-enrolment along with your CPD records.

NZIMRT CPD Tips For Event Organisers

• CPD approval can be given for an individual event, like a study day, or for a regular CPD activity throughout the year, such as an in-service programme (see scenario 1).        
• If you are holding a CPD activity, you must keep a record of attendees for audit purposes. You may be requested to provide a copy of the attendees list to the CPD Panel to confirm attendance. 
• CPD Credits Approval – only required if your activity does not fit within those listed in the black CPD certification booklet or you want to use the NZIMRT CPD Credit Approval Logo on your advertising. Most branches and organisers of NZIMRT study days/conferences/workshops, etc, should apply for credits so the event can be advertised with the number of credits approved.
• Verifying Attendance at CPD Activities – You are required to verify a participant’s attendance either by signature in the verification column of the CPD Credits Activity Record or by issuing a certificate of attendance. Please remind participants that they must complete an evaluation summary of the event.

If you are unsure as to where your activity sits, or whether your activity complies, please contact the CPD Administrator: nzimrt@nzimrt.co.nz 

To Register for CPD contact cpd@nzimrt.co.nz

For forms relevant to CPD Application, Evaluation and Points Credit see the CPD Forms section on this website.

If you have an approved CPD activity planned, please tell everyone through this website. Contact webmaster@nzimrt.co.nz with details.