I write on behalf of the three (3) health professions Councils and the Health Professions Authority (HPA) to update you on the mandated publication in the Gazette and the requirement of continuing education for all health professionals in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Publication of names of registered professionals
In keeping with Section 38. (2) of the Health Professions Ordinance, which requires that the names and addresses of all health professionals registered by the respective Councils be published in the Gazette at least once per year, the names currently registered have been submitted for publication in the next edition of the Gazette. Further, the list of all health professionals that are currently licenced to practisein the Turks and Caicos Islands during the calendar year 2021 is currently being published at the website of the HPA (https://www.gov.tc/hpa/ ) for all the various stakeholders and the lay public to reference.
The latter publication is in keeping with the statutory requirement to protect the public.
Professional development/ Continuing Education (CE) for all Health Professionals
In keeping with the Section 4.(c) of the Ordinance, and Section 19 of the Health Professions Regulations 2019, your respective Councils have established the minimum number of hours of continuing education required for the various cadres of health professionals each year. The latter is being implemented on a phased basis, whereby the requirement will be increased each year until the total targeted requirements are accomplished in the 3rd year. The details are provided below. On behalf of members of the various Councils and the staff of the HPA, I wish you continued good work in your various endeavours for the rest of the year!
Dr. Derrick Aarons MB.BS. (UWI); M.Sc. (Bioethics); PhD (McGill) – CEO, The Health Professions Authority
SCHEDULE 3
CONTINUING EDUCATION /PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
REQUIREMENTS BY THE MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY PROFESSIONS COUNCIL:
DOCTORS, DENTISTS, AND VETERINARIANS:
Twenty (20) hours of Continuing Education (CE) Units each year, to be accomplished as follows:
- Year 1 (2021): 7 CE credits - Four (4) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA); and three (3) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
- Year 2 (2022): 14 CE credits - Seven (7) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA), and seven (7) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
- Year >3: 20 CE credits – Ten (10) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA); and ten (10) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
REQUIREMENTS BY THE NURSING AND MIDWIFERY PROFESSIONS COUNCIL:
REGISTERED NURSES:
Twenty-five (25) hours of Continuing Education (CE) Units each year, to be accomplished as follows:
- Year 1 (2021): 8 CE credits - Four (4) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA); and four (4) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
- Year 2 (2022): 16 CE credits - Eight (8) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA), and eight (8) hrs from Informal Learning Actitivites.
- Year >3: 25 CE credits – Thirteen (13) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA); and twelve (12) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
CLINICAL NURSES:
Fifteen (15) hours of Continuing Education (CE) Units each year, to be accomplished as follows:
- Year 1 (2021): 5 CE credits - Three (3) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA); and two (2) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
- Year 2 (2022): 10 CE credits - Five (5) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA), and five (5) hrs from Informal Learning Actitivites.
- Year >3: 15 CE credits – Eight (8) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA); and seven (7) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
REGISTERED MIDWIVES:
Eighteen (18) hours of Continuing Education (CE) Units each year, to be accomplished as follows:
- Year 1 (2021): 6 CE credits - Three (3) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA); and three (3) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
- Year 2 (2022): 12 CE credits - Six (6) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA), and six (6) hrs from Informal Learning Actitivites.
- Year >3: 18 CE credits – Nine (9) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA); and nine (9) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDES AND CLIENT CARE ASSISTANTS:
Ten (10) hours of Continuing Education (CE) Units each year, to be accomplished as follows:
- Year 1 (2021): 4 CE credits - Two (2) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA); and two (2) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
- Year 2 (2022): 7 CE credits - Four (4) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA), and three (3) hrs from Informal Learning Actitivites.
- Year >3: 10 CE credits – Five (5) hrs from Formal Learning Activities (to include 2 hrs of CE – to be provided by the HPA); and five (5) hrs from Informal Learning Activities.
REQUIREMENTS BY THE ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND PHARMACY PROFESSIONS COUNCIL:
CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) HOURS:
| PROFESSION | CEs – 2021 | CEs – 2022 | CEs – 2023 |
| Pharmacist | 8 | 12 | 15 |
| Pharmacy Technician level 1 | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Pharmacy Technician level 2 | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Acupuncturist | 7.5 | 11 | 15 |
| Audiologist | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| Chiropodist | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| Chiropractor | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Clinical Psychologist | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| Dental Assistant | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| Dental Hygienist | 11 | 17 | 22 |
| Dental Therapist | 12 | 18 | 24 |
| Dietician | 9 | 14 | 18 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | 8 | 12 | 15 |
| Laboratory Technician | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Medical Assistant | 6 | 10 | 12 |
| Medical Device Reprocessing Technician | 2.5 | 4 | 5 |
| Medical Technologist | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Naturopathic Medicine | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| Nutritionist | 9 | 14 | 18 |
| Occupational Therapist | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Optometrist | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| Osteopath | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Paramedic | 15 | 23 | 30 |
| Physiotherapist | 6 | 10 | 12 |
| Podiatrist | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| Radiographer | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| Speech Therapist | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| Ultrasonographer | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Veterinary Technician | 5 | 8 | 10 |
FORMAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES BY ACCREDITED SPONSORS:
- Lectures, seminars; workshops; webinars
- Enduring materials – e.g. audio-visual, computer materials
- Peer-reviewed Journals
- International conferences / teleconferences
- Re-certification examinations
- Academic study leading to a medical or health care-related degree
INFORMAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
- Health professional designated activities
- Consultations with peers and health professions experts
- Developing and reviewing quality assessment data
- Use of electronic databases in patient care
- Small group discussions by health professionals
- Self-assessment health professions activities
- Journal club activities related to health care
- Tutoring health professionals
- Preceptorships in the health care setting
Note:
- 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) = 1 hour of ‘contact hours’
- College/University/Certificate courses may be accepted as contact hours
- All CE credits may be acquired through a virtual medium
- CE credits submitted as formal learning activities must be accredited by a recognized and creditable sponsor
- Validity period for CEs: January 1st – November 30th (Application for renewal of license for the ensuing year must be submitted during October – December of the current year)
- All professionals must complete at least a 2-hour mandatory CE session hosted by the Health Professions Authority (HPA)
- Professionals who provide specialized functions must complete a mandatory 2-hour CE session specific to that area.
- Each professional group will be required to acquire 50% of the recommended CE credits (predetermined according to international standards per profession) in year 1, 75% in year 2 and 100% in year 3 and beyond.
The Health Professions Authority (HPA) registers approved applicants and provides a licence to practise at the instructions of a health professions Council in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Some Turks & Caicos Islanders have been returning home from studies overseas in the health professions without being cognizant of the new requirements for registration in the health professions under the Health Professions Ordinance 2016.
All graduates who wish to practice within their health profession must first be registered with the respective health professions Council (the Medicine & Dentistry Professions Council; the Nursing and Midwifery Professions Council; and the Allied Health Professions & Pharmacy Professions Council), and once registered, must apply for a licence to practise – in order to be permitted to work legally in their profession within the country.
Of note, for those health professions in which a period of internship is required, satisfactory proof of the completion of such internship will also be required for registration.
The following provide the details of the documents required for registration and a licence to practise:
REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONS COUNCIL IN THE TCI:
Application for registration:
- An application shall be made to the relevant council and submitted to the secretary of that council.
- An application shall be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee as set out in Schedule 2.
- An application shall be accompanied by the following documents or information—
(a) notarized evidence of identity (Passport or National Identification Card);
(b) for applicants from non-English speaking countries, except if the applicant has earned their qualification from an institution based in an English speaking country, proof of earning a minimum of—
- (550 (paper-based test);
- 213 (computer-based test); or
- eighty (internet-based test), including over twenty points each on reading, listening, speaking or writing, in the Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL); or (iv) a test a score of six in the International Language Testing System (IELTS)
(c) original or notarized copy of relevant qualification in the health discipline in English, or an English translation from an authorized translator if copy of qualification is not in English; which qualification is—
- obtained from an internationally recognised university;
- recognised by an international professional body; or
- recognized by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP);
(d) original or notarized copy of evidence of completion of any internship, for graduates within twentyfour months of graduating;
(e) proof of clinical practice over the past twenty-four months (not applicable to recent graduates) ;
(f) satisfactory evidence of good character in the form of a police record certificate dated within the past three months to the date of application;
(g) original letter of good standing or online verification certificate of good standing, of not more than three months old, from applicant’s last registration body (country of employment), where applicable;
(h) original or notarized copy of the registration and current licence to practise in another jurisdiction (where applicable);
(i) proof of malpractice insurance bearing the applicant’s name, which can either be personally acquired or under a potential employer;
(j) detailed curriculum vitae;
(k) two passport size photographs, notarized on the back;
(l) three letters of reference sent directly to the Health Professions Authority from the applicant’s three referees as follows—
- one from applicant’s current or last employer;
- one from a fellow professional; and
- one from a person of good repute who knows the applicant well
(m) where applicable, a notarized copy of any change of name, conviction notices and disciplinary findings; and
(n) for an applicant who is not an Islander or a British Overseas territory citizen with connection to the Islands, a letter of intent from an employer within the Islands, indicating intention to employ the applicant.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A LICENCE TO PRACTISE:
(1) An application for a licence to practise in accordance with section 31 of the Ordinance shall be made in Form 3 set out in Schedule 1;
(2) An application shall be accompanied by an application fee as set out in Schedule 2; and
(3) The application should be accompanied by proof of malpractice insurance, liability insurance, or other indemnity cover, which can either be personally acquired or under a potential employer, to cover the period of licencing being applied for. It would be helpful for imminent graduates to secure these documents at the time of their graduation, and submit them prior to or immediately upon return to the country. All application forms may be accessed at the website of the Health Professions Authority: https://www.gov.tc/hpa/ .
If you have any further queries, please contact:
The Health Professions Authority
Town Center Mall – 2nd Floor
23 Parade Avenue, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands
Email:
Tel: (649) 338-5140
The Emergency Powers (Covid-19) (Health Professions) Regulations 2020 was made by the Governor under section 4(1) of the Emergency Powers Ordinance and article 6(1) of the Emergency Powers (Overseas Territories) Order 2017.
It came into operation on June 10, 2020 and shall expire on December 31, 2020, unless earlier revoked.
This Regulation extends the transitional period for registration for a health professional who before June 10, 2019, was registered and licensed as a health practitioner under the repealed Health Practitioners Ordinance. The Health Registrar, with the approval of the relevant Council, may endorse the extension of a practitioner on an existing licence, or issue an interim licence at a fee of $50 until December 31, 2020.
The Regulation states that a health professional who wishes to be registered and licensed as a practitioner in the Islands shall submit an application for registration and licensing under the Health Professions Ordinance no later than August 31, 2020. Health professionals are encouraged to continue to submit applications for registration with the Health Secretariat, noting the deadline of August 31, 2020. This will enable the Councils to complete the process of applications by December 31, 2020.
A person who submits an application shall follow the procedures set out in the Health Professions Ordinance and the Health Professions Regulations and ensure that the application complies with all the requirements set out under the Ordinance and Regulations; and that applications are submitted with the relevant documentation required as listed on page 4 of the application form for Registration.
Any new applications for health professionals who were not registered and licensed under the Health Practitioners Ordinance, may continue to be submitted as is provided in the Health Professions Ordinance and Regulations.
The government of the Turks & Caicos Islands is promoting good governance of the health care system. It has instituted a Health Secretariat, headed by a Health Registrar, Dr. Derrick Aarons MD, PhD, which will provide administrative support to three (3) professional Councils:
- The Medicine and Dentistry Professions Council
- The Nursing and Midwifery Professions Council
- The Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy Professions Council
This is the first time such councils have been established in the TCI. The establishment of the 3 health professions councils will ensure that all health professions are well represented and empowered to register, license, and regulate their respective health professions.
The Health Professions Ordinance 2016 also:
- Grants power to a council to establish and enforce standards of professional conduct and national guidelines for the provision of quality health services
- Grants power to a council to establish and promote high standards of education and training requirements of registered practitioners
Meetings were held with doctors and dentists on September 4, 2018, with nurses and midwives on September 5, and with pharmacists and allied health professionals on September 6, 2018 at the TCI Hospital to sensitize them regarding the introduction of the Health Professions Ordinance 2016, and the Health Appeals Tribunal Ordinance 2016. The professionals were also provided details regarding the functioning of the three (3) professional Councils. A code of ethics was also introduced which was developed specifically for the Health Professions working in the TCI.
Each session was well attended and interactive with representatives from the Hospital, Ministry of Health and private sector. The Minster of Health, Hon. Edwin Astwood, Permanent Secretary of Health, Mrs. Desiree Lewis and Deputy Secretary Mrs. Tamera Howell Robinson were in attendance to lend their support to this initiative.
For additional information please call 338-5140.
Above - Permanent Secretary for Health Agriculture Sports and Human Services, Mrs Desiree Lewis.
Below - Members of the Medical and Dental professions in attendance:
Representatives from the Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy Professions in attendance:
Below – Representative of the Nursing Professions in attendance:
Below - Dr Derrick Aarons, Health Registrar:
