Update from the Health Professions Authority (HPA)

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

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. 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) = 1 hour of ‘contact hours’
2. College/University/Certificate courses may be accepted as contact hours
3. All CE credits may be acquired through a virtual medium
4. CE credits submitted as formal learning activities must be accredited by a recognized and creditable sponsor
5. 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)
6. All professionals must complete at least a 2-hour mandatory CE session hosted by the Health Professions Authority (HPA)
7. Professionals who provide specialized functions must complete a mandatory 2-hour CE session specific to that area.
8. 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.

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