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What's New?
Important
Notices (2)
1) Psychologists Board Review on Scopes of
Practice You are invited to read the consultation paper and make a submission.
Electronic copies of both the cover letter and consultation document are available from Anne Goodhead, Psychology Advisor : Tel: 04 4714584
The Ministry has produced a survey that you can complete online at: http://www.moh.govt.nz/mohsurveys.nsf/SurveyStart/Regulated+Health+Practitioner+Survey We wish to make it clear to all Psychologists that this questionnaire is being drawn to your attention at the request of the Ministry of Health and that the Psychologists Board does not necessarily endorse the questionnaire itself. Further information about the questionnaire and about the full HPCA Act review is available on the Ministry of Health's website (link above). The second stage of the review will be the release in mid 2008 of a discussion document - again open to submissions from any individual or organisation. That document may make recommendations for change. The final report will be delivered from the Director-General of Health to the Minister of Health by December 2008.
Steve Osborne MSc RClinPsych
Click here to skip to Latest News Thank you to all who took the time and effort to respond to our consultation on this proposal. For your interest the submissions have been collated and reported. Here the results for each question are presented without interpretation or editing, although there is some grouping of responses into themes. The Board did consider these submissions at the September meeting but has deferred making a decision on this scope while they review the use of vocational scopes in general. (Click here for your copy of the report) Consultation on Proposed Continuing Competence Programme This consultation stimulated a great deal of interest amongst psychologists, as reflected in the relatively high response rate. Thank you for your efforts in responding to this. The Board is now considering the way forward and will communicate that to you as soon as possible. In the meantime for your interest the collated submission responses are posted here. (Click here for your copy of the report) Psychologists Board News & Information
Legal Use of Professional Title
Board Member
Updates
Are You
Insured? PSYCHOLOGISTS BOARD NEWSLETTER (Winter 2008) For the most up to date News and Information download a PDF version of the Winter 2008 Issue - Newsletter: (click here).
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There is some important information you need to know about obtaining an APC for the 2008-2009 year, which is set out below and includes the relevant HPCA Act reference. · You must hold a current APC if you are practising as a registered psychologist in New Zealand. [Refer s7(2)] · Practising as a psychologist in New Zealand without an APC is an offence against the HPCA Act and is punishable on summary conviction by a fine of up to $10,000. [Refer s7(5)] · No registered psychologist holding a current APC may perform a health service outside their scope of practice and must comply with any conditions stated on their APC. [Refer s8] · Only "Educational Psychologists" and "Clinical Psychologists" may use these titles if they are registered in either vocational scope of practice. The same applies to "Intern Psychologists" and "Trainee Psychologists" registered in these respective scopes of practice. [Refer s7(1)] · To be considered fit to practice and eligible for an APC you need to maintain the required standard of competence, comply with any conditions on your scope of practice, complete any requirements of a competence programme, practise lawfully and be able to perform the functions required to practise the profession of psychology. [Refer s16] · If you do not intend to practise (anytime) in the 2008-2009 year (i.e. from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009) you must notify the Board so that the register of psychologists can be accurately maintained. · Payment may be made by cheque (payable to the "Psychologists Board") or by credit card (MasterCard or VISA only) and must accompany the APC application form. You are responsible for ensuring the correctly completed APC form accompanied by the fee payment is received by the Psychologists Board. It is a legal requirement of registered psychologists to ensure that the Board has your correct residential, postal and work address details. Send your changed address/contact details to the Board via our contact page (click here). |
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SCOPES OF PRACTICE - STATISTICS Of the numbers holding current APCs as at 5 September 2007, there were:
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Supervision 2000 Scheme - Trainee Psychologists The Supervision 2000 Scheme for Supervision is a structured, supervised and evaluated professional practice programme, which leads to registration in the Psychologist scope of practice. There are two Supervision 2000 Scheme agencies - NZ Defense Force and Child Youth & Family Services. On 13 April 2006, the Board resolved that given its prescribed functions under section 118 of the HPCA Act 2003, it would cease direct involvement in administering or contracting organisations to provide supervision schemes leading to registration as Psychologist. For more information contact the Deputy Registrar - Registrations, Mr Bill King (click here to email Bill) or call him on 04 471-4588. (click here to return to Registration Information: NZ Graduates)
Registration as an Intern Psychologist University students undertaking internships as part of their Degree or Postgraduate Diploma are required to be registered with the Board. These students are registered as "Intern Psychologists" and will be issued with an interim practising certificate (IPC) with conditions related to supervision. Registration requirements for Intern Psychologists are in the standard application form and include providing a record of criminal convictions and three character references (one of which must be from a psychologist registered in NZ by the Board). This registration process is a one-time requirement and establishes the student on the Register of Psychologists. On successful completion of the Post Graduate Diploma or Doctorate of Clinical Psychology course the student can apply for full registration in the scope they have qualified in. To ease the student's financial burden the registration application fee of $375.00 may be deferred until full registration is sought. The practising certificate fee of $297.50 (half the full APC fee) must be paid prior to the IPC being issued. Note to Employers - Employers should check that registered Intern Psychologist employees hold an interim practicing certificate (IPC). (click here to return to Registration Information: NZ Graduates)
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What
Information on the Psychologists Register is available to the public? The Board,
under section 138 of the Act, resolved to make only the minimum legal
information available to the public. This
does not include addresses of registered psychologists, but does include name,
registration qualifications, scope(s) of practice, any changes to scope(s) of
practice (e.g. conditions imposed), and whether an annual practising
certificate or interim practising certificate is held.
This information is available on the "Search the Register" function on the
website homepage.
The
Board for communication purposes may collect other information, including
address, telephone and email addresses, but this information does not form part
of the public register.
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items of
interest Changing
Address and Name Details Reminder: Remember to use the correct postcode when sending mail to the Board. Registered
psychologists are required under the Act to promptly give the Registrar of the
Board written notice of any change in postal address, residential address and,
if applicable, work address. Within
one month after a registered psychologist changes his/her name, written notice
of the new name must be given to the Registrar. Send your changed address/contact details to the Board via our contact page (click here).
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Cultural Competence Requirements "Standards of Cultural Competence for Psychologists registered under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 and those seeking to become registered" (May 2006)The Board has developed guidelines for registered psychologists and for those seeking to become registered. The guidelines have been developed to reflect the skill, knowledge and attitudes necessary for effective cultural practice. It is expected that all registered psychologists, regardless of their area of practice, consider and incorporate these guidelines. The Board expresses its thanks and appreciation to the NZ Psychological Society, the NZ College of Clinical Psychologists, individual contributors and the Medical Council of NZ in assisting with the development of this document. Click here for a copy of the Cultural Competence document. Section
118 (i) of the Act states that standards of cultural competence are to be
observed by health practitioners of the profession.
Cultural competence could be defined as a consistent demonstration of
a recognition and acceptance of the customary beliefs, social forms, and
material traits of all religious and social groups. Work is currently being done to develop these standards but
they could include: · That
practitioners' consider a patient's culture throughout care to enhance the
health outcome for the patient. ·
That
practitioners acknowledge that the Treaty of Waitangi has an intellectual and
applied place in treatment considerations for Maori patients.
Open and sincere communications are used to secure a partnership and
understanding of Maori needs that leads to improved health outcomes. ·
That
practitioners reflect on their practice and values and the impact of these on
patients outcomes. The
Board is also required under the Act to set standards of clinical competence
and ethical conduct to be observed by registered psychologists.
It is
suggested that Universities teaching psychology students, employers of
psychologists (e.g. DHBs, government agencies, etc.) engaging psychologists in
any kind of capacity under the Act take note of this requirement and include
cultural competence in some form or other in their practise.
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New
Information about Complaints and Discipline
The HPCA Act has
provided a range of new mechanisms that enable the Board to
exercise more flexibility in addressing concerns about psychologists' practice,
fitness and competence in a constructive and rehabilitative manner.
Agreement of a complaint matter by conciliation has been used in two complaint cases, and
the Board is very
optimistic about the potential for such approaches to satisfy the complainant,
improve the practice of the psychologist, and protect the public. It is
still possible that some cases will require full and formal investigation
(Professional Conduct Committees) and eventual hearings before the new Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (HPDT). More information about the HPDT is available from the HPDT
website http://www.hpdt.org.nz.
Best
Practice Approach
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Procedures for Investigating Complaints Complaints
to the Board against registered psychologists should be made in writing and be
sufficiently detailed. When the
Board receives a patient care complaint (i.e. a complaint alleging that the
practice or conduct of a health practitioner has affected a health consumer) it
is required to promptly send the complaint to the Health and Disability
Commissioner. The Commissioner may
also refer complaints to the Board after which the Board will assess the
complaint, consider the nature and circumstances of the complaint, and decide
on what action or actions it should take in response.
The
Board may decide to refer the complaint to a Professional Conduct
Committee ("PCC"). PCCs
will be comprised of two registered psychologists and one layperson.
(A 'layperson' means a person who is neither registered nor qualified to
be registered as a health practitioner). A
PCC will receive evidence and investigate a case.
This may include oral evidence and written submissions and statements
from a range of people involved, and where necessary, a clinical expert.
The PCC can also recommend suspension of a psychologist's practising
certificate if, at any time in the course of investigating the matter, the PCC
believes that the psychologist's practice poses a risk of serious harm to the
public. After completing the
investigation, the PCC can make a number of recommendations and one
determination. Recommendations include any of the following:
Determinations include one of the following:
For further information go to the "Complaints and Discipline" page on this website (click here) and/or download a copy of the Complaints Information Sheet (click here).
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Provisions to Undertake Competence Reviews The
Psychologists Board is required to oversee a system providing for Competence
Reviews ("Reviews") and Competence Programmes
("Programmes"). Concerning
Programmes, the Board is proposing to start simply, and to evolve protocols
that are more complex if these prove necessary. Reviews and Programmes are not disciplinary in nature.
A review is to assess the psychologist's competence, and is therefore evaluative
and educational in nature. Any
Programme arising from a review is remedial in nature. There
has to be significant concerns prompting Reviews, and the requests for these
Reviews are likely to come from professional colleagues, employers,
organisations such as the Health and Disability Commissioner, and the Board
(via PCCs). The Board has the
legal right to disregard concerns raised by other health practitioners if seen
as frivolous or vexatious. The
Board may at any time review the competence of a registered psychologist
holding a current practising certificate, whether or not there is reason to
believe that the psychologist's competence may be deficient. A
Competence Review Panel ("Panel") will be appointed consisting of
practitioners who are clinically competent, have good interpersonal skills, and
have some knowledge of performance and educational assessment relevant to the
scope of the person being reviewed. The
practitioner being reviewed will be told about the substance of the concerns
and the activities used to assess competence.
These activities may include reviewing written work, files, and
interviews with the practitioner, as well as commonly accepted assessment
tools. This practical component of the Review may take from half a day to a
full day depending on the breadth of the problem. Within
a month of conducting the Review, the Panel writes a report to the Board. If
the Panel has determined that the practitioner does not meet required
competence standards, then the Board must make one or more of the following
orders specified in the Act: ·
That the
practitioner undertakes and individual competence programme. If this is the
case, the Board works with the practitioner to collaboratively develop a
Programme to fill the gaps in skill, as described in the Review.
This will include specific objectives, educational activities, and an
agreed process of reporting or reassessment at the end of the process.
The Programme may also include the appointment of an educational or
clinical supervisor. The
Practitioner meets the cost of completing this programme; ·
That one or
more conditions be included in the practitioner's scope of practice; ·
That the
practitioner sit a specified examination or assessment; ·
That the
practitioner be counselled or assisted by one or more nominated persons." The
Board will meet the cost of a review.
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