Society of Cardiopulmonary Technology Inc.

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Clinical Physiologists Registration Board (CPRB)

NOVEMBER 2007

Registration of Clinical Physiologists and Physiology Technicians ensures that there is a minimum quality standard applied to all those who work in the field of clinical physiology in New Zealand (NZ). It is a reference for employers when appointing new staff and aims to protect the public by ensuring a national standard is attained by all staff in these professions. Clinical Physiology encompasses: Cardiac, Respiratory and Sleep Technologists / Physiologists / Scientists; and also ECG / Cardiac / Physiology Technicians. Registration is currently voluntary in NZ and can be obtained through the Clinical Physiologists Registration Board (CPRB).

In November 2006 the CPRB submitted an application to the Ministry of Health (MOH) of the inclusion of our professions under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act (HPCAA). We expect our HPCAA application to be sent out for consultation in the near future. Acceptance of this application will formalise registration of these professions in NZ and registration will become compulsory at this time.

The Clinical Physiologists Registration Board is not a part of SCT, but is affiliated with the SCT.

Who should Register

NOV 2007

All staff who work full time or part time performing cardiac, respiratory or sleep testing as a routine part of their job should be registered with the CPRB. For more information see the guidelines.

Please note: A change has been made to Continuing Professional Development with the addition of the Self Directed Learning form. For those of you who require this information, please download the form and example from the menu on the left.

International Applications

APR 2008

In order to apply for registration with the Clinical Physiologists Registration Board in New Zealand you should complete the “Initial Registration Application Form” and post it to:

Secretary
Clinical Physiologists Registration Board
c/- Cardiac Physiology
Auckland City Hospital
Private Bag 92024
Auckland
New Zealand

Please ensure your have included the following documents and information:

Your curriculum vitae (CV) - please ensure this includes details of what procedures you were performing during each of your previous jobs, exact dates for starting and finishing in each job and the hours worked /week for each employment position
References from previous employers and/or official conformation of employment dates
Certified copies of your qualifications
A detailed description of what was covered in your relevant University Qualifications, including: course duration, practical components, assessment or examinations taken (including your grades) a syllabus for each paper (if possible), a web site address for the university and contact name for the course.

This detailed information is required so that the board can adequately assess your professional qualifications and so determine whether the course content and level are similar to that which is required within NZ.

Once all of the required information and payment have been received your application should be processed within 1-2 weeks. If you need proof of registration status urgently, for immigration purposes please indicate this with your application.

Note: you do not need to apply for an annual practicing certificate at this stage. This should be done once you have started work in NZ.

Note: In order to gain registration in New Zealand you must be a member of the professional society. For Cardiac Physiologists this is "SCT" membership. You need to go to the Membership page of this website and download the Membership Application form. This must be posted to the SCT along with payment before your registration application can be processed. You may send both the SCT membership and Registration documents together as the postal address is the same. If you are a current member of the SCST, please include a copy of your membership certificate. Please Click Here to transfer to the Membership page.

Please note your fee payment must be in NZ$ with the cheque made out to “Clinical Physiologists Registration Board”.

2007 APC Renewals and Fee Payment Changes

AUGUST 2007

The APC round has finished for 2007 and the board has met to discuss all the applications. Your APC certificates will be sent out to shortly. If you missed this round, then complete the correct forms (found to your left) and post them to the CPRB secretary where they will be dealt with on an individual basis. It is never too late to register!

We will no longer be invoicing hospitals for registration and APC fees. You are now required to pay the fee upfront and then apply to your manager for a refund. This is to allow easier tracking of who has and has not paid and it also follows the standard practice of other medical professions.

What is HPCAA

MAY 2007

The HPCAA is intended to provide a framework for the regulation of health practitioners in order to protect public health and safety. The objective of HPCAA is to provide a single framework covering a diverse range of health professional occupational groups. There are 15 authorities (E.g. Medical, Nursing, Dental councils) which are described in the NZ Gazette Supplement. Further information on the HPCAA can be found at the Ministry of Health website. See the links section on the left.

CPRB submission to HPCAA

APR 2008

An application by the CPRB for regulation under the Health practitioners Competency Assurance Act (HPCA) was submitted last year and our submission has gone out for consultation. The HPCA is currently under review and this review will not be completed until early 2009. We have not heard whether our application has been accepted at this stage but we will continue with the voluntary system that is currently in place until we hear the outcome from the Ministry of Health.

The History of Registration in NZ

MAY 2007

Registration for cardiopulmonary technicians and technologists was first introduced in 1997 through the Society of Cardiopulmonary Technology (SCT). A nationwide survey of technicians/technologists and cardiologists at the time showed approximately 90% were in favour of registration. In 1997 it was estimated that 110 technicians/technologists were employed in this profession in NZ. Voluntary registration of this profession has gained national acceptance with numbers of registered personnel growing each year.

For those of you who are not aware, the SCT is an independent society which has supported Cardiopulmonary Technicians and Technologists by offering training courses leading to nationally recognised qualifications since 1967.

The Society of Cardiopulmonary Technology Inc.

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