REMINDER   |        Prior Learning Assessment (PLAR) Process

The Prior Learning Assessment (PLAR) process is a competency-based assessment of Grandparented Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists who intend to transfer to General registration with the College. 

All Grandparented members must complete the PLAR process through Professional Testing by July 1, 2017 and transfer to the General Class by March 31, 2018, in order to continue to practice as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and/or Acupuncturist.

All Grandparented certificates of registration will expire on April 1, 2018.

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REMINDER   |                  Upcoming Annual Renewal

All members must register for the new online member portal to complete the upcoming 2017 registration renewal.

The registration renewal will be available on April 1, 2017 and must be submitted by June 1, 2017.

UPDATE   |     Alignment of Renewal Year with Fiscal Year End

On February 6, 2017, the Council of the CTCMPAO approved amendments to the College By-Laws to align the membership renewal year end with the fiscal year end, by shortening the renewal period of 2017-2018 to June 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. This will be a 10-month period renewal year, and the annual fees will be pro-rated for 10-months.

UPDATE   |                                                          Doctor Title

On December 30, 2016, subsection 18 (1) of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006 was proclaimed to permit TCM practitioners in Ontario to use the title “Doctor” once the Registration Regulation is amended to include a doctor class. However, until the amendments have been passed, members of the College are not permitted to use the doctor title.

This is a significant milestone towards ensuring that patients will have access to safe and higher quality of TCM health care from qualified practitioners that meet an experienced level of competencies and standards. The College and the Doctor Title Working Group are presently preparing plans to define the necessary requirements for entry into a Dr. TCM class and amend the Registration Regulation.

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UPDATE   |                        Bill 87, Protecting Patients Act, 2016

On December 8, 2016, the Ontario government introduced Bill 87, Protecting Patients Act, 2016. The legislation, if passed, proposes amendments to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 that will strengthen, uphold and reinforce Ontario's zero-tolerance policy on sexual abuse of patients by any regulated health professional. This includes:

• Expanding the list of acts that would result in the mandatory revocation of a regulated health professional's certificate of registration
• Removing the ability of a college to impose gender-based restrictions on a regulated health professional's certificate of registration
• Increasing fines for health professionals and organizations that fail to report an allegation of patient sexual abuse to a college
• Increasing transparency by adding to what colleges must report on their public registries and websites
• Establishing a minimum time period after the end of a patient-provider relationship during which sexual relations are prohibited 
• Increasing timely access to funding for patient therapy and counselling when a complaint of patient sexual abuse is made

The government is moving quickly to address the recommendations, and we are following this matter closely. The College has zero tolerance for sexual abuse by its members. Abuse of a patient is never acceptable and is an act of professional misconduct. The College is committed to preventing sexual abuse by promoting awareness, expectations of its members, providing further education and effectively addressing patient complaints. The College encourages all members to review the Standard of Practice on Prohibition of a Sexual Relationship with a Patient, to learn more about patient/provider relationships, boundaries and reporting requirements.

MOHLTC (2016). The Protecting Patients Act. 2016, Retrieved from https://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2016/12/the-protecting-patients-act-2016.html

NEW   |                                         Launch of the Student Class

The College announced the launch of the new Student class of registration on February 17, 2017. The Student class of registration is a means for the College to engage and assist individuals in their preparation for registration as a member in the General class while they are:

• undergoing formal TCM education; and/or
• preparing for the Registration Examinations; and/or
• acquiring clinical experience under a registered member of the College.

The Student Class will allow Graduates preparing for the Registration Examinations to perform the controlled acts authorized, under supervision. Further, members of the Student class are authorized to use the protected titles, "Student Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner" and/or "Student Acupuncturist".

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NEW   |                       Record Keeping Guideline and Templates
 

Record keeping is an important part of every member’s practice. It helps ensure the public is protected. Registered practitioners of the College must maintain accurate, legible and up-to-date records for each of their patients in order to provide proper care and treatment.

The College introduced a new Record Keeping guideline and templates for members to use as a resource to improve their current record keeping practices, and ensure their record keeping is in compliance with the College's standards. 

Members are encouraged to use the following customizable templates as a resource in their practice: Patient Health Summary; Initial Assessment and Treatment Record; Follow Up Treatment Record; Consent to Collect, Use, and Disclose Personal Health Information Form; and Equipment and Supply Records.