CEP Certification

Background Each RACMA Fellow and Member undertakes continuing education as part of their commitment to College Fellowship or Membership. This is part of the process of ‘being in good standing’ with the College.  There are five CEP Certification ‘Phases’ set out in the CEP Handbook. Here is a summary of the CEP Certification Process. Note:  All the forms that you need to complete and send to your CEP Coordinator for your re-certification are attached at the back of the CEP Manual. CEP Certification Phases Phase 1: Analysis of Current Competencies and Aspirations Identify what competencies you need to develop over the next three years. These would be best identified by analyzing and then measuring your current competencies and abilities against the College (RACMA) competencies to identify areas that need further development. The latest RACMA competencies are in the CEP Handbook and on the College web site. Phase 2: Developing the CEP Training Plan There are two main ways in which a Fellow or Member can approach this. You can establish an individual plan endorsed by your local CEP Coordinator, or you can join with a group of local RACMA Fellows or Members and work through a shared plan mutually agreed to by the group. Your plan is documented in the CEP Training Plan. Your CEP Training Plan will need to be for three years (the recertification period), with annual action plans/outcomes, and should specify: · your CEP objectives; · he rationale/reasons for choosing these objectives; · your proposed action plan of the learning activities you desire to undertake; · the expected outcomes; and · the proposed evidence that objectives have been achieved If your needs change during this three year period you can modify your plan with sign off by the local CEP Coordinator or your group, whichever is appropriate. There is considerable information in the CEP Handbook and on the RACMA website to assist you in developing your Training Plan. Phase 3: Undertaking Development Activities Development activities may occur over a period of up to 3 years. If you have chosen to operate an individual plan then during this phase you will pursue your own development objectives through the activities as set out in your CEP Training Plan. When operating in a group, maximum benefit is obtained by having regular meetings (at least 4 times a year) to discuss and monitor progress, assist and provide advice and give support. Remember, if you are also a Fellow of another specialty medical college where you also have CEP requirements, you can also count those other professional development experiences that also contribute to develop RACMA management competencies. You may find this an efficient way to develop and implement your CEP Training Plan. RACMA requires that you will aim to commit to 50 hours per year, or 150 hours over 3 years, of CEP. This is not onerous when you consider the amount of working parties, professional reading, ACHS surveying, report writing, conferences and seminars managers do. There is much within your everyday work that will contribute to your ongoing learning experiences. Your are encouraged to engage in reflective writing practices that will help to distill learning from work experiences. RACMA has developed an on-line support tool to help you record your CEP activities. In addition, each person undertakes an annual review of progress on their group or individual Training Plan. Phase 4: Annual Review Each CEP Training Plan is reviewed annually by the CEP Group or individual with their local CEP Coordinator (in the case of an individual plan) to monitor progress toward meeting the initial goals and objectives. Goals and objectives can be changed as appropriate. There is a form on the web site and in the CEP Handbook called CEP Annual Review Report to assist with this. Phase 5: Three Yearly ReCertification At the completion of the three year contract period, the CEP Group discusses each participant's achievements and certifies that the activities have been completed  satisfactorily. For individual plans, the local CEP Coordinator is responsible for this certification. You will need to prepare a brief report using the Training Plan Completion Review Form located on the website and in the CEP Handbook. This will be signed initially by yourself and the other group members or the local CEP Co-ordinator, whichever is appropriate. The signed Review Form will be forwarded to the National Director of Continuing Education/Recertification who will then request the Secretariat to issue you with a formal Re-certification certificate. You will need this certificate for medical registration, for various credentialing process in health care settings. A copy of your certificate will be kept on file at the Secretariat. Between 3 year cycles you may need to show your current Recertification and your signed annual review reports. Annual Audit Each year the College will undertake an audit of its membership to evaluate participation in CEP. If you are asked to participate in this audit you will need to show evidence of your annual participation against your CEP Training Plan. The College undertakes this audit as part of its obligations and responsibilities to its members, the profession and the community. If you have any queries at all please contact your local CEP Co-ordinator in the first instance. Click here for the list of CEP Co-ordinators. You may also address enquiries to the Secretariat on +61 3 9824 4699.

Last Updated ( Monday, 01 June 2009 )