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The Standards of Practice are essential to ensure quality care is provided to all Albertans by all healthcare professions. These Standards not only provide direction to regulated members in the provision of care but also explain elements of care that patients and the public can expect in their professional interactions with regulated members.
The College’s Standards of Practice (or SoPs) were recently completely rewritten and released in July 2021. These Standards expanded on many areas that the former version did not include – and they now provide a lot more detail on the expectations of care that is to be delivered by regulated members. While it is expected that as a regulated member you familiarize yourself with the content, the College is also here to help provide clarity on areas as questions arise.
The Standards of Practice, Self-reporting (1.4) can be an area of uncertainty or confusion for members and much of this uncertainty comes from misconceptions or misunderstandings.
1.4 Self-reporting
A regulated member must immediately self report to the Registrar the following:
- Any relevant details including any physical, cognitive, psychological and/or emotional condition that may negatively impact the regulated member’s work or is reasonably likely to negatively impact their work in the future.
- A sexual relationship with a patient.
- New or updated criminal charges brought against them.
What exactly does this mean for regulated members?
SoP 1.4.1 speaks to the physical and psychological conditions that may impact a member’s ability to provide care. This part of the SoP does allow for the member to self-evaluate the condition and make their own determination about self-reporting based on how or if the condition will impact the care they provide.
SoP 1.4.2 does not allow for the same level of self-evaluation. Sexual relationships with patients are a serious matter, and under Bill 21, the government has required all regulatory colleges to develop a separate Standard on this topic, complete with predetermined sanctions. The Standards of Practice, 2.0 Patient Relationship can be referenced for more information.
SoP 1.4.3 also does not allow for self-evaluation, as new or updated charges against a member must be reported as per the Health Professions Act (Sec 127.1(4)) which states:
A regulated member must report in writing to the registrar, as soon as reasonably possible, if the regulated member has been charged with an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada) or has been convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada).
Reporting a charge to the College does not necessarily mean that the College will take any punitive action. It is only in very extreme circumstances where the College may need to take some form of sanction against the member if the charge is deemed to present a reasonable and potential risk to the public.
Self-reporting unprofessional conduct
Regulated members have a duty to inform the College if they have been found guilty of unprofessional conduct by another regulatory college or governing body. As per the Health Professions Act:
- 127.1(1) If a person is a regulated member of more than one college and one college makes a decision of unprofessional conduct with respect to that regulated member, the regulated member must, as soon as reasonably possible, report that decision and provide a copy of that decision, if any, to the registrar of any other college the person is a regulated member of.
- (2) If a governing body of a similar profession in another jurisdiction has made a decision that the conduct of a regulated member in that other jurisdiction constitutes unprofessional conduct, the regulated member must, as soon as reasonably possible, report that decision and provide a copy of that decision, if any, to the registrar.
- (3) A regulated member must report any finding of professional negligence made against the regulated member to the registrar in writing, as soon as reasonably possible, after the finding is made.
Self-reporting to the College may seem like a daunting task, however, it is a requirement for all regulated members under the HPA and our Standards of Practice. Many members may fear that self-reporting might result in the end of their career in paramedicine, it simply isn’t the case. While there are instances where punitive actions must be taken against members, that is not the intention of self-reporting and the College is committed to working with members through these circumstances.
Members looking to self-report any breaches in conduct can do so on the website through the following form: Self Reporting Form for Members – Alberta College of Paramedics (abparamedics.com)
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the College at Conduct@ABparamedics.com.