Quality Assurance Programs and Committees Lawyers .
Under the Health Professions Procedural Code, regulated professions have Quality Assurance Programs and Committees that are designed to provide for the continuing education and professional development of its members. Quality Assurance Programs are meant to promote continuing competence and continuing quality improvements among its members, as well as address changes in practice environments, and incorporate standards of practice and advances in technology. Quality Assurance Programs are also meant to provide for self, peer and practice assessments, and a mechanism for each College to monitor its members’ participation in and compliance with the quality assurance program.
For example, the Quality Assurance Program of the Ontario College of Pharmacists was introduced to help ensure the continuing competency of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Pharmacists are required to maintain a learning portfolio, complete self-assessments, and can be randomly selected for practice assessments. The Ontario College of Pharmacists is also in the process of developing a knowledge assessment program.
How Can a Lawyer Help with Quality Assurance?
Some professionals who are audited by their regulatory body may require assistance responding to the College. A practice assessment may identify deficiencies or failures of a professional to comply with the standards of care expected by their profession. A practice assessment may also reveal other failures of a professional to ensure that safe and appropriate patient care is being provided. If a professional does not meet the standards during an assessment, they may be required to make submissions or demonstrate that they have taken steps to correct their deficient practices. If the College is still concerned about the appropriateness or professionalism of a member, it may refer him or her to the Quality Assurance Committee.
If you have been referred to the Quality Assurance Committee you should speak to a lawyer who understands regulated healthcare professionals and who has experience dealing with your College. The lawyers at Damien Frost & Associates LLP are here to guide you through the Quality Assurance Committee and ensure that you are protected. The Quality Assurance Committee can take a number of steps against you. It can require that you take continuing educational programs, refer the matter to the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (“the ICRC”) if it believes that you have committed an act of professional misconduct or are incompetent, or it can impose terms, conditions or limitations on your licence to practice. The powers of the Quality Assurance Committee can severely impact your ability to practice. Speak to a lawyer today about how they can help protect your licence and your professional reputation. Click here to schedule a free consultation.
I am being assessed, now what?
It is important to know that, as a regulated healthcare professional, you are required by the Health Professions Procedural Code to cooperate with the Quality Assurance Committee and with any assessor it appoints. The Quality Assurance Committee can appoint one of your peers to act as an assessor to ensure that your practice complies with the rules and regulations of your profession. Among other things, you are required to allow the assessor to enter and inspect your workplace, allow them to access your patient’s records, provide them with information, and participate in a program designed to evaluate your knowledge, skill and judgment if requested.
If you fail to complete your assessment properly, or you do not participate, the Quality Assurance Committee has various tools to address non-compliance. For example, if you are a Registered Nurse, the Executive Director can impose terms, conditions or limitations on your certificate of registration for a specific period of time and post this information on the public Register. You could also be referred to the ICRC if the Quality Assurance Committee believes that your lack of cooperation can be viewed as professional misconduct. You can also be required to complete continuing educational courses or additional assessments at your own expense, which could cost thousands of dollars.
Contact us Today for a Free Consultation
If you have been referred to the Quality Assurance Committee, or if there are concerns with your competency or ability to practice, contact the lawyers at Damien Frost & Associates LLP today to schedule a free consultation. We can provide you with strategic advice and guidance on how to ensure that your certificate of registration and your licence to practice is protected. Having terms, conditions or limitations imposed on your licence could have a significant impact on your ability to work in your profession and may cause serious harm to your professional reputation. We have significant experience dealing with healthcare professionals and regulated Colleges. We have assisted Pharmacists, Nurses, Registered Massage Therapists, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Registered Psychotherapists, Optometrists, and other healthcare professionals.
Let us help you today and our firm will do everything we can to protect your professional reputation and standing. Click here to schedule a free consultation. There is no risk to you and everything remains confidential.
