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Hi all
I am looking into NZ registration as a means of getting into Oz eventually. The competencies all relate to the past 10 years of work, and it seems most Physios answering questions here have used Uni curriculum and Info for their answers which fits within that 10 years, but I have been in private practice for 15 years, and thus am unable to use the Uni info etc. Anyone out there with info on filling in the competencies who has been in practice for > 10 yrs? Please help.
Thanks
Pete
Hi Pete.
It seems we are in a similar position. I have just started compiling my portfolio and, apart from my lack of Cardiopulmonary experience over the last 10 years, have similar concerns about how to validate a lot of what looks to be academic content (particularly competency 1). There is a physio on the iCSP forum who gained registration after 14 years specialising in Paeds so she may have some useful insights - I'll be e-mailing her tonight.
I would be more than happy to keep in contact with you through the registration process, either through the forum posts or personal messages. I'm sure we would both benefit.
Stu
Hi Stu
Nice to hear I am not drowning alone!! Contacted another physio who has already doen the NZ route and been in Oz for 6 years. She is out here giving courses at the moment. She also had a similar situation and what she did was a weekend course on Cardiovascular work and then did about 7 case studies on each component, ie casrdio and neuro. She does think think she went overboard and said maybe 3 to 5 on each would suffice. There is a respiratory update course on 19th April this year, details from [email protected] I will probably be going on this one to catch up and will keep an eye on any cardioresp courses in the near future. I'm still waiting to get all my info from my Uni in South Africa where I studied, so there will be a longish delay. If all this goes too slowly I might just write the Sept exam for the Oz physio council assessment, but I am trying to avoid it if I can. It would be great to keep in contact during this phase, my email is [email protected] I have some info from websites, you might already have, concerning how to complete the portfolio, so we could possibly share info. Let me know.
Cheers
Pete
PS There is also a Neuro course in Feb and March (during the week though) info from [email protected] All these are in Frontline mag. As for the case studies I am waiting to hear if this physio treated her own patients for the studies or used notes from other physios in neuro and cardio. If you know of any physio specialising in these fields it is worth getting to know them better...
Pete
Another thing.
Do you have a CPD portfolio set up? I have nothing formal, but also have not attended many course as my work has specialised in Myofascial release massage over the last 15 years and there is not a lot on that subject. I do a lot of reading to keep in touch but when you see things from a fascial point of view it makes a lot of the orthodox approaches seem unnecessary. Anyway if you have ideas on CPD let me know.
Pete
Hi Pete.
Good to get a reply. I'm interested to know a bit more about the case studies. I've checked out the course you mentioned and will be signing up for it tonight, there should be plenty of time between now and then to read up enough theory to answer sensible questions on the day.
I'll start e-mailing you direct shortly. Hopefully a few more posts may encourage a few responses from elsewhere.
Stu
Hi again Pete, I think I'll give the neuro course a miss for now, or at least until I realise that my neuro experience in the last 10 years is wholly inadequate. I have a friend from school who has a masters in Cardiopulmonary and his wife has a masters in Neuro so maybe I should call in a few favours - if I have any that is.
Hi again Pete, I have complete empathy for your CPD portfolio dilemma. I have worked for myself and locumed for most of my career so my learning needs revolved around how to get paid (ethically I should add;) ). I had to present my CPD portfolio at a job interview last year, having decided on finding some stability while applying NZ. At the point of receiving an offer of an interview my portfolio didn't exist so essentially I went back through my courses and gathered certificates and then did a lot of retrospective reflection on past incidents. Anyway, I got the job so it seemed to work.
I have never been of great fan of formalised reflective learning as so much of what goes on in my mind gets lost when trying to record what went on during a "learning event" it inevitably becomes a lip service exercise. But it is a recognised learning activity and that what counts. These are the tools we can use to jump through the hoops.
By the way Pete, where are you besed?
Stu
Pete, I have found and applied for a place on what appears to be a more relevant course for our purposes. To quote " The course is ideal for junior and senior II staff and those requiring a revision in respiratory care. It has excellent relevance for final year students wishing to further their knowledge at an early stage."
http://www.physiobob.com/physiothera...px?iJobID=3013
The lecturer is Alex Hough, I don't know about you but it was Alex's book we used as undergraduates.
Stu
Hi Stu
I am based in Burton on Trent, just between Derby and Birmingham...beer country! What about you?
Pete
Hi Guys, I thought I'd speak up here, as I'm in much the same situation. I just got back from a Cardiorespiratory update course in Brisbane, OZ. I'll be taking a neuro course in a couple weeks. What are you guys doing about research? I haven't done anything since Uni, which was 11 years ago. I've thought of all sorts of ways to "catch up" but haven't convinced myself that any of my ideas are worth the extravagant effort (ie, performing a study on my own, here in Australia, when I don't even have a license to practice!) Any thoughts? Where are you guys on this one? Maya
Hi Maya
As far as I have been able to suss out from previous forums and other contacts, research can also include any reading of research, discussions with other physios, critique of research papers. Basically anything you have looked at that can improve your practice in general. It does not always necessarily mean you have to do a research project.
Pete
Yes, I agree. Have also heard that people use participation in journal clubs, or attendance at a conference, as proof of commitment to evidence-based practice. And any PPpresentations that you might have done, which include a reference list etc.
Good luck, Fyzzio
Hi Maya, I'm fighting the urge to try and prove I am currently competent in all areas, so the initial aim of my application is to show that I have shown competency in all the required areas in the last 10 years. I have limited neuro and respiratory experience but perhaps enough. I'll have to watch out for sounding too apologetic in my application.
Am doing a respiratory update course next month and spending a few days with my friend who is a respiratory physio. I'm not sure how beneficial this will be to my portfolio.
As far as research goes I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it. Any research I have done since Uni has been based around critiquing the evidence base for what I do in order to justify it (or in most cases justify not doing something). Whether this is sufficient I'm not sure.
Hope this helps.
Stu
Hello All,
I am sorry for entering late into the forum. Please accept my apologies if this causes any inconvenience to anyone.
I am also wishing to register myself with Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand and need a bit of your consultancy/advice on the same. I hope you won't mind guiding me through the process.
I am a Physiotherapist with over 10 yrs. of experience having seen OPD and IPD patients with acute cases. I am presently based in India and a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from NIRTAR, India.
A brief of my profile is:
Experience: Over 10 years of experience as a Physiotherapist having seen OPD and IPD patients including acute cases.
Registrations: Registered with Delhi Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
Also, Member of Indian Association of Physiotherapists (MIAP)
Please suggest if you see any chances of me gaining registration with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. Will my being 10 yrs. experienced in India be a positive or negative point?
I eagerly look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks and best regards
physiomitch and pete how have you got on? I've been in private practice and sports physio for 10 yrs and just starting the registration process...looks very daunting which is why I keep putting it off! some positive feedback on how you're doinbg would encourage me!
Hi Jules B
True it is daunting. I am originally from South Africa too, so being in the UK and trying to get my uni transcripts etc is proving a bit of a problem, but hopefully will get there slowly. Using all my contacts there...As for the competencies, it does seem endless. What I have done is set up a table with 3 headings (landscape) 'Competency' (eg 1.1.2), 'Description' (what the competency is "Analyse the ...) and 'Evidence' (references). I have then written all the competencies in the rows as described in the competency list, and jotted down possible evidence for each one, eg case studies, colleague reference, books, courses, etc to match each competency. I am now going through each one I feel comfortable answering and writing a short answer with reflective statements as how I might meet the competencies. Remember they are only looking for graduate level answers so we don't have to go overboard and don't write an essay. Be concise. I will then try and gather references for each one, write case studies from patients I have seen in each category of cardio-resp, musculoskeletal and neuro to match the competency. I am hoping to go on a cardio-resp update course sometime to use as ref, otherwise ref to literature or even do some ward rounds at a local hospital, as I do not do this in private practice. I will also need to update my neuro work, so will have to find a neuro physio and ask to observe. Literature can also help, having the latest info on hand to reference from.
At the moment I am also giving lectures country-wide and working full-time in my practice so time is little but one competency at a time and it will slowly get less. I have found though, having put everything in table format it is all visible and easier to see the bigger picture. Try that first then work through them one at a time. If you want to give me your email I can let you see what I have done to give you an idea.
Honestly I cannot see them turning down someone with more than 10 yrs experience if you have been practicing all this time. All you need to do is fill the gaps where you feel you come short in practice, like me with cardio-resp and neuro. The others should be easier to answer with case studies. Remember you can use one piece of evidence as a reference for more than one competency, eg a case study of treatment of a patient with musculoskeletal condition using electrotherapy and manual techniques may be used to ref for competencies 1.2.3 and 1.2.6
Hope this helps. This thread is specifically for this to assist both ways. Keep in contact.
Pete (by the way I am physiomitch)
Thanks Pete, really helpful advice!
I have taken few days off to get it going as otherwise am too busy with work as it sounds you are.
happy to exchange examples once I've made a significant start this week I hope!
Cheers, Julie
Hi Guys.
My head is swimming after 3 courses in 6 weeks, all traveling weekends. I'm glad Jules jumped in on the thread. I needed a kick in the pants to get down to writing some case studies. And observing - thanks for that idea.
Pete, I have a couple ideas for CPD portfolio for you. Can I send you an email about that? My email is [email protected]. I'd love to be in touch with you guys as we get through this together.
Stu, can you help me on a simple thing? What does "formalized reflective learning" sound like? It seems to be a code word for a type of exam answer that wasn't part of my schooling in the US. Can you elaborate? I'm going to need to do some "reflecting" to justify my research competencies.
I'll get to work on my cardio case study first. We did a couple in the refresher course itself that I can write up. I'm also happy to share. I don't have *time* to go overboard, but I do want to get it right the first time.
Maya
Hi Maya
My email address is [email protected]
One thing about research is that we need to remember they are looking for graduate level, so as a new grad there was not a lot of experience in this. We can use reflective statements on how we have read research, can do a little critique of a research article, show how reading research and applying the results of a research article in to your practice, etc. Not everyone has time to do a full-blown research project, so I don't think this is what we are looking for. Even being involved in forums on particular subjects is a form of research. Reading literature is research as long as it applies to your work and can improve your abilities.
Reflective is about thinking back on what you have done in the past and writing a short appraisal of this as proof you have competency in a particular area.
I have a question for any of you on the thread. Competency 10 is supposed to reflect all 3 of cardio-resp, musculosk, and neuro, yet 10.5 is the only one that seems to fit this bill. Do we need to show competency in all 3 areas for all of competency 10? Eg. 'Abide by legal requirements' and 'Demonstrate ethical practice' Any ideas.
I would presume keeping it general would cover all areas, just looking back through uni stuff (the little bits i've kept!) and legal aspects of health care, ethical considerations, religious beliefs etc were all general health care system topics. Perhaps a validation of work history letter could include that you abide by such things in your practice and could be used as evidence in all 3 areas? what does anyone else think?
Jules
Yes colleague validations useful, could also quote local Physio association guidelines as to safe practice, indemnities, etc. Just not sure whether we need to prove this in all 3 areas?? Reflective statements again?? 'Demonstrate Autonomous Practice' can be covered by work experience validations and possibly case studies again, referencing case studies also use for competencies 1 thru 4.
Sorry if I am jumping in to a thread that is not relevent to me. I am not very practiced at using forums.
I am just starting the process of writing my profile for NZ registration. I am hoping to go out in December but all I have heard is horror stories about how long and complicated the process is. I have downloaded all the info from the website and read all your posts which were very helpful.I have just under two years experience as a rotational junior. Does anyone have an estimate on how long I can expect it to take to put a good profile together or how to get hold of examples of what the board are looking for? Any tips would be most welcome as I am tearing my hair out.
Hi Helen
I'm doing the same at the moment. The NZ board website say its 9 weeks from receiving it, one of the other posts on this said it took a few months and 6 months to put together! I maybe still naive and too optimistic but am hoping to get it all together in a month and be there asap!!
Jules
Pete
I have re-read competency 10 and think you're right, it needs all 3 areas however tedious the referencing is!
Jules
Hi Jules
Have to admit still not sure on this one. I have info from another source who did the 3 areas only for competencies 1-4 and 10.5, so am a little stumped, but will jump off that bridge when I get there! ;)
I am slowly working my way through the competencies daily, just writing short paragraphs under each heading describing how I can show I am competent in each one. I am using the guidelines given under each heading as described in the 'Registration Requirements' document from NZ Board. I use some of the indicators to give feedback, not all as this would take too much space and time, and they are not looking for essays. Remember they send your portfolio to a Physio to check them to see if you cover all the requirements and they ar not going to want to read tons of essays. Stick to a short and sweet principle and we should be OK. One of the other Physios on the other thread sent me some of her competencies she has done (comp's 1 and 10), so you might want to see it to get an idea. I can send it to you via email if you wish. I feel though that she wrote too much, but worth looking at for an idea of layout.
Also google: "physio competencies nz" (just like that no +'s etc) and look for this title "Handy Hints for NZ Registration Application Portfolio". Download this advice it also gives some good ideas. It is a matter of taking the best of both and doing what you can with them.
Hi HelenW
With your few yrs of experience you at least can use evidence from your curriculum. That site above, Handy tips... will give you an idea as to how to use the curriculum. Don't panic, set up a structure and go from one competency to the next, before you know it you will be finished. It can be done in a month as long as you have all the other paperwork from uni etc, ie transcripts, curriculum, all stamped. Make sure all document copies are validated by an authorised person ie lawyer, judge, etc.
Cheers
Pete
Hi everyone, i haven't posted for a while, but I'm gearing up to hopefully push through this by the end of June. One of my weaknesses is Research and I wanted to share a resource with those of you who've been out of Uni for a while. There's an on-line course in Evidence Based Medicine. 14-21 hours to complete it. It's free! And it's good stuff. here's the link:
Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine Course
I' going to use this as the basis of my research evidence, with some reflection and a couple other things I've done.
I hope this might help someone else, too.
Maya
Hi Pete and all others on this thread.
Well, I am no further on with my registration but have been living in New Zealand as a kept man for the last 7 months. Now about to restart the whole application process again after letting the dust settle.
How has everyone been getting on?
Stu
Hi Stu
Nice to hear from you again, have been meaning to email you. Hope all is well in the land of the long white cloud, bit cold here on mud island!
Personally I am just about finished. I am waiting for a couple of work validation forms, one from Spain (this chap moved there from Brazil after moving there from UK...), and a couple of letters from South African Uni, posted on te 3/12...have a bad feeling about that! They only return to work later this onth to start a new year, so might delay things a bit. Otherwise have done a cardio-resp course, did 6 hours shadowing a Physio in a local hospital, including some hands on in intensive care, so hopefully this will help. Attended national congress which included cardio and neuro lectures. Just a matter of putting it all together in one package once all evidence is gathered, and hopefull send off soon.
There is another good thread going so check out newer ones on the 'working as a physiotherapist in NZ' heading. As one Physio who already got her reg said, they are not looking for anyone being an expert in all 3 fields, just need to show competence. Also they love reflective statements, so I have done this for the competencies on nz management principles, waitangi agreement and others involving NZ health.
Been a long journey, but the end is in sight.
Cheers
Pete
Hi there,
When you say that you did reflective statements for the NZ health and waitangi ones - can I ask you for more detail. I am a Canadian Trained grad and I've reflected from my experiences in Canada that are the same to those in NZ. Do you think I am on the right track?
Kind regards,
Tracy
Hi Tracy
Sorry about the delay in reply, getting back into the swing of things. Just one more document and I can start sorting into the correct order and send off...can't wait, except the Physio I need to get the work validation form from is in Brazil!!
Anyway, reflective statements I did was basically reading through the documents such as the Waitangi accord and reflecting on it as to how I understand it and what it's main points are. The same was done with the documents on NZ health management and articles I found on the web regarding the health structure of NZ, and where Physio fits in. So generally find documents, some mentioned in this thread earlier, read and reflect on what you read.
Not sure whether it would help, but I can let you know what I did to get things going, to try and keep some form of sanity.
The big queation on most people's minds is 'where do I start?', it certainly was on mine...so this is how I got started and it took off from there. Apart from getting all your necessary paperwork from uni and work colleagues, which I collected gradually, this was my format...
1. Read carefully all the info in the NZ Physio Council PDF files on their website regarding portfolio
2. Go through each competency and write a short statement on each (not essay form). I wrote the heading eg Competency 1, then under that Competency 1.1, then under that a short answer. For competencies 1 to 4 and 10, I wrote short answers under the headings 'General', 'Musculo-skeletal', 'Cardio-resp' and 'Neurological'.
3. I did this until I completed all of the competencie. Then I went back to each one and under each listed the evidence I would need for each one. This was by no means the finished article as the cross-referencing would have to be done at the end once all evidence was gathered.
4. Once I had all the necessary evidence written down I then made a seperate list of all the evidence I needed next to each competency and started to tick off what I had and gathered what I didn't.
5. Once all evidence was ticked off I put it all together, wrote the correct page numbers on the cross-references in the competencies, edited the notes to ensure it was not too drawn out, checked spelling, etc, then put it all together. I printed my CV/CPD portfolio and case studies on coloured paper, numbering each page together with a 'heading' to make it easier to locate. I seperated all sections of evidence with 'dog ear' pages for easy finding. All cross references were shown on the front page as an index to the whole thing.
Then I had my millionth glass of red wine and passed out...ha ha! Worth putting headers and page numbers on all pages to identify your work. I have also been advised to collect all work validation forms and send with the portfolio, even though the validation forms ask that they be sent directly to the council, they may get lost and have to be re-done. I am using mine as colleague references anyway so will open them and number the pages, easily done in microsoft word.
Hope this helps
Hi,
I just wanted to say thank you for all the advice I have gained off this post it's been really helpful. I am new to the forum but have been trying to do my portflio for a few months now! hoping to finish it by at least March.
Nic :)
I'd like some advice please. I'm just starting the process but have been qualified for 13 years.
I managed to get a portfolio from a physio who was 7 years qualified (he got his NZ registration from it) and for competency 1 he listed items from his university course booklet (proving he had done enough anatomy, physiology, child development etc) by just listing the page from the prospectus (e.g) child development page 31, year 2 term 1.
Am I allowed to do the same (qualified 1995 from the UK) or will this not be accepted because it's over 10 years old?
Surely the NZ board will have some descrepancies for those of us that are more experienced (i.e. - you think they'd want a good number of experienced physios over there to help with the more junior ones. Otherwise isn't NZ full of foreign physios that are recently qualified - just cause it's easier to complete the portfolio.
Please advise and has anyone contacted the NZ reg board directly about this?
thanks
Chris
P.S I was on a chest course at the weekend and a 1 year grad I met had gone and returned from NZ after getting her registration. She said there were 3 of them that qualified together so they split the portfolio in 3 saving time and all went over. None had done a rotation on ITU or neuro!! - used their student placements.
Hi,
just some comments.
Of course. The deal is that your education has to be similar to the NZ one, and if it differs (e.g. only 3 years in GB, compared to 4 in NZ), then you have to prove work experience for one year plus to make up for that gap. It does not matter in which area you have the work experience, as your undergraduate training otherwise satisfies the board. That's how they explained it to me.Quote:
None had done a rotation on ITU or neuro!! - used their student placements.
I haven't got the application package here any more, but I'm sure, you can. It's a good starting point anyway. However,... if that's the only evidence you've got, they might say, that you haven't updated skills over the last 13 years. Just not a good look, I think.Quote:
Am I allowed to do the same (qualified 1995 from the UK) or will this not be accepted because it's over 10 years old?
... sorry, as far as I know, they have to go by the rules as set under the HPCAA. They are a qualifications authority, not an immigration service.:rolleyes:Quote:
the NZ board will have some descrepancies
Good luck,
Fyzzzio
Hi Chris
I have just about completed my registration package, but after a year of getting it all together and from reading some of the new threads, I get the feeling I wrote too much in my competencies under each subcompetency. Like you I have worked for more than 10 years, qualifying in 1992, and thus cannot use the curriculum as a reference, but still need it for their prrof of study.
After reading some more threads I feel that all you need to do is list the copmpetencies/subcompetencies, and under each one give a reference to either courses, CV, case studies, or whatever will prove that you are competent in that area. The guides given by the NZ Physio council gives a list of things you can use to prove this often related to initial studies in physiology, anatomy etc., which is why those under 10 yrs exp can give reference to their curriculum. For us maybe the best way to do this is to write case studies or refer to courses done. I was in contact with a Physio who got her registration and she said she just wrote tons of case studies and obviously this was OK for her (also > 10 yrs exp). Personally I have written about 4 case studies under each title of neuro, cardio and MSK, some for electro therapy, some for manual therapy (some can be used for both), some for nutrition/holistic approach, etc. I will use these particularly for competency 1-4.
I used cases I have treated and some I have observed. I will list these under case studies in my evidence.
I have also recently done a cardio-resp course and have done some hours of observation and hands on in an ITU at a local hospital to keep updated. As someone else said, they are not expecting us to be specialists in any field just to be up to date on the techniques and approaches. I will use this as a reference for any cardio related competencies as well as case studies I did from patients I treated and observed being treated on my hospital rounds.
In hindsight I think I have written too much but I am not going to re-do it, but keep it simple and just refer what you have done, will do or are doing in relation to each competency.
As for more experienced Physios, they definately need them. If you read these forums and read between the lines, if you come from the UK and have studied here you have a great chance of getting in, however you still have to have all the necessary paperwork signed where necessary and give evidence, but it should not be so difficult to get evidence. Just takes a bit of time. Stay positive and work through it step by step.
OK thanks for getting back. I'll just keep it simple like you say and may throw in the odd reference etc that is over 10 years old. At least it shows I've been working continuously which may help .
Chris
Hi there,
I have a question relating to competency 8.3 and just wondered how you tackled this one for those over 10 years experience.
I'd love to use the literature review at university but did this in 1995 hence it is over 10 years old. i've been working as a clinician since qualifying and haven't got into any heavy research along the lines of what they're asking.
I've been on some conferences and have at least 2 good cases studies done relating my treatment to research articles.
Please can anyone give feedback who's been in a similar position
thanks
Chris
Hi Chris
I had my application returned with requests for more detailed syllabus and transcripts from my UNi, which they cannot provide...so I will be giving covering letters from them and the head of the Physio school at the time to back it up. They also asked me to do my competencies with reference to the NZ competencies, so I guess mine did not relate closely enough to the NZ comps. I have since sent an email to them and got a return email giving me a long schpeel about what is needed, a lot of what is already said, however they did say the the competencies should be done in such a way as to write the 10 headings down and show competency for each one. So again it sounds as if we need to give some form of evidence as to our competencies for all 10 but for 1 to 4 and 10.5 (that is what they said, not 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 or 10.4) we need to show autonomous practice in the 3 fields of Physio, nmly Cardio, Neuro and MSK. So what I did was under each of these write 3 headings, General ( a short description of how I feel I was compitent), Cardiopulmonary, Neurologica and Musculo-skeletal. Under each of these I described what I have done, am doing and will be doing with evidence given such as courses, case studies, work validations, etc.
I will, however also be sending in my large draft of the competencies which covers ALL the 10 comps plus all the sub-comps, just in case...
In answer to your question, in the shorter version, I just spoke about reading research, journals, internet articles, how they affected my practice. I also did a small project of my own using some of my patient records, just to show I understand the layout and formulation and I got a colleague to critique it. This I will use as evidence. As for the specific 8.3, I just wrote something about how I read research papers, etc and personally I teach Physios so I used that as a part of research evidence.
Keep looking at the FAQ pdf file they supply, esp when it concerns research, and also use the indicators given in the comp list to get an idea as to what to write.
Hope that helps
Pete
Hi,
re competency 8: you could also state the format/ tool which you usually use to critque articles, any presentation that you have done, which includes a reference list, a certified list of journal clubs which you have attended or presented at and references which state that you regulary participate in literature reviews.
In NZ, we have to prove CPD via a logbook in a three year cycle. One of the categories is self-directed learning. All the above are accepted under this category and I guess the same counts for the competencies for foreign applicants.
Just a warning: the topic of a recent Physioboard newsletter was "Ethics". Apparently, any document containing patient information/ any clinical details (even if anonymous), that is published without patient consent, risks breach of ethical conduct. So, I would recommend to stay away from actual case presentations, unless you have consent to share them.
Cheers,
Physio
OK thanks for the info and espec about the 'thics' part.
I was actually going to get some letters from my patients talking about what physio they had and the benefit of it.
I'll have to use case studies because I don't have the regular 4 monthly junior rotation appraisals but I will bear in mind what you say.
thanks
Chris