Guide to CPD

We have created a beginner’s guide for any newly qualified OTs or anyone who just wants a refresher on how to tackle the important job of recording your CPD. This will ensure you are prepared if this is the year you are called on by the HCPC for an audit

Continuing professional development (CPD) is vitally important for occupational therapists. It is more than just a requirement to ensure you can retain your registration as an OT: it is a key tool that keeps you as an OT at the top of your area of the profession and encourages you to reach your potential as an OT. The profession of occupational therapy is constantly evolving and a career as an OT is a lifelong journey of learning. We take a look at the key components set out that registrants must adhere to for inclusion in their CPD portfolio and explore some helpful tools in maintaining this throughout the year. CPD GUIDELINES

An occupational therapist must complete a minimum of 30 hours of CPD each year, adhering to the following points: 1 Registrants must maintain a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record of their CPD activities 2 They must demonstrate that their CPD activities are a mixture of learning activities relevant to current or future practice 3 They must seek to ensure that their CPD has contributed to the quality of their practice and service delivery 4 They must seek to ensure that their CPD benefits the service user 5 Upon request, they must present a written profile (which must be their own work and supported by evidence) explaining how they have met the standards for CPD.

There are a variety of different ways that you can gain CPD, both online and in person. The most important thing to do is to make sure the training and development you are participating in is relevant to your practice and will grow your skills and learning as an OT. Let’s take a look at some of the opportunities available to you to gain CPD.

Granted these have been in short supply over the last two years, but the gradual increase of physical events this year have been welcomed greatly. The OT Show ended the year on a real high as OTs were delighted to be reunited in a space that offered a packed programme of seminars and workshops, CPD was available in gallons for OTs working in every facet of the profession. Online events have their place and have been critical over the course of the pandemic, but there is something very special about the networking opportunities and learning opportunities at physical events.

If you are looking to further your knowledge base and career in your chosen field, you will most certainly be able to find a course to fit your requirements. These may come in the form of physical day courses that you attend, or they may offer online learning opportunities with live webinars or recorded seminars. Most of these courses will have a cost attached to them, so it is worth talking to your employer about the benefits of any courses you wish to take and asking them to foot the bill. You will find some free OT courses, workshops, product demonstration days and OTorganised meetings which may be beneficial, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.

The online OT community is strong and powerful on social media, and so much can be gained from interacting on platforms like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. You can join groups relating to your specific area of OT, you can network and share your work with your peers and introductions can be made almost every day. #OTalk is one of the most well-known groups on Twitter, they run weekly chats hosted by different OTs and cover a huge variety of topics. You can find out more about #OTalk on page 16 as we celebrate 10 years of #OTalk.

You don’t have to be an English graduate to turn your hand to writing about your work. Writing reflections on your practice, or a topic you feel strongly about is a great way to record your learnings, it is also a very therapeutic practice. If you want to take writing one step further, you should contact the team at The OT Magazine on ros@2apublishing.co.uk as we are always open to contributions from OTs sharing their work and talking about the profession. We are not looking for the next Pulitzer Prize winner; we simply want to hear you talking about your work in the profession, so don’t be afraid to get in touch – we are also CPD-certified so you can include anything we publish in your CPD portfolio.