3 minute read
Professional development pathways for osteopaths
Osteopathy Australia has launched its Extended Practice Program to complement its already established Advanced Practice Program. The aim of these clinical skills recognition pathways is to offer an avenue of professional development for osteopaths, in turn cementing and lending credence to osteopaths’ place within primary healthcare while providing the association with additional scope to advocate and lobby for the profession within government and allied health networks. Here we explain the difference between Extended and Advanced Practice, and the steps involved to achieve recognition.
REQUIREMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS Extended and Advanced recognition is only open to members of Osteopathy Australia, and you must remain a member of the association for the duration of your recognition.
FOCUS AREAS FOR EXTENDED AND ADVANCED PRACTICE Currently, the following focus areas are covered for Extended and Advanced Practice recognition:
Exercise rehabilitation
Occupational health (work injury management)
Paediatrics
Pain management
Sports management
The association hopes to add further focus areas in the future.
WHAT IS EXTENDED PRACTICE? Extended Practice recognition acknowledges that an osteopath is developing skills and reasoning in a focus practice area moving beyond the parameters of general osteopathic training at university level, to provide career opportunities within and beyond osteopathy. For the profession, Extended Practice recognition has the benefit of building understanding, connection and awareness as Osteopathy Australia can speak about the broad types of targets met by osteopaths in biopsychosocial care. Extended Practice recognition may be ideal for members working towards eventual Advanced Practice recognition. To apply for Extended Practice recognition, you must have at least two years’ experience in practice. WHAT IS ADVANCED PRACTICE? Advanced Practice recognition is a public acknowledgement and a formal professional titling to show the recipient has undergone further study and/or professional development via tertiary or vocational pathways to demonstrate advanced knowledge in a focus area. Applications undergo transparent peer review by a multidisciplinary review panel of health practitioners. The tertiary pathway requires a further university qualification in a focus area, while the vocational pathway is for those without a further university qualification but who can demonstrate relevant work experience, professional development, professional references and reasoned case studies. Those achieving Advanced Practice recognition are flagged as Advanced Practitioners on Osteopathy Australia’s Find an Osteo online directory. To apply for Advanced Practice recognition, you must have at least two years’ experience in practice for the tertiary pathway and four years’ experience for the vocational pathway.
How to apply for Extended Practice recognition 1. Download and read the Quality
Practice Framework for your desired focus area to help you understand the broad knowledge, skills and capabilities required. 2. Download and read the application forms and templates for the focus area you have chosen. 3. Download and read the terms and conditions. 4. Pay the application fee via
Osteopathy Australia’s website. 5. Lodge the complete application and all requested evidence via email to CPG@osteopathy.org.au. 6. The review process takes approximately four weeks involving a focus area multidisciplinary review panel, after which you will be notified of the outcome, which may require the submission of further evidence to qualify for recognition. How to apply for Advanced Practice recognition 1. Download and read the Quality
Practice Framework for your desired focus area to help you understand the broad knowledge, skills and capabilities required. 2. Determine whether you want to undertake the tertiary or vocational pathway. 3. Download and read the application forms and templates for the focus area you have chosen. 4. Download and read the terms and conditions. 5. Pay the application fee via
Osteopathy Australia’s website. 6. Lodge the complete application and all requested evidence via email to CPG@osteopathy.org.au. 7. The review process takes about six weeks involving a focus area multidisciplinary review panel, after which you’ll be notified of the outcome, which may require the submission of further evidence to qualify for recognition.
