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Trinity College Dublin Second Annual Disability Service
Symposium
The Development and Implementation Plans for UCC Fitness to Practice Policy
June 26th 2013
Outline of Presentation
Background
What do we Understand by Term Fitness to Practice?
Development of U.C.C. Fitness to Practice Policy
Raison D’Etre
Implementation of Fitness to Practice Policy- University wide approach
Implementation of FTP- Role of Co-Ordinators
Implementation of FTP- Role of Central Administration
Implementation of FTP – School and University Committees
Role of the Disability Support Service
Dissemination of information to staff and students
Conclusion
Background and Reasons to Development of Fitness to Practice Policy
• Approximately 2,500 students studying for professional degree programmes in UCC
• DSS interest as currently 142 students with disabilities /specific learning difficulties
registered with the Service and pursuing professional degree programmes
Disciplines subject to FTP Policy:
• Nursing and Midwifery Degree Programmes
• Pharmacy
• Social Work
• Youth and Community Work
• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Teacher Education
What Do We Understand By the Term Fitness to Practice?
Fit to Practice
• “To describe an individual as Fit to Practice‟ in the context of certain
professions is to say that he or she possesses the attributes
considered necessary in an individual to allow that individual to
practice as an independent practitioner in the relevant profession”
Other Terms Sometimes Used
• Fit for Practice
• Fit for Placement
• Fit to Progress
Development of U.C.C. Fitness to Practice Policy – 2010-2012
Working Group consisted of:
Chair: Dr. Michael Byrne, Head of Student Health Service
Representatives from Professional Degree Programmes
Student Ombudsman
Head of the Disability Support Service
Representative from Office of Corporate and Legal Affairs
Policy endorsed by Academic Council – Dec. 2012
Raison D’Etre
Fitness to Practice policies and procedures are needed to ensure
that, in addition to having achieved the required academic standard
to undertake professional practice, individuals also:
1. Have the capacity to perform key skills and tasks (core
competencies)
2. Are healthy of body and mind so as to be able to practice in their
profession
3. Conduct and behave themselves so as not to harm their patients,
clients, or service users or put them at risk
4. Conduct themselves in a manner likely not to harm the reputation of
their profession
Implementation of FTP – A University Wide Approach
Role/Responsibilities of Co-ordinators of Professional Degree Programme Health Standards Competencies Develop options for exit routes
Role/Responsibilities of Administration and Student Health Service Development of process for students to disclose at registration
Development of Health Declaration Form Follow up from disclosure Recording Information – Systems Administration Recording Information – Student Records and Examinations
Office
Role/Responsibilities of the University Administration of Fitness to Practice Policy Communication of Fitness to Practice Policy to staff and
students
Role/Responsibilities of Disability Support Service Provision of advice on Reasonable Accommodations in Clinical Practice
Development of Resource Guide to assist staff working with students with disabilities in professional degree programmes
Implementation of FTP- Role of Programme Co-Ordinators
Developed Health Standards based on Occupational Health Expert Advice
Considered Best Practice from UK: Higher Education Occupational Practitioners (HEOPS)
and adapted to Irish context
Approved by HSE Occupational Health Expert
General Principles underlying Health Standards
Broad statements of standards expected is best
Health standards do need to be Programme specific
Competencies
Co-ordinators developed Competencies for all professional degree programmes subject to
FTP. A full list is available at
http://www.ucc.ie/en/academicsecretariat/fitnesstopractise/corecompetenciesandhealthmatter
sandconductandbehaviourstandards
Exit Routes:
Students reaching academic standard but not FTP
Exit with an alternative non –professional qualification
Implementation of FTP- Central Administration
Developed Health Declaration Form
All students pursuing professional programmes subject to FTP are required to
complete a Health Declaration Form in relation to good health at registration.
Student confirms that they have read and understood Fitness to Practice
Policy guidelines and whether a health/conduct concern is relevant.
Next Steps After Disclosure:
• If a student discloses a health or conduct related concern in the Health
Declaration Form, a review is conducted by the Student Health Department
and referred to a Consultant Occupational Physician if necessary
FLOW CHART RE SELF-DECLARED OR REPORTED HEALTH CONCERNS FOR FITNESS TO PRACTISE
Health Concern Declared by Student or Reported to Head of School as possibly impairing Fitness to Practise
Health Disclosure Form Completed by Student or by Head of School
Details of Health Disclosure Form reviewed by Student Health Department
Fitness to Train Certificate Issued (with Recommended accommodations where deemed
appropriate) accommodations)
YES
Consultant Occupational Health Physician Review Required?
No
Matter addressed through local
measures
Matter considered by School Fitness to Practise Committee
YES No
Reasonable accommodations Implemented where appropriate
DSS Input High Level Reasonable Accommodations
DSS Input Low Level Reasonable Accommodations
Implementation of FTP- Central Administration
Student Records and Examinations Office:
Recording process so that students progress to next year/graduation if they
• Reach the agreed academic standards
• Deemed Fit to Practice
Role of DSS in FTP Implementation Process:
• Provision of advice on reasonable accommodations for students with
disabilities to Clinical Placement Co-Ordinators
• Development of Clinical Needs Assessment template in collaboration with
staff in clinical placement environment
• Development of Resource Guide to assist staff working with students with
disabilities & Specific Learning Difficulties in professional degree programmes
Implementation of FTP - Committees
School FTP committee impose all sanctions except:
• Non-Progression from year to year
• Non-Professional Qualification exit route
University FTP committee impose all sanctions incl:
• Non-Progression from year to year
• Non-Professional Qualification exit route
Operation of School and University FTP Procedures
• Monitored by the University FTP Committee
• Will inform revisions, additions and deletions to FTP Policy
Appeals Committee:
• A separate Appeals Committee will review all appeals vis a vis Fitness to
Practice Outcomes
Dissemination of FTP Information to Students and Staff
• Marks and Standards
• College Calendar
• Course Information Leaflets
• Course Web page
• Course Handbooks
• Placement and Supervision Contracts
• Mid-Placement and Final Placement Assessment Forms
• General Course Information Documents
Conclusion
• Information on Fitness to Practice is available on the UCC website at:
http://www.ucc.ie/en/academicsecretariat/FitnesstoPractise/
Contact
Mary O’Grady
Disability Support Officer
Phone: 021 490 2985
Email: [email protected]
Web:www.ucc.ie/dss