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Physiotherapy Professional Development Opportunities
Continuing professional development is the means by which members of the profession maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise and competence, and develop the personal and professional qualities required throughout their professional lives.
The Physiotherapy Board of Australia’s Continuing professional development registration standard requires all physiotherapists practising in Australia to maintain a portfolio that documents their participation in continuing professional development (CPD) and is a record of learning aims and reflection of impact on practice.
The CPD activity must be targeted towards a clinician’s chosen scope of practice. For Guide Healthcare clinicians, this is in the area of gerontology.
A minimum of 20 hours of CPD must be completed annually. Physiotherapist’s need to make a declaration of CPD activity to the Board as evidence that they meet the requirements of the CPD standard. At Guide Healthcare, we’re committed to assisting our clinicians to achieve this standard.
How we support our staff members with learning opportunities throughout the year
Whilst we encourage all of our clinicians to complete self-directed learning, we are committed to providing more structured opportunities for expansion of knowledge and improved competence.
Throughout the course of the year, staff members are given opportunities to participate in the following:
Formal learning activities
Online learning (interactive discussions)
In-service education programs
Career-specific learning groups
Making presentations
Video-conferencing
Non-formal and incidental learning activities
Reflecting on experience in day-to-day activities
Reading research articles and opinion pieces
Viewing evidence-based video content
On-site contact with other professionals
Information sharing at meetings
Internet research
Orientation Program
Taking on a new role can be a daunting and challenging process for allied health clinicians. At Guide Healthcare, we’re committed to ensuring that each clinician is confident in the expectations and requirements of their role.
Before commencing work on their first day, all new staff members are provided with simple learning resources to prepare them for their orientation week. Their new orientation handbook also serves as a great reference point should any potential issues arise in the early stages of their employment.
All Guide clinicians receive a minimum 1-week structured on-site orientation program which covers:
Site orientation, including emergency procedures
Rostering and accounting system
Online learning platform
Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI)
Australian Aged Care Quality Standards and accreditations
Managing a treatment list
Assessments and care plans
Reporting requirements
Falls management and post-fall reviews
Manual handling training and assessment
Return from hospital planning and family case conferences
Operating in an evidence-based framework
New Graduate Program
At Guide Healthcare, we absolutely love having new graduates join our team. New graduates bring enthusiasm, fresh ideas and a fresh approach to their clinical practice. In saying that, it’s important that companies support this enthusiasm and provide regular learning opportunities to create both confident and competent clinicians.
Guide’s new graduate program offers a structured 16-week learning course covering key aspects of physiotherapy practice in the aged care setting, gerontological physiotherapy, individual challenges and peer-driven topics.
New graduates meet fortnightly to discuss new topics and revise self-directed learning opportunities. Each session is coordinated by one of our experienced aged care physiotherapists. Providing education with new staff members only creates a safe learning space, where clinicians are encouraged to share ideas and knowledge to improve practice.
Limited Registration Program
Guide Healthcare has assisted several overseas trained physiotherapists through the limited registration process. We understand the requirements of each level of practice and have designed a structured training program to support limited registration clinicians to meet their learning outcomes.
Depending on the current level, supervisors meet with clinicians as regularly as weekly for learning and reflection sessions. These will occur either face-to-face or over zoom, depending on the individuals’ supervision requirements.
Annual Professional Development Bonus
Aged Care Residents have the right to expect that physiotherapists providing treatments and programs do so in a competent and contemporary manner. CPD can improve competence and result in better outcomes for residents. CPD is important in the continued provision of safe and effective services by health professionals.
Each Guide Healthcare clinician receives an annual CPD bonus as part of their salary package. Staff are encouraged and supported to engage in learning opportunities that are of interest to them. Currently, we have team members who have completed the APA’s Level 1 and 2 Gerontology Course, the PD Warrior program and the Modern Management of the Older Adult course, just to name a few.
Learning Hub
Self-directed learning is a great way to strengthen a clinician’s knowledge and allows them to create learning opportunities in specific areas of interest.
We have created an online learning platform as part of our staff portal, which is stocked with research articles, expert opinion pieces, infographics and video content, all categorised into key learning areas.
All staff members are encouraged to contribute to the learning platform by uploading interesting or newly published content. Together, our teams contribute to ongoing learning and build a community of expert clinicians.
Contact us.
General Enquiries
admin@guidehealthcare.com.au
02 9663 0387