Professional Practice Requirements
The minimum requirements for professional practice for SLPs and audiologists are outlined in three key documents: Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and Competency Profiles. The requirements set out in these documents apply to all regulated members, regardless of their practice setting or whether they provide clinical or non-clinical services.
- The Code of Ethics outlines the ethical principles, values, and responsibilities to which regulated members must adhere.
- The Standards of Practice are the established measures or norms which define the minimum level of professional performance that regulated members must demonstrate in their practice.
- Each Competency Profile states the minimum knowledge and skills required for entry to practice into the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.
- Breach of the minimum requirements, outlined in these documents, may constitute unprofessional conduct as per the HPA.
- Advisory statements, guidelines, position statements, and protocols have been developed by ACSLPA to support the professional practice of regulated members.
Restricted Activities
Under Alberta legislation, restricted activities are high-risk activities performed as part of a healthcare service; they require specific competencies and skills to be carried out safely.
- Regulated members of ACSLPA may only perform the restricted activities that they are authorized and competent to perform. Under the HPA, both SLPs and audiologists are authorized to perform certain restricted activities in relation to or as part of providing a health service.
- ACSLPA’s Standards of Practice on restricted activities outline the minimum requirements for performing and supervising others in the performance of restricted activities.
Continuing Competence
- SLPs and audiologists have an obligation under the Standards of Practice to maintain and enhance their competence to provide professional services over the course of their practice.
- The HPA requires all colleges to have a Continuing Competence Program (CCP) to monitor the ongoing competence of regulated members and enhance the provision of professional services.
- Participation in the CCP is mandatory for all ACSLPA regulated members.
- Completion of the CCP is a requirement for practice permit renewal for all regulated members who apply to renew their registration as practicing members on the General Register.
The CCP is comprised of three components: CCP Activities, CCP Audit, CCP Practice Assessment.
CCP Activities: CCP activities are the professional development activities undertaken by regulated members throughout the practice year, which they report on during renewal.
Activity categories include:
- Continuing Education Report
- Peer Dialogue Reflection
- Risks & Supports Profile
CCP Audit: An audit or review of regulated members’ CCP submissions takes place annually. It is designed to identify regulated members whose written CCP submissions indicate that they did not satisfactorily compete the required CCP activities in the practice year.
CCP Practice Assessment: The progressive assessment process is designed to evaluate whether regulated members are practicing according to the minimum requirements of their profession.
The practice assessment has three stages:
- Interview: allows the member to provide clarifying and/or additional information on their CCP submission and indicate that these activities were completed satisfactorily.
- Record Review: evaluates whether the regulated member practices in compliance with the minimum requirements of their profession, as evidenced by the records, which may include client records.
- On-Site Practice Visit: Direct observation of the regulated member during the provision of professional services to determine whether they practice in compliance with the minimum requirements of their profession.
Failure to complete the CCP or unsatisfactory completion of any portion of the CCP will result in the regulated member being referred to ACSLPA’s Competence Committee. In response, the Committee may take a number of actions, which may include placing conditions on the regulated member’s practice permit.