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: dssinfo@ucc.ie

Web:www.ucc.ie/dss