Panel #3 College/Institute with Diploma Programs Presented by Ellen Hughes, Dean School of Health Sciences Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

NAIT Health Sciences Programs Two-Year Diploma Programs –Diagnostic Imaging Medical Radiologic Technology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Combined Lab & X-Ray –Diagnostic Laboratory Medical Laboratory Techhnology, Cytotechnology –Community Care EMT-Paramedic, Animal Health Technology –Dental Health Sciences Dental Lab, Denturist

NAIT Health Sciences Programs Three-Year Diploma Program –Respiratory Therapy Certificate Programs –Medical Laboratory Assisting, Dental Assisting

Degree Options at NAIT In Alberta, all post-secondary institutions can offer applied degrees (terminal, include one-year of paid internship) NAIT has not been able to offer regular baccalaureate degrees Legislation will likely be passed in the fall of 2003 allowing all post-secondary institutions a mechanism for degree approval NAIT could then offer a Bachelor of Technology if approved by a provincial committee Funding issues – there is no mechanism to access funds for new programs

Current Articulation Options at NAIT Athabasca University (Post-Diploma B.Sc. In Human Science); 2+2 model; in the past this was not accepted by CAMRT MLT graduates receive almost two years of credit towards B.Sc. (MLS) program at the University of Alberta Usually some advanced credit towards degrees such as adult education

Alberta Government Position in MRT Alberta Learning and Alberta Health & Wellness support the diploma as entry-to-practice and not the degree They would only increase the provincially legislated entry-to-practice requirements if the increase is required for safe and competent practice Majority of employers in Alberta have not indicated dissatisfaction with the current diploma standard All stakeholders support educational options for students such as degree completion articulation

Repercussions NAIT diploma graduates will not be able to access the CAMRT national certification examination in 2005 Regulatory body (AAMRT, soon to be the College for Medical Radiation Technologists and Therapists) will have to develop an Alberta licensing process Other provinces, through the Agreement on Internal Trade, will have to evaluate the Alberta diploma for equivalency and set up mechanisms for Alberta graduates if it is not deemed to be equivalent

CMA Accreditation CAMRT has developed a national competency profile and has a conjoint partnership with CMA Regulatory college in Alberta would need a separate partnership with CMA and permission to use the national profile Will this occur given the national partnership? Will CMA accredit programs for which students cannot write the national certification examination? Is CMA accreditation in jeopardy for the NAIT MRT program?

Any province which maintains a diploma exit for entry-to-practice even if CAMRT accepts articulation options will face the same issues

Future Options for Educational Programs with Diploma Exits Pursue relevant degree-completion options with universities (ex. Adult Education, Management) so that graduates can eventually challenge national certification examinations According to CAMRT, the diploma portion of the program still has to be eligible for CMA accreditation even if there are acceptable articulation options Apply for degree implementation extension from CAMRT

Student Issues –High costs of post-secondary education often lead to a high debt load –If they take time between diploma and degree completion: At a disadvantage in writing a profession-specific content- based examination May find it hard to secure employment outside of training province –If they don’t break between diploma exit and degree articulation: Their radiology-specific skills will diminish without work experience Without work experience, they will find it difficult to choose most appropriate degree completion option

Recommendation That the CAMRT grant a blanket extension to all provinces for up to five years beyond the 2005 deadline until all implications are understood, provincial government and employer consultation has occurred, and the requirements of the degree are more clearly articulated

Recommendation That professions in future who decide to pursue degree as entry-to-practice consult with governments, educational institutions, and employers to ensure that this is the best option and to understand all the ramifications of decisions

Questions Should a change in credential be driven by a change in the scope of practice? Do all members of a profession need a degree credential?

Questions Is entry into a profession the best time for students to learn skills such as management? How will degree as entry-to-practice affect projected workforce shortages? Salaries?