The Road to Voluntary Registration Terry Johnson VRC Chair & Registrar

Overview How did it start? How did it start? What is it all about? What is it all about? Why run a voluntary register? Why run a voluntary register? How will regulation affect my profession? How will regulation affect my profession? What's in it for me? What's in it for me? How do I get registered? How do I get registered?

How did it start? Summer 2003 DoH meetings with several professions indicating intention to proceed to formal regulation. Summer 2003 DoH meetings with several professions indicating intention to proceed to formal regulation. September 30th 2004 – meeting in Birmingham, Prof. Sue Hill outlines the proposal to form Voluntary Registration Council. September 30th 2004 – meeting in Birmingham, Prof. Sue Hill outlines the proposal to form Voluntary Registration Council.

Voluntary Registration Council November 25 th 2004 inaugural meeting. November 25 th 2004 inaugural meeting. RCCP provided valuable support in the beginning. RCCP provided valuable support in the beginning. July 2005 was the first meeting of VRC as it stands today. July 2005 was the first meeting of VRC as it stands today. September 2005 first full VRC meeting. September 2005 first full VRC meeting.

What’s it all about? Registration is a form of regulation. Registration is a form of regulation. Regulated professions work to defined standards. Regulated professions work to defined standards. Those who are being regulated sign up to abide by a Professional Code of Conduct thus making them (by definition) professionals. Those who are being regulated sign up to abide by a Professional Code of Conduct thus making them (by definition) professionals.

Why run a Voluntary Register? The Health Professions Council (HPC) was established as a result of the Health Professions Order 2001 (Statutory Instrument 2002 No 254). The Health Professions Council (HPC) was established as a result of the Health Professions Order 2001 (Statutory Instrument 2002 No 254). It is an HPC requirement that professions operate a voluntary register for a period of at least two years. It is an HPC requirement that professions operate a voluntary register for a period of at least two years.

Why run a Voluntary Register? HPC also requires that a minimum of 25% of the membership of any profession is voluntarily registered. HPC also requires that a minimum of 25% of the membership of any profession is voluntarily registered. In addition 25% must belong to a professional body. In addition 25% must belong to a professional body. In reality it takes a good deal longer than two years to get a registration process (to the right standard) up and running. In reality it takes a good deal longer than two years to get a registration process (to the right standard) up and running.

Effects on the Profession Rationalisation of standards via: Rationalisation of standards via: Standards of proficiency Standards of proficiency Agreed scope of professional practice Agreed scope of professional practice Approved qualifications Approved qualifications Approved training and education Approved training and education Professional code of conduct Professional code of conduct

Effects on the Profession Practitioners need to be registered to practice. Practitioners need to be registered to practice. Training, education and qualification therefore become mandatory. Training, education and qualification therefore become mandatory. Status of the profession increases as practitioners can now call themselves “Professionals”. Status of the profession increases as practitioners can now call themselves “Professionals”.

What’s in it for me? Professional status. In a regulatory sense you are on the same level as Biomedical Scientists, Physiotherapists, Radiographers, Nurses, etc. Professional status. In a regulatory sense you are on the same level as Biomedical Scientists, Physiotherapists, Radiographers, Nurses, etc. Clear and well defined training, education and qualification. Clear and well defined training, education and qualification.

What’s in it for me? Being registered (even voluntarily) has an impact in Agenda for Change terms. Being registered (even voluntarily) has an impact in Agenda for Change terms. With defined standards of proficiency and scope of professional practice everyone has clear operating standards. With defined standards of proficiency and scope of professional practice everyone has clear operating standards.

Established to lead Healthcare Science professions to regulation by HPC or any other approved formal regulatory body. Established to lead Healthcare Science professions to regulation by HPC or any other approved formal regulatory body. Has the mechanisms and administration in place to run voluntary registers. Has the mechanisms and administration in place to run voluntary registers. Funding initially provided by the Department of Health. Funding initially provided by the Department of Health. Currently represents six professions (seven groups). Currently represents six professions (seven groups).

Anatomical Pathology Technologists Anatomical Pathology Technologists Critical Care Technologists Critical Care Technologists Ophthalmic Science Practitioners Ophthalmic Science Practitioners

Diabetic Retinopathy Screeners Diabetic Retinopathy Screeners Genetic Technologists (two groups) Genetic Technologists (two groups) Cytotechnologists Cytotechnologists Tissue Banking Technologists Tissue Banking Technologists

How do I Register? Information relating to the registration process including entry criteria, application forms and fees is available via the VRC website: Information relating to the registration process including entry criteria, application forms and fees is available via the VRC website:

Entry Criteria Are specific to the profession Are specific to the profession In line with the other professions managed by VRC In line with the other professions managed by VRC Significant input expected from the professional body. Significant input expected from the professional body. Become more stringent with time. Become more stringent with time.

How do I Register? Either download the application form, application guidance and Code of Conduct from the VRC website Either download the application form, application guidance and Code of Conduct from the VRC websiteOR Contact Stephanie Gunn, Contact Stephanie Gunn, VRC Administration, Suite 4, Sovereign House, 22 Gate Lane, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield. West Midlands. B73 5TT. Tel:

The Future There is much to do before a submission is made to HPC. There is much to do before a submission is made to HPC. Professional body to establish clear training, education and qualification in conjunction with Skills for Health. Professional body to establish clear training, education and qualification in conjunction with Skills for Health. Submission for formal regulation will be made at the earliest opportunity and when circumstances permit. Submission for formal regulation will be made at the earliest opportunity and when circumstances permit.