SASLHA: For all Audiologists and Speech-Languagee Therapists

Transcription

1 SASLHA: For all Audiologists and Speech-Languagee Therapists All qualified Speech-languagee Therapists, Audiologists, Community speech-language therapists and/ or Audiologists, Hearing Aid Acousticians and Speech Correctionists who are registered with the HPCSA are eligible for SASLHA membership. Studentt Membership (with full membership benefits) is also extended to registered Speech-language therapy and/or Audiology students. SASLHA is our professional association, made up of like-minded professionals. It is here to serve these professionals in order to provide better service to their clients, as well as promote the profession of speech-language therapy and audiology to the general public in South Africa. SASLHA membership benefits therapists working in both the public and the private sector, as SASLHA is involved with issues affecting the profession as a whole. For your very reasonable and competitive membership fees, you receive: Information regarding the development and growth of the profession in terms of new technology or new research through publications, namely the annual South African Journal of Communication Disorders, the Communiphon (now available on the SASLHA website) and the monthly electronic E-zine News about job opportunities are conveyed to the members on a regular basis, via the Internet and textt messages News regarding the latest testing, assessment and therapy equipment is advertised in our publications and on our website Continuous professional development in the comfort of your own home (Electronic CPD) or through exciting workshops and conferences Notifications of CPD opportunities by outside providers, posted on the SASLHA website under Events Opportunities to participate in South African research on Speech Therapy and Audiology through SASLHA s principle of making surveys available to its members at no cost to the researcher Advertisement opportunities to SASLHA members, available at competitive rates Public awareness campaigns and professional marketing material An entry in the Find a Professional function on the SASLHA website, allowing anyone to find the nearest SASLHA-registered therapist

2 Online access to international journals: o o Seminars in Audiology Seminars in Speech and Language Healthman services, which are included in your membership fees Ethics Q&A section and a general Q&A section within the secure section of the SASLHA website 400 FREE sms that can be sent anytime, per month from within website the SASLHA SASLHA has associate membership to both the IALP and ISA Active SASLHA Facebook page where friends and colleagues keep in touch SASLHA is in the process of a Mutual Recognition Agreement with ASHA, CASLPA, RCSLT and Speech Pathology Australia, which should be completed by 2016 SASLHA is run by a National Council who is elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting, made up of council members who serve on a voluntary basis. Office bearers include The President, the Vice President and the Treasurer, four Zone Representatives, Chairpersonss of the standing committees, namely Ethics and Standards, Public Relations and Marketing, Coding Committee and various other office bearers (explained below). The Professional Development Portfolio: This portfolio s primary functionn is to co-ordinate all of the SASLHA activities that enable our members to grow as professionals and to comply with the necessary ethical and other regulatory requirements in order to practice in their chosen profession. These activities can grouped into 4 broad categories. They are: SASLHA publications, continuing professional development (CPD) activities, SASLHA conference programme co-ordination, and the liaison between SASLHA and the Universities that train future professionals. Within each of these categories there are a number of task teams or committees which run relatively independently of one another. For instance our publication committee currently produces 3 different publications: the South African Journal of Communication Disorders (SAJCD), the Communiphon and the E-zine. With regard to continuing professional development, the committee receives and evaluates applications for potential CEU accreditation and SASLHA also runs an internet

3 CPD programme which members may access from the SASLHA website. The task teams and committees are currently co-ordinated by the Professional Development Officer, who liaises between members of the various committees and the rest of the SASLHA Council members at SASLHA s quarterly council meetings. Professional Liaison Officer: : The purpose of the Professional Liaison Officer's portfolio is to build and support a representative community of professionals within our borders, within Africa, and within the larger international arena. It encompasses the SASLHA goals of: Raising the profile of SASLHA Promoting members best interests in all spheres of professional activity Enabling members to access knowledge and resources Lobbying and advocating for recognition of the professions Lobbying for improved provision of services Recognition, collaboration and support for the profession within Africa and the wider international context. Coding Committee: In collaboration with Healthman: Annual surveys to SASLHA members in order to conduct cost surveys for the following year To attend meetings at Department of Health as needed To publish the NHRPL on Healthman s website To guide and answer questions and concerns regarding NHRPL To attend meetings regarding ICD 10 codes in order to inform SASLHA members re relevant and new information Public Relations and Marketing Committee: The underlying focus of this standing committee is the promotion of the profession. To encourage colleagues to join SASLHA to add strength to the professional voice

4 To update members on matters of interest related to awareness campaigns and marketing projects, to facilitate greater enthusiasm and create a feeling of belonging To provide the public, and medical and paramedical professionals with information regarding the realm of communication disorders and the role of the therapist To make every effort to use the available media (TV, Radio, Internet) and any other format (including articles in journals, magazines, consumer publications, newspapers) to inform and educate Ethics and Standards Committee: The SASLHA ESC committee develops guidelines and standards of the highest quality for professional conduct and behaviour and provides advice and reference to appropriate guidelines when SASLHA members are confronted by ethical dilemmas that concern their rights and duties. SASLHA Zone Representatives: There are 4 zones, each represented on National Council by a Zone Representative: Zone 1: Free State, North West, Johannesburg/ Southern Gauteng Zone 2: Pretoria/Northern Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo Zone 3: Northern Cape, Western Cape Zone 4: Kwa-Zulu Natal, Eastern Cape SASLHA Zone members comprise therapists working in a wide variety of environments, from very urban to deep rural, private, public and the universities. Zone members receive regular s, unless they choose not to, about profession-related issues, such as CPD and work opportunities around the country, and other information related to Speech Therapy and Audiology. There are also CPD opportunities arranged within the zone, which SASLHA members benefit from additionally in the form of reduced registration fees. Support is also offered in terms of advice or referral to people who can be contacted for specific information. Suggestions for specific CPD events or other needs are welcomed, so that each Zone can better serve all its SASLHA members Conferences and Seminars: The SASLHA AGM takes place annually, linked with an appropriate academic programme. The next AGM/Seminar will be held in Johannesburg during May 2014 and in Cape Town

5 during May SASLHA is also actively involved in the organizing of the annual ENT/SASLHA/SAAA conference 2014, which will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in October SASLHA Membership: The SASLHA membership year runs from 1 April 2014 to 28 February Membership fees are due in full by the 30 th April in 2014 and by the 31 st of March each year thereafter. Fees can be paid in equal instalments divided between February, March and April 2014 and between January, February and March each year thereafter. SASLHA Office: SASLHA has an Admin Office, situated in Northcliff, which is run by E2 Solutions to handle the day-to-day admin of the Association. Our Office Manager is Dudu Mokoto, who can be contacted at admin@saslha.co.za or during office hours. SASLHA has a website ( which is user-friendly and updated on a regular basis. If you would like to join SASLHA, please contact Dudu at the SASLHA Office and she will assist you. Phone: Fax: (011) admin@saslha.co.za You can also log on to the SASLHA website: Wishing you a prosperous 2014!