Adopted: May 2011 To be reviewed: May 2013 Reviewed: September 2013 To be reviewed: September 2015 Appendix 7 DIETETIC CREDENTIALING COUNCIL TERMS OF REFERENCE Composition Chairperson: DAA member (APD) appointed by the Board from the membership of the council for a two year term. (It is desirable that the Chair is an Advanced APD or DAA Fellow) Members: Nine voting members appointed by the Board. Half the members appointed initially for a two year term, and half for a three year term, all with an option for a second two year term. Ongoing membership is two year terms. Six senior practitioners (each must be an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) at least three must be Advanced APD/Fellow DAA at least one must work or have had extensive experience in a rural or regional area at least one must have significant experience in training and education Secretariat: (administrative and professional support) The three domains of entry level practice should be represented i.e. individual case management, community and public health nutrition, and food service management. Three community members not dietitians (one with experience in credentialing and regulation of health professions, one with experience in health professional education and training, one consumer representative). Professional Services Manager (non-voting) Professional Services Registrar (non-voting) TOR.doc Page 1 of 6
Purpose The (DCC) is an independent council of Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) responsible for the implementation of the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) program which is a key part of the self regulation framework for the dietetic profession across Australia. DCC acts to ensure that DAA delivers dietetic credentialing and regulation that is efficient, effective, equitable, accountable and transparent and acts to ensure public safety and professional standards. Role 1. To provide strategic advice to the Board on the: development of standards, codes and guidelines for the APD program for the DAA as a self-regulated profession in line with those of the registered professions development of the credentials within the APD program, i.e. Provisional, Full, Advanced APD and Fellow DAA. implementation of the Accreditation Practising Dietitian Program. continuous quality improvement of the APD program and its processes 2. To ensure that the APD program meets the needs of DAA, its members and other key stakeholders, including consumers, with respect to safety and quality. 3. To liaise closely with the Australian Dietetic Council (ADC) regarding issues common to both Councils and which impact on competency standards, credentialing, regulation, education, accreditation and recognition activities. Functions 1. To provide strategic advice to the Board on current and emerging issues in relation to the credentialing and regulation of health professions in Australia and internationally. 2. To ensure that the policies and processes for the credentialing and auditing of APDs are consistent with the registration of health professions under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). 3. To consult with key stakeholders, including government agencies, the Board, DAA members, and consumers on matters relating to credentialing and self regulation. 4. To consult with the ADC regarding minimum standards for entry to the profession for Australian trained and overseas trained dietitians, and completion of the provisional APD program. 5. To liaise with other DAA committees, the Complaints Committee, the Associate Membership Assessment Advisory Committee (AMAAC), and the Practice, Education and Professional Development Advisory Committee (PEPDAC) on topics of mutual relevance. 6. To provide recommendations to the DAA Board on the maintenance and development of standards, codes and guidelines related to the APD program, including but not limited to a. requirements for continuing professional development b. requirements in relation to the nature, extent, period and currency of any previous practice of the profession by applicants for the APD program c. the scope of practice of APDs including those with dual qualifications d. requirements for professional indemnity insurance arrangements for practitioners TOR.doc Page 2 of 6
e. matters about the criminal history of APDs including the matters to be considered in deciding whether an individual s criminal history is relevant to the practice of the profession f. fitness to practice, including but not limited to the physical and mental health of APDs g. any other issue relevant to the eligibility of individuals for registration in the profession or the suitability of individuals to competently and safely practise the profession. 7. To oversee the monitoring and imposition of conditions on APDs where required, including suspensions imposed on the regulation of practitioners or resumption of practice. 8. To coordinate a program of total quality management and evaluation for credentialing and self regulation. 9. To work with DAA staff to ensure appropriate quality improvement processes with respect to the APD program are in place. 10. To establish reference groups from the general membership to undertake specific activities and ensure these specific activities are undertaken appropriately. 11. To ensure personnel undertaking credentialing and self regulation services on behalf of DAA receive training and support. Communication DCC will meet face to face with the ADC for a full day meeting once per year. Chair of DCC will meet with DAA President and Vice President for face to face meetings twice per year. The Chair may contact the President to discuss matters of concern as required. Board meeting outcomes in response to papers from DCC or matters which may impact DCC will be communicated promptly via a letter from the President. DCC will communicate with members in consultation with or at the request of the Board through a variety of media, such as the DAA Newsletter. Responsibility and Reporting DCC will adhere to the By-law Procedure for operation of independent councils DCC reporting to the board will be via board papers prepared by Professional Services Manager in consultation with DCC Chair. The Council will prepare an Annual Report for inclusion in the DAA Annual Report. Selection Criteria A selection panel will be appointed by the DAA Board. The selection criteria and call for applications should be advertised to members of DAA and other appropriate professional organisations. Applicants are required to submit a formal application addressing the selection criteria and resume. TOR.doc Page 3 of 6
Chair Nominated and appointed by the Board from the APD /AdvAPD/ Fellow DAA members of the Committee It is desirable that the Chair is AdvAPD or Fellow DAA. Demonstrated experience with professional credentialing and regulation issues at a national level Broad high level experience on DAA, government or non-government committees Demonstrated ability to effectively lead high level committees and deliver quality outcomes Practitioner members APD members (Six members) who are not currently members of the Australian Dietetic Council (ADC) or the DAA Board. APD (At least three members must be at Advanced APD or Fellow DAA level) Knowledge of continuing professional development programs Understanding of impact of professional credentialing and regulation issues in contemporary practice Broad experience at DAA committee level or in government or non-government Demonstrated leadership skills with the proven ability to initiate and manage change in a dynamic environment. Demonstrated high-level problem solving and decision-making skills and innovative conceptual skills. Superior interpersonal skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills and an ability to function at a high level of professionalism, sufficient to be demonstrated at senior public or private sector level. (Note: In addition to the essential criteria above, the selection process is to consider that at least one member must work or have substantial experience in a rural or regional area, at least one member will have significant experience in health professional education and training, and the three domains of entry level practice should be represented i.e. individual case management, community and public health nutrition, and food service management). Knowledge and experience of professional credentialing and regulation issues at a national level. An understanding of DAA processes. External members (Three non-daa members not dietitians or nutritionists) Credentialing and regulation representative (One member) This person will bring expertise on credentialing and regulation services from other health professions. This will allow DAA to benchmark services to ensure compliance with best practice standards. TOR.doc Page 4 of 6
Knowledge of the dietetics and nutrition profession Demonstrated expertise in processes relating to professional credentialing and regulation services in a profession other than dietetics. Demonstrated high-level problem solving and decision-making skills and innovative conceptual skills. Broad committee experience in a professional association context. Having an international perspective on professional recognition and accreditation. Experience in projects relating to skills recognition and professional standards in collaboration with other professions, thus having an inter-professional perspective. Health professional education and training representative (One member) This person will bring expertise on health professional education and training from other health professions. This will allow DAA to benchmark services to ensure compliance with best practice standards. Knowledge of the dietetics and nutrition profession Demonstrated expertise in processes relating to health professional education and training in a profession other than dietetics. Demonstrated high-level problem solving and decision-making skills and innovative conceptual skills. Broad committee experience in a professional association context. Having an international perspective on professional recognition and accreditation. Experience in projects relating to skills recognition and professional standards in collaboration with other professions, thus having an inter-professional perspective. External member health consumer representative (One member) This person will bring a consumer perspective to the Council and help ensure equity and transparency. Currently engaged in consumer advocacy role in a health or related area. Familiarity with the legislation, key bodies and influences relevant to the protection of the interests of consumers of allied health services in the Australian community. Access to communication networks to monitor contemporary issues relevant to the practice of dietetics. Demonstrated interpersonal and advocacy skills to support active participation in Committee business. TOR.doc Page 5 of 6
Knowledge of contemporary issues relating to professional credentialing and regulation in Australia. Knowledge of the dietetics and nutrition profession Organisational structure of DAA relating to (DCC) Provide advice and make recommendations on credentialing, regulation and CPD DAA Board Dietetic Credentialing Council Australian Dietetic Council Communication between committees Ongoing reporting of credentialing, regulation and CPD activities Associate Member Assessment Advisory Committee Complaints Committee Practice Communication Education and Professional Development between committees Advisory Committee Provide administrative and professional support Professional Services Unit (Professional Services Manager) Complaints Committee TOR.doc Page 6 of 6