Early in the work of the transitional Council, the need to develop competency profiles for our two main categories of membership was recognized. The need became more pressing when the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care urged us to develop a competency-based registration model, rather than one based on specific credentials.
Four external participants work with the task group to provide the much-needed RMHT perspective. They work in the community college system and are knowledgeable about one or more programs that prepare students likely to become members of the new College. These external representatives are called “subject matter experts” (SMEs); they are not voting members of the task group.
The competency profiles will underpin development of other tools and resources required by the College, including a framework for reviewing education / training programs, prior learning assessment (PLA) tools and the quality assurance program, among others.
What are Competency Profiles?
The Draft Entry-to-Practice Competency Profiles for Registered Mental Health Therapists and Registered Psychotherapists list the competencies required of individuals entering practice for the first time so that they may practise safely, effectively and ethically across a variety of practice settings.
In spring 2011, Council appointed the Competency Profiles Task Group, with representation from both the Registration and Professional Practice Committees. Council member Linda Ann Daly is the chair. Working with an outside consulting firm, the group used the Ontario Coalition of Mental Health Professionals’ Entry-to-Practice Competency Profile as the starting point.
