Consultation concerning the profession-specific standards of proficiency for paramedics has just closed (31 January 2014); paramedics and stakeholders (e.g. providers of education, employers, other professional bodies and those people who use the services of the paramedic) were invited to take part in the consultation process. Those who replied to the consultation exercise were asked to consider the following when making their response:
‘These standards of proficiency will provide an explanation of the essential obligations expected of registered paramedics by the Health and Care Professions Council’
The consultation concerned proposed changes that are to be made to the profession-specific standards of proficiency for paramedics. These standards of proficiency will provide an explanation of the essential obligations expected of registered paramedics by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and ultimately the public—the HCPC are required by law to set standards in order to protect the public. Other standards of proficiency for other professions are also in the process of being reviewed. This review of the standards of proficiency has provided paramedics and others with an opportunity to ensure that they are relevant to the profession, ensuring the standards are appropriate for contemporary practice (they will need to be fit for purpose), that they reflect statutory changes (and there have been many changes from a statutory perspective) and are applicable to the practising paramedic.
The current standards of proficiency have gone through a number of iterations which were published by the HCPC in 2012 (HCPC, 2012a). Paramedics are also required to adhere to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (HCPC, 2012b).
‘The standards of proficiency are of importance to all paramedics and impact on their ability to practise safely and legally; they are not a remote list of skills that apply to some and not to all’
The rationale for the review of the standards are manifold: they need to reflect current practice or changes in the scope of practice; the language used in the standards will be updated to ensure it is relevant to the practice of the profession, as well as reflecting changes in the present use of terminology. There will also be an opportunity, because of the review, to clarify the intention of existing standards and to address omissions or to do away with duplication. The consultation is timely for a profession that continues to develop.
There are a number of reasons why the revised content of the standards of proficiency will be important for the profession and the individual paramedic. Programmes of study that satisfy the HCPC's requirements can permit individual professional registration (entry onto the professional register). The key role of the standards of proficiency is in articulating the skills, knowledge and abilities required to become a first time registrant. Hence, a programme meeting the standards of education and training will also meet the standards of proficiency.
The standards of proficiency are of importance to all paramedics and impact on their ability to practise safely and legally; they are not a remote list of skills that apply to some and not to all. The standards are key in how someone becomes and remains registered with the HCPC. Each time a registrant makes an application to renew their registration, the HCPC requires them to sign a declaration, by doing this the registrant is confirming that they will continue to meet the standards of proficiency associated with the profession. Should a registrant's competence be called into question, the HCPC have the ability to consider the standards of proficiency when making a decision concerning the need to take any action against the practitioner. They may make use of the standards to decide if the paramedic is practising safely and effectively within their scope of practice.
A paramedic's scope of practice (the area or areas in which the paramedic has the knowledge, skills and experience to practise legally, safely and effectively) is judged against the standards of proficiency, ensuring that the paramedic does not pose any danger to the public or to themselves. A paramedic's scope of practice may change over time for a number of reasons; for example, the paramedic may become more focused developing specialised skills and expertise, what is essential is that the paramedic (in what ever sphere of practice) demonstrates that their scope of practice is safe and effective and they are not carrying out any activities that they are not proficient to undertake.
‘The College of Paramedics has already undertaken a review of the standards and has provided the HCPC with their comments and feedback, this then resulted in the production of the draft standards of proficiency’
The College of Paramedics has already undertaken a review of the standards and has provided the HCPC with their comments and feedback, this then resulted in the production of the draft standards of proficiency. Now the HCPC are considering if any further amendments are required to these draft standards.
After the HCPC Council approves the final revised standards, they will be published. Education providers, for example, will have to phase-in the new standards post publication. Each paramedic will also need to ensure that they are conversant with the new standards, as they will have an impact on individual practitioners and their practice.