CPD Programmes Medical Laboratory Scientist
Recertification programmes for Medical Laboratory Scientists
The Council has accredited the following Continual Professional Development (CPD) Programme Providers for Medical Laboratory Scientists:
- New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science (NZIMLS)
- Australasian Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine Inc (AACB)
- New Zealand Hospital Scientific Officer’s Association Inc.
These providers have met the Council’s accreditation standards as set out in the “Standards for Accredited CPD Programme Providers” policy document.
When other providers are granted accreditation, they will be added to the list.
CPD requirements
The new CPD requirements for Medical Laboratory Scientist apply from 1 January 2021.
- Health practitioners must do 40-hours of CPD within each consecutive two-year cycle (biennium).
- At least 15 hours of CPD must be done each year, during a consecutive cycle.
- 24-hours CPD must relate to activities classified as substantive CPD during each biennium. Note: substantive activities have significant intellectual or practical content that is relevant to the scope of practice - for more details about this view the CPD Policy.
CPD and compliance audit
There will be no audit in 2023, however, health practitioners must continue to engage in CPD during 2023. The next audit will be completed in 2024 and will cover the January 2022 to December 2023 cycle. In 2024, the Council will audit up to 40% of medical laboratory science practitioners.
Please note the CPD policy will be updated in due course with the recent changes to the CPD cycle.
The audit provides assurance to the public and the Minister of Health that medical laboratory science practitioners are engaging in appropriate CPD, that supports their ongoing competence to practise.
Exemptions
Exemption requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All requests to be exempted from an audit must be made within 10 working days of you being notified that you have been selected for audit. You can email these requests to mscaudit@medsci.co.nz
If you have any queries about the CPD Audit or what to do, view the FAQs under CPD Professional Development (CPD).
Auditing
If you are called for audit in 2024 you will be required to provide the following documentation:
Part A of the form is for you to complete, and Part B is for you and your employer to complete. If you hold an APC in more than one scope of practice, you need to submit a declaration for each scope of practice.
A brief description of key responsibilities in your current and previous roles. This information helps us align your logged CPD activities with your professional role, and track recent practice hours. Your employment history should cover the audit period: January 2022 - December 2023 (two consecutive years/biennium).
A logbook listing the CPD activities you have completed between January 2022 and December 2023. The list should include the following information for each activity:
- Date and time of CPD activity.
- Location of activity (if applicable).
- Type of CPD activity - substantive or general CPD activity.
- Brief description of the activity.
- CPD hours for the activity.
- Source, reference, provider details, or name of facilitator/speaker.
- A total of substantive and general activities completed each year.
Provide four reflective statements:
- One must be related to your scope of practice (substantive activities).
- One must be related to ethical practice.
- One must be related to culturally appropriate practice.
- And one of your own choices (in addition to the three above).
Provide evidence (attendance certificates, attendance sheets or references to articles you wrote or read) for three of the CPD activities you have completed between January and December 2022.
You must provide all requested documentation before the due date, otherwise, you can delay your audit results.