Maintain competence

Recertification programmes for Medical Laboratory Scientists

The Board has approved three recertification programmes for medical laboratory scientists under section 41 of the HPCA Act. It is a Board requirement that, to hold an Annual Practising Certificate, a medical laboratory scientist must enrol and participate in an approved recertification programme unless exempted by the Board.

The approved programmes are:

• the CPD programme (Continuing Professional Development programme) offered by the NZ Institute of Medical Laboratory Science
• the APACE programme (Australian Professional Acknowledgement Continuing Education) of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists
• the CPD programme for Medical Laboratory Scientists and Scientific Officers administered by NZ Hospital Scientific Officers Association

Information on enrolment in these programmes is available from:

• NZIMLS, at www.nzimls.org.nz or via cpd@nzimls.org.nz.
• AIMS, at apace@aims.org.au
• NZHSOA via the NZHSOA Secretary.

Professional Development for Medical Laboratory Technicians and Phlebotomists

The Board has set a recertification programme for medical laboratory technicians, including phlebotomists, to commence in 2008.

To renew their practising certificate in 2009, MLTs (including phlebotomists) will need to fulfil two requirements for recertification:

• supervisor certification (as at present)
• 8 hours of professional development in 2008

A professional development form with a list of approved professional development (PD) activities is available here (link to attachment).  This form will be posted to all practising  MLTs with their APC renewal notice in February 2008.  Records of PD activity must be kept and, if audited by the Board, must be supplied in the format shown on the form.