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Greetings!
Welcome to the February 2014 edition of @CKO.
A new year is a time of opportunity, change and growth. We all look back on the year just finished and feel proud of what has been accomplished. We also feel renewed commitment and ready to take on new challenges, and improve upon our previous work. There is much to be excited about in 2014 as we continue to build a college committed to protecting the public and enhancing excellence in kinesiology. We recently called on kinesiologists and our academic stakeholders to participate in the development of performance indicators that expand upon the Kinesiologist Core Competency Profile by describing what each competency looks like in practice. This is an exciting project which will help kinesiologists in assessing their practice and entry-level applicants in preparing for the entry-to-practice examination. Current members are now working on their self-assessments and developing their learning plans for 2014-15. We have begun work on developing a framework for peer and practice assessments, the second phase of our Quality Assurance Program and a mandatory requirement of all health regulatory colleges. March will see the submission of our first report to the Office of the Fairness Commissioner of Ontario (OFC) on our registration practices. We are committed to working with the OFC to ensure that our registration processes are transparent, objective, impartial and fair. Registration continues in earnest and applicants for the April examination are finalizing their applications. We published a new Examination Guide with an expanded practice test in January. In the summer, registration renewal will begin. Renewal requires members to respond to a number of questions about their practice. These questions are required by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care on an aggregate basis for the Health Professions Database. More information will be provided to you in the coming months. Also coming this summer, will issue a call for nominations for election to Council in Districts 2, 3 and 4. Our success depends on the ongoing involvement of our members, and I encourage kinesiologists to get involved in the work of their college. Check our website and future editions of @CKO in the coming months for more information on the nomination process. Finally, we will continue working to ensure that you receive important information in a timely manner. Remember that @CKO is delivered to your inbox bi-monthly and that our website contains valuable information on all of the College's program areas. Let us know how we're doing. Email your comments, feedback and suggestions to info@collegeofkinesiologists.on.ca. I wish you the very best this coming year. Brenda Kritzer, |
| Self-assessments due by March 1 | | |
There are only three weeks left to complete this year's self-assessment! This is a reminder that all active members must complete and submit their self-assessments by March 1. To access the Self-Assessment Portal, click here.
The self-assessment, accessed through the Portal, helps members reflect on their practice by answering a series of questions related to the core competencies and practice standards of kinesiology. Members must then create three learning goals for the year ahead. Through annual participation in continuing professional development, members enhance their knowledge and skills while continuing the development of the profession. Professional development helps to ensure protection of the public and is a legal requirement of all regulated health professionals in Ontario. Learning is self-directed and members are not required to report hours or credits.
If you have questions about the self-assessment, please contact Lara Thacker, Director, Quality Assurance at lara.thacker@collegeofkinesiologists.on.ca or at 416 862 4792.
Missed our webinar series, Completing your Self-Assessment? Click here to view a recording.
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| New study guide posted and April exam updates | | |
The College is pleased to announce that the new Examination Guide and Practice Test is now available on the College website. This is a valuable study resource for candidates preparing to write the entry-to-practice examination.
The revised Examination Guide and Practice Test were developed as a result of feedback received from candidates who wrote the 2013 examinations. Throughout the fall, subject matter experts and the College's examination administrator worked to develop a new guide in English and French. The new practice test includes 102 multiple-choice questions, an answer key, rationale and references for each question. Candidates will also find the competencies and taxonomy levels to which each question relates. The Examination Guide includes strategies on how to answer questions to maximize candidates' performance on the examination.
The College would like to thank the subject matter experts for their assistance and expertise in developing the Examination Guide and Practice Test. Their hard work resulted in the development of this resource well in advance of the spring 2014 examination. To access the Examination Guide and Practice Test, click here.
Writing the exam in April?
Registration for the April 12, 2014 examination sitting is complete. The College would like to remind those applicants who were informed of their eligibility to sit the examination that the registration form and examination fee are due by Wednesday, February 26.
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| A complaint was made against me. What happens? | |
Imagine that you receive a letter from the College informing you that a complaint has been made about you or your practice. Receiving a notice of a complaint may make you feel angry, sad, confused or even shocked, especially if you feel that you treated this patient/client well or if you do not recall your interaction with this particular patient/client. When you receive a notice of complaint, it is important to remember the following to ease your emotions and your reaction:
- Receiving a complaint does not mean that you are a bad person or a bad practitioner
- The College must address all complaints from the public even if you feel that the complaint is unfounded or not serious
- When it provides you with the notice of complaint, the College is fulfilling its legislative requirement to inform you; it is not making a judgment on you as a practitioner or on the merits of the complaint
- It is the right of any patient/client to make a complaint about a member to a College. They do not have to inform you or your employer first
- The person(s) who conducts the investigation on behalf of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) are neutral and objective and gather any relevant information, which is then forwarded to the ICRC for consideration. They are not out to get you
- While you may feel that the complaint is unfounded, you are accountable to the public and to the College as a regulated health professional. The College will inform you of the status of the complaint and must provide you with at least 30 days to respond to it. A member's response is invaluable and it allows the ICRC to render a fair and reasonable decision
- A complaint does not necessarily mean that your certificate of registration will be affected. Only those investigations that the ICRC refers to the Discipline Committee may result in a finding of professional misconduct, or in a term, condition or limitation being imposed on your certificate of registration. The Discipline Committee deals with the most serious of cases, such as allegations of sexual or physical abuse, intentional fraud, extreme and repetitive incompetence, etc.
A complaint should be seen as a learning opportunity. While you may feel that you did nothing wrong, a member who engages in reflection can always look for ways to improve his/her practice and the public's confidence in the kinesiology profession.
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| Meet the College President | | |
Lynn Kabaroff, R.Kin is a sessional professor at both Laurentian University and Cambrian College. As well as serving as President of the College of Kinesiologists, Ms. Kabaroff continues to practise kinesiology and has over 15 years' experience working in exercise therapy and health/fitness training in both out-patient clinics and through her own business.
Why did you want to become involved with the College?
My first involvement with the College was when we were still the transitional Council. Prior to sitting on Council, I was involved with the Examination Committee. In both instances, I saw these opportunities as a great way of giving back to the profession. Previously, I was involved with the Ontario Kinesiology Association as it pursued regulation, so I wanted to see the fruits of that labour. It was also important for me, as an educator, to step up and share my knowledge and expertise to ensure that we created a strong, credible examination to test the knowledge and competencies that are essential in kinesiology graduates. I'm a firm believer in being a part of the change that you want to see, rather than watching from the sidelines. I also love a new challenge and the opportunity for personal growth.
What would you like to focus on in your term?
The term is only a year and with the College in its infancy, there is so much that any council or president would like to tackle. But I would say that my two biggest areas of focus are outreach and collaboration. First, I would like us to focus on reaching out to the public so that they understand that the College is here to protect their interests and to ensure that the qualification standards of registered kinesiologists are understood. Second, I would like to engage with other professional associations who share our goals and our background in kinesiology to ensure that we meet our mandate to protect the public interest. If we focus on these two areas, we can create a strong and viable college.
What is your advice to other members wondering if they should get involved?
I don't think I can say it anymore simply than just do it! This is a great way to challenge yourself and to showcase your experience and your knowledge. It is such a great way to find out about how the College works and how the regulation of kinesiology benefits the public, as well as the types of support and resources that are available to you as a member. The entire experience allows you to appreciate that registration with the College is more than just an annual fee. It's an excellent way to give back, and as I mentioned, you need to be a part of the change that you want to see. Even if things may not always end up the way you originally envisioned, it's important to make sure that your voice is heard. This is even truer for students and new graduates. I tell my own students that they really cannot appreciate how broad the profession is and what opportunities are available until they get involved and build a network. So on that note, remember that we have committees and working groups that are always looking for interested members!
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| Reminder: Register to help revise the Kinesiologist Core Competency Profile | | |
On Monday, February 3, the College invited members and other stakeholders to participate in the revision of the Kinesiologist Core Competency Profile. The goal of this project is to expand the list of competencies within the Profile and to develop performance indicators that illustrate what each competency looks like in practice. The first step in this process is to identify areas in which the Profile should expand and to obtain feedback on required performance indicators. This work will support the revised Profile outline and the competency writing session. The College is seeking volunteers to participate in one of four scheduled webinars to provide feedback and dialog about the required enhancements. To register for a webinar, click here. The final day to register is Wednesday, February 12.
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| R.Kins join WSIB roster of healthcare practitioners | |
The Ontario Kinesiology Association has published a notice announcing that registered kinesiologists are now recognized as healthcare practitioners for the delivery of programs of care and the completion of functional abilities forms with Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
This is a phased integration, beginning with the registration of registered kinesiologists as healthcare practitioners with WSIB. Once registered, R.Kins will be able to complete the Functional Abilities Form for Planning Early and Safe Return to Work. The second phase, expected to be introduced in early 2014, will allow R.Kins to deliver four WSIB programs of care. Once approved to deliver a program of care, R.Kins will be listed on WSIB's Programs of Care Provider Directory.
To register, click here. For more information on this initiative, contact the Ontario Kinesiology Association at info@oka.on.ca or at 905 567 7194.
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| Attend a Council meeting | |
Meetings of the College Council are open to members of the public and members of the College. The next meeting of Council is on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at the College office. To RSVP, contact us. To learn more about the College's Council, click here.
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| Update your information | |
Members are required to notify the College of any changes to their name, contact information or employment information within 30 days of the change. The easiest way to do so is online by
updating your member profile. Visit the Members' Area of the College website and click the Update your Information link in the Quick Links menu.
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| Contact Us | | |
Telephone: 416 874 4096
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