1. From Association to College
Advancing our Profession

2. Objectives
To provide a summary of how the College concept was initiated.
To explain the role of a College.
To provide an update on the major changes to our Act.
To outline the details of the professional development program.
To discuss the future of the NSAMRT and CAMRT.
To provide an explanation for a dues increase.

3. Where Did It All Start?
The following motion was passed at the Annual General Meeting of the Nova Scotia Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (NSAMRT) in May 2007:
“To form a new Act and Bylaws Committee with the
mandate to open and rewrite the NSAMRT Act & Bylaws.
This committee should stay in place until the mandate
is completed”.

4. AGM 2008
Another motion was passed in regards to the formation of a College. It reads:
“The NSAMRT membership direct The Act
Steering Committee to pursue the formation
of a professional College”.

5. What is a Professional College?
The regulatory body responsible for protecting the public by ensuring that members practice safely, competently and ethically.
Professions such as medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy,
engineering, and law are also self-regulating with their
respective regulatory bodies.

6. Functions of a College
Sets standards for the educational preparation and qualifications required to enter a profession.
Establishes and maintains the standards of practice.
Issues licenses to qualified applicants.
Investigates all complaints related to practice and
takes appropriate disciplinary action when there
is evidence of misconduct, incompetence,
incapacity or conduct unbecoming the profession.

7. Professional Colleges Within NS
Physiotherapists
Nurses
Medical Laboratory Technologists
Paramedics
Respiratory Therapists

8. Why Do We Need a College? Recognition of our profession
Protection of our profession
NSAMRT Act is outdated
MRI is not included in the existing Act
25 Bed Rule

9. What is the 25 Bed Rule?
“Persons employed in a hospital with less than 25 beds, or in a hospital where, in the opinion of the Nova Scotia Health Services and Insurance Commission, the nature and amount of medical radiation technology performed is such as not to warrant having a medical radiation technologist on staff”.

10. Aims of our College To serve and protect the public interest.
To preserve the integrity of the profession.
To maintain public confidence in the ability of the
profession to regulate itself.

11. Highlights of the New Act
Governance:
Act approved by Government
Regulations approved by Cabinet - easier to amend
By-laws approved by Members (previously approved by Cabinet)
2. Name Change - College of Medical Radiation Technologists of NS.
3. Purpose - Former purpose focused on the members, College will focus on
public interest.
4. Scopes of Practice - specific for each discipline - Old Act did not include MRI.
5. Composition of the Board - must have public representatives.

12. Highlights - continued
Registration - must recognize international applicants, Agreement on Internal
Trade, Fair Registration Practices Act.
7. Complaints and Discipline Process - public representation on both committees.
8. Protection of Titles - only those that hold a license can use the title.
Grandparenting - permits current Association members to become College
members.
Illegal Practice - utilizes the Summary Proceedings Act - detailed system of fines,
daily fine for each day a non-member violates the Act.

13. Professional Development Program
Mandatory program which consists of 4 sections:
Work-Based Learning
Professional Activities
Self-Directed Learning
Non-Clinical Activities
Members must obtain 20 credits annually from any 3 of the 4 sections noted above.

14. Work-Based Learning Rounds/Reporting - 1 hour = 1 credit
Lunch and Learn Sessions - 1 hour = 1 credit
In-service Training - 1 hour = 1 credit
Preceptorship - 35 hours = 2 credits (maximum 5 credits)
Hospital Committee = 2 credits (must be related to profession)
Workplace Safety Refresher Program = 1 credit

15. Professional Activities
Involvement in professional body:
Board Member = 5 credits
Committee Chair = 3 credits
Committee Member = 2 credits
Lecturer/Conference speaker = 5 credits
Organizing a lecture/workshop/lunch and learn = 2 credits
Organizing a journal club = 2 credits
Organizing a department open house = 2 credits
Promoting the profession to other groups - 1 hour = 1 credit
Attend a college meeting = 2 credits

16. Self-Directed Learning
Further education = 10 credits (needs further discussion)
(i.e. CAMRT course, university course, etc)
Attending conferences/seminars - 1 hour = 1 credit
Writing articles or papers for publication = 10 credits
Distance learning - 1 hour = 1 credit
Journal article - 1 article = 1 credit
Journal club attendance = 1 credit

17. Non-Clinical Activities
Attend lecture - 1 hour = 1 credit
Journal Article - 1 hour = 1 credit
Includes such lectures/articles on Health Promotion, Patient Rights,
Risk Management & Promoting Team Work.

18. Additional Information
A member must work a minimum of 1000 hours in 5 years in order to be granted a license to practice in their specified discipline.
Temporary license for new grads.
Credits not used in one year can be carried over to the next year.
Grace period for Professional Development program - 1 year.
Request from NSSDMS.

19. NSAMRT/CAMRT Will the role of the NSAMRT still exist?
What will happen with our relationship with the CAMRT?
Alberta and Saskatchewan operate a joint Association and
College.
All provinces use the CAMRT Certification exam as the
gold standard as the entry-to-practice exam.

20. CAMRT Benefits of belonging to CAMRT include:
Professional Liability Insurance
Professional Development Courses
Professional Journal
National Newsletter
Annual Conference
Excellent Networking Opportunities

21. The annual College dues will be in the range of $400.00 - $450.00.
Membership Dues
3 Key Considerations:
1. College Operational Fees
2. Legal Reserve Fund
3. Association Activities
The annual College dues will be in the range of $ $

22. Tentative Timelines January 2010 - Special meeting of NSAMRT members
Spring Act/Regulations introduced in legislature
- 3 readings
- stakeholder input
- legislative approval
Summer Application process
January College of Medical Radiation Technologists of
Nova Scotia enacted
January New dues structure starts
January First audit of CPD Program (5%)

23. Questions??