How do we know the scope of practice that is endorsed for our clinicians? An electronic credentialing register for Allied Health clinicians
Lauren Growse1, Annie Pearce11Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Abstract
Background: Credentialing and defining scope of practice aims to protect the public by ensuring clinicians are educated, competent and authorised to carry out their role, with the appropriate level of support. Allied Health includes professionals and assistants from Ahpra registered and self-regulated professions. Ensuring stakeholders have visibility of a clinician’s endorsed scope of practice is challenging within a large public health network.
Aim: To provide a reliable mechanism to ensure that an individual’s endorsed scope of practice is visible to internal stakeholders and clinicians.
Method: An electronic credentialing register was introduced, replacing previous scope of practice recording methods. The system was adapted to support current credentialing processes including how standard scope and variations to individual scope are reviewed, endorsed and made visible on the register.
Results: There are currently more than 1600 Allied Health clinicians, over 22 professional groups with their individually endorsed scope of practice visible on the register. This can be filtered by profession or skill and includes any conditions on scope of practice. Internal stakeholders can use the visible register to view and provide evidence of an endorsed scope of practice. Information contained on the register has been accessed by clinicians, supervisors, team leaders, managers and professional leads.
Conclusion: Many stakeholders may benefit from the visible e-credentialing register. It is a tool to promote transparency of standard and expanded scope of practice for individual clinicians.
Limitations: There is an ongoing administration investment to ensure the register remains accurate. Formal evaluation would enhance our understanding of the benefits.
Biography
Lauren Growse is the Professional Practice Officer in the Allied Health Workforce, Innovation, Strategy, Education and Research Unit at Monash Health. Her current role includes day to day management of the Allied Health e-credentialing system and supporting the Chief Allied Health Officer in all things professional governance. Lauren is an Occupational Therapist, with over 15 years’ experience in the public health sector, having worked in a range of roles including as a senior clinician and operational manager. In addition, she also works casually as a teaching assistant in the university sector.