Professional: Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Guidance and Recording Sheets for APT staff

What is CPD?
A definition of CPD taken from the Health Professions Council (HPC) Continuing Professional Development Consultation (CPDCON/EP September 2004) is:

“A range of learning activities through which professionals maintain and develop throughout their career to ensure that they retain their capacity to practice safely, effectively and legally within their evolving scope of practice”

The Association encourages APT staff to maintain, improve and extend their knowledge, skills and practice. In the future, CPD will also be linked to professional registration with the Health Professions Council and the Association – see the “future regulation” domain for further information.

A CPD portfolio might well be available locally, but the Council of the AAPT (UK) believe that, as the professional association for APT staff, CPD guidance materials should be available for members from the website.

How does participating in CPD benefit the individual?

• broadens the knowledge base and acquisition of new skills
• increases job satisfaction by promotion of professional ideas and new initiatives
• enhances of curriculum vitae
• provides a benchmark for performance appraisal
• provides evidence for future HPC requirements
• encourages reflective practice

Of equal importance are the ‘hidden’ benefits that give professional enrichment and ownership. In an increasingly regulated culture, CPD gives individuals the chance to direct their career progression by reflecting on and shaping their learning and development.

When recruiting staff, one of the selection criteria new employers adopt is that the candidate displays an active involvement in CPD. An up-to-date portfolio is an excellent way for a prospective candidate to demonstrate this.

How does participating in the CPD benefit employers?

Staff who are able to shape their own learning and professional development can bring new skills and ideas into the workplace and improve the overall morale of staff.

Participating in the CPD scheme can benefit employers by:

• maintaining the confidence of an up-to-date professional and competent workforce
• attracting confidence of service users
• aiding staff recruitment and retention
• meeting Clinical Pathology Accreditation CPA (UK) Ltd requirements
• providing evidence of standards attained by employees
• enabling greater teamwork
• helping to ensure that investments in the training of staff are well targeted

How does participating in professional development help and benefit the public?

By adopting a lifelong learning approach, APT staff can be assured that their knowledge and skills are kept up to date with new thinking and with new techniques. This will in turn inspire confidence in the service that the profession delivers.

AAPT (UK) members can download the Association CPD Guidance and Recording Sheets in the members section of the website. If you have not already joined the Association, please contact mail@aaptuk.org or visit the join page for further information.

CPD Binder

Application Form for CPD credits
As part of it's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme, the AAPT is happy to award CPD credits for suitable lectures, training courses and other meetings. A form is now downloadable for event organisers to complete and return with a programme. Upon successful allocation of CPD credits, AAPT members in attendance at a credited activity can be awarded a certificate as CPD evidence. Download form

CPD articles
Christian Burt reports from a meeting held in January on the development of the AAPT's Continuing Professional Development Scheme.
Click for article and presentations