NS Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Registration Campaign

In Nova Scotia, we have a provincial registry of AEDs. The registry’s goal is to help improve cardiac arrest survival rates by rapidly linking bystanders/first responders to the closest AEDs to help individuals experiencing cardiac arrest. The registry works with members of the public to help register publicly accessible and private AEDs to grow a database that will notify volunteer responders the location of the nearest AED in an emergency. There are other features as well and you can learn more about the registry at: About – EHS AED Registry Program (savelivesns.ca)

Download the NS AED Registration Blitz Campaign letter

Interim Competency Evaluation Application

The Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists has developed an Interim Competency Evaluation process that will be utilized whenever a national clinical evaluation is unavailable for a period of 12 months or more. Application resources for the Interim Competency Evaluation process are listed below.  Click on the links to download. 

When, applying please complete all forms in the electronic format provided and submit completed applications via email with supporting documents to info@nsphysio.com. Only complete applications including all documents and complete application form will be accepted.

Sponsors and Employers/Managers must send their reports/letters directly to info@nsphysio.com.

Sponsor portal and member portal are not monitored for uploaded documents. Please email info@nsphysio.com to inform NSCP if any documents have been uploaded via the portal.

Please complete all forms in the electronic format provided and submit completed applications via email with supporting documents to info@nsphysio.com.  Sponsors and Employers/Managers should send their reports/letters independently to the Registrar and include the name of the PT Resident applying. 

Resource  Description
For Applicants
References 
Application Guide Detailed instructions for applicants (PDF)
Paying Fees Fee schedule is available here.  Contact info@nsphysio.com for details on paying the fee. 
Forms
Application Form Application form in MSExcel.  
Competency Self Assessment  Self assessment practice review activity focused on the Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada
Self Reflection - Learning Needs Self-reflection assessment on process for identifying learning needs (MSWord)
Self Reflection - Patient Care Self-reflection on patient care experience to submit with chart notes (personal identifiers redacted) (MSWord)
Self Reflection - Professional Self-reflection on professional behaviours (MS Word)
For Sponsors 
Clinical Practice Report Guidelines   Guidelies for completing clinical practice reports
Final Sponsor Report 3-part report including Sponsor Questionairre, Feedback Form and Professional Behaviour Rubric (MSWord)
Chart Audit Tool  Checklist for chart audits
For Employers/Managers 
Directions for letter of support A support letter from the Manager (or Employer if there is no manager) in each of the applicant's practice sites must be provided.  The letter should include a statement regarding potential or realized professional or practice issues along with explanation and resolution.    

FAQ

I sponsored a resident in the past year but I'm not currently their sponsor. Do they need me to complete the final sponsor report or is it just their current sponsor that completes that form?

In most cases the final report will only be required from the most recent sponsor, since the committee is most interested in current competency. There may be situations where multiple sponsors will need to complete the final report to ensure the committee has the right information to make their decision. If an applicant is unsure they can contact Joan Ross, Registrar at registrar@nsphysio.com to confirm.

I work for NSH; what is the process for releasing the required chart notes to the committee?

NSH Privacy staff are aware of the Interim Competency Evaluation requirements. Applicants that are employed by NSH will need to email chart requests to Privacy@nshealth.ca with the following information:
  • Requesting Physiotherapy Resident's information:
    • Name
    • NSCP License number
  • Patient's information:
    • First and Last name
    • Health Card Number or Date of Birth (or both is great)
    • Location or Hospital Site where the visit happened
    • Date(s) of assessment, or date range.
    • Include details of records required (initial assessment to discharge and all relevant physiotherapy progress notes/supporting documents).
NSH Privacy office will redact the patient identifiers once they receive the records and will then provide them to the NSCP Registrar.

The estimated turnaround time for the request is approximately 3 weeks depending on workload.

How long will it take to receive a decision on my application through ICE?

The timelines in the ICE policy have been updated to ensure the committee is not impeded in its public protection/interest mandate and to allow for applicants to have realistic expectations of the length of time from submission to response. The policy no longer refers to a 20-business day response time from the time of receiving applications. This arbitrary timeline does not reflect the reality of the process nor the current situation in relation to the number of eligible applicants and anticipated applications. The Committee will move the applications forward as expediently as possible. Timelines for processing applications will be monitored and once reasonable estimates are available, they will be published. This will allow applicants to have realistic expectations of the length of time from submission to response.

Why is a letter from the manager/employer required? Does the Resident see that letter?

The letter of support is intended to provide opportunity for the manager/employer to report on whether or not there were any practice or behaviour issues that may have been reported and/or dealt with internally. The letter is sent directly to teh Registrar to be shared with teh Committee and the Resident does not see it.

Does a Sponsor have to complete and submit practice review forms after submitting the final evaluation report?

Until the committee has made a decision the applicant is still a resident. After submitting the final report the sponsor may pause on the reporting but must continue the sponsor/resident relationship until the committee has communicated a decision on the application.

Once I reach the 1200 hours can I take a break until the 6 months are up?

Practice is meant to be continuous work over a 6 month period to consolidate knowledge and skills. We say "6 month minimum" to acknowledge that there may be a break, such as a medical or parental leave, that may impact meeting all the criteria and that in certain circumstances the 6 month requirement may take longer to fulfil.

Has the eligibility criteria changed? I thought residency was for 12 months? Why change to 6 months?

In February 2023 the 12 month time requirement was decreased to 6 months. This was done based on a review of the applications submitted up to that point. After 6 months there was very little change in sponsor reports, with all observable competencies being noted as met within 6 months.

CAPR Discontinues PCE Clinical Component

The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) announced the discontinuation of the clinical component of its Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE).  They will continue administering their written competency exam and the credentialling program and will begin a major effort to review and re-conceptualize evaluation services for entry-to-practice physiotherapy in Canada..  

This announcement has no immediate impact on the Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists’ interim competency process.  As the interim process is implemented, evaluated and updated the implications of this announcement will be taken into consideration. 

NSCP will continue to communicate updates regarding the competency process. 

Seeking Volunteers for Interim Competency Process

The Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists (NSCP) is seeking volunteers for our Credentials Committee.  The Credentials Committee considers applications for registration and licensure as a Physiotherapist in Nova Scotia. 

Postponements and cancellation of the National Physiotherapy Competency Exam due to the COVID-19 pandemic have caused significant ambiguity for Nova Scotia Resident Physiotherapists on their next steps to fully entering the profession.  

The NSCP has adopted an interim policy to provide an alternative credentialing process to be in effect while the PCE clinical component is not available.   This interim process will be conducted by the credentials committee (Download Terms of Reference). 

Who can volunteer?

There are 3 required roles on the Credentials Committee (Follow the links for more details on what we are looking for with each role):

For those considering applying please note that applications will be accepted until Feb 7th, 2022. 

Please also note that for those that may not fit the 3 defined categories (Public, Current/Former Board Member, Current/Former Sponsor) there is space for you on the committee and your applications are welcome.  Please submit use the application form and include a copy of your CV with your application.

Interim Competency Evaluation Process update - Dec 3, 2021

Posted Dec 3, 2021

NSCP has committed to providing an alternative credentialing process to be in effect while the PCE clinical component is not available.  The target was to have an interim policy approved in early November with more details on timelines provided in late November.  Your patience is appreciated as we worked through the policy development and planning for implementation of the interim process.  The policy development phase was extended to review the policy in context with emerging information from other jurisdictions, but has now been completed.

The approved Interim Competency Evaluation Policy is now available for download here.  The policy describes the overall process and requirements.  There are still resources to develop and they will be made available when completed.

Following is a summary of high level key activities and tentative target timelines.  Timelines will be adjusted as required and communicated when changes (increased specificity on anticipated dates, delays or early completion of milestones) are indentified.  

Activity  Target Completion Date 
Recruit/Appoint Credential Committee Jan/Feb 2022
Create/Compile Resources (for Applicants, Sponsors, and Committee Members)  Jan/Feb 2022
Create Training for Committee members  Feb 2022
Deliver CommitteeTraining  Feb/March 2022
Committee Begins Reviewing Applications  March 2022

Credentials Committee 

The Credentials Committee will be comprised of a minimum of 3 members, as follows:

  • 1 public member;

  • 1 registered Physiotherapist that meets the criteria as a sponsor. Sponsors will not review applications for their own residents (current or past); and

  • 1 Physiotherapist who is a former or current member of the Board.

The intent is to recruit enough members to have 2 committees operating concurrently to minimize delays once applications are received. 

If you would like further information on the appointment process when it is available email office@nsphysio.com expressing which role you are interested in.

In the interest of allowing staff to focus on the implementation individual requests for further information/questions related to the process will be accepted and incorporated into future communications, however, we will not be able to respond on an individual basis.

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