Training Site Accreditation
chevron_leftBack to PoliciesDownload the application form below. After completing pages 1-3 please send to eac@nzcsrh.org.nz
Scope
Clinical services considered for advanced training in sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
Purpose
To define the required standards for accreditation to provide clinical training in SRH.
Accreditation Process
Services identified as potential training sites for advanced training in SRH must be accredited prior to any trainee starting. Trainees may identify a service as a potential employer for their 2nd and 3rd year training placements, the service providers themselves may wish to be considered, or the New Zealand College of Sexual and Reproductive Health (NZCSRH) may identify the service as a potential training site.
The service must complete the first two parts of the Training Site Accreditation Application Form (pages 1 to 3, Criterions A and B) prior to arranging an accreditation meeting.
This information will be reviewed by the Educational Advisory Committee (EAC) of NZCSRH. If the criteria are met, an accreditation meeting will be arranged. Services which do not meet the criteria based on this initial information will not be accredited until they are able to meet the minimum requirements.
Where possible a site visit will be arranged. NZCSRH will be represented by two members of the EAC or two Fellows who are members of the NZSRHECT Board. They will meet with representatives of the clinical service on site. If this is not possible, then some or all of the meeting participants can meet remotely by phone or videoconference. A Fellow who is not a member of the NZSRHECT Board may be nominated to represent NZCSRH if this facilitates a site visit. In this situation, the other NZCSRH representative must be a member of the EAC.
The purpose of the meeting is to review the capacity of the service to provide a quality SRH training experience. The Training Site Accreditation Application Form is used to guide the assessment of the service against NZCSRH standards for training sites. At the end of the site visit, one representative of the service and NZCSRH both sign the completed form as an acknowledgement of an accurate representation of the service and accreditation meeting.
The nominated training supervisor for each trainee is not required to sign the Training Site Accreditation Application Form. However their name must be included on the form.
The service will be formally notified in writing of the result of the accreditation. If successful, the service will be provided with a list of their responsibilities including to notify NZCSRH of any changes of the service, according to the Training Site Accreditation Policy. Any changes notified by an accredited service will be considered by the EAC with regard to the impact on provision of training and whether accreditation should be withdrawn.
Accreditation Criteria
- Services must be open for at least 2 full days per week to be considered for accreditation as a main training site. Clinical settings open for less than 2 days per week may be considered as outreach clinics, provided that the staff also work in a base clinic which is open for more than 2 days per week. During a trainee’s Year 1 placements in Family Planning and Sexual Health services, a specialist doctor should usually be available for the whole time the trainee is in clinic. Services seeking accreditation for Year 2 and Year 3 placements will be considered with a lower number of specialist hours. However, other clinicians should be available while the trainee is in clinic. Changes in personnel which mean that the trainee is without another clinician’s support in clinic for a period of 2 weeks or more must be notified to the NZCSRH in writing. Changes in specialist doctor availability (other than annual leave) should also be advised to NZCSRH in writing.
- Specific consultation types will be considered in the overall make-up of clinical work. However as the nature of the setting, e.g. Family Planning versus sexual health clinic, will determine the case types, it is the overall case load that is used to determine whether or not there is sufficient training opportunity for a trainee. Typically, a trainee would be expected to see 8 to 15 cases per full day would be expected. The service must notify the NZCSRH in writing if case numbers decrease significantly.
- The trainee’s timetable must include the orientation period, and details on how it will be determined when this is over.
- Essential accreditation criteria include a clinic room for the trainee to see patients, on site on-line internet access to clinical literature including current journals, access to on-line teaching and evidence of quality assurance/auditing.
- Preferred accreditation criteria include access to a library with current specialist literature, participation in undergraduate (medical, nursing or allied health) teaching, access to funding for educational activities, e.g. conferences, access to face-to-face in person teaching in this specialty and participation in quality assurance processes.
Disputes
Any dispute in this regard will be referred to the NZSRHECT Board according to the Complaints Policy.
Policy Owner: Educational Advisory Committee | Date: May 2022 | Review Date May 2025