How the Council Functions

Committees

The Council runs a number of sub-committees responsible for managing the different aspects of our role.

The committees are:

Education

Responsible for assessing applications from practitioners who have gained their qualifications from New Zealand institutions and from approved overseas institutions. Applications are assessed against a Council-approved benchmark standard for acceptable qualifications. This committee is also responsible for the Osteopathic Council entry examination.

Has delegated authority to:

• consider and approve applications for registration in a scope of practice under s.17 (3) (b) of the HPCA Act
• consider and approve changes to scopes of practice
• review the Registrar's decisions regarding the registration of a health practitioner
• review the Registrar's decisions to decline an application for an annual practising certificate

Registration Assessment and Examination

Responsible for assessing registration applications against a Council-approved benchmark standard for acceptable qualifications.  The Committee is also responsible for the Council's entry examination.

Has delegated authority to:

• consider and approve applications for registration in a scope of practice under s.17(3)(b) of the HPCA Act
• consider and approve changes to scopes of practice
• review the Registrar's decisions regarding the registration of a health practitioner
• review the Registrar's decisions to decline an application for an annual practising certificate.

Competency

Responsible for: - ensuring competency of registered practitioners - set competence/recertification programme criteria - set criteria for approval of CPD training - review the competence of practitioners, including CPD audit.

Accreditation

Responsible for accreditation of osteopathic sources run by accredited institutions ensuring appropriate clinical, cultural and ethical content.

Finance

Responsible for setting draft budgets for Council approval and for monitoring Council expenditure; recommending fee schedules and meeting expenses for consideration and approval by Council.

Professional Conduct and Ethics

Committee members are co-opted to investigate complaints made against practitioners. They must be familiar with the legislative framework for their work and the processes for dealing with complaints and follow the Council’s guidelines for PCC committees.

Legislation

Responsible for ensuring that the Council complies with all relevant legislative requirements for making submissions on draft legislation.

Western Medical Acupuncture Standing Committee

The committee is responsible for: Approving courses for continuing professional development Advising Council on matters pertaining to the Western Medical Acupuncture scope of practice. Members of the Committee, must have a qualification in acupuncture.

Management Team

This committee is responsible for dealing with operational matters between Council meetings. This includes the following:

• Finance - Setting the budget, monitoring spending etc.
• Management of the Registrar
• Committees – Receiving, and following up on monthly reports from Committee Chairs.
• General -
  • monitoring correspondence
  • providing policy advice
  • setting Council meeting agendas
  • dealing with matters to do with HRAS
  • dealing with urgent matters/legal issues where a prompt response is required.