Date of Adoption: July 25, 2003.

     Purpose: The purpose of the continuing competency program is to maintain and enhance the professional competency of services provided by licensed orthotists and prosthetists so that the practitioner remains competent to provide safe and quality care. These rules set forth a continuing competency program for orthotists and prosthetists consisting of credible categories of continuing competency activities, establishing minimum requirements for each category and a three-year reporting cycle.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.200.050(13).

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 03-12-088 on June 4, 2003.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 4, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 4, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: December 1, 2003.

Mary C. Selecky

Secretary

OTS-5009.5

ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS CONTINUING COMPETENCY RULES
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-850-130   Continuing competency scope and purpose.   The purpose of continuing competency requirements is to maintain and enhance the professional competency of services provided by licensed orthotists and prosthetists. A successful continuing competency program focuses on all aspects of the practice to ensure that the practitioner is competent to provide safe and quality care to patients.

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     (2) Each licensed orthotist and prosthetist shall complete a professional enhancement plan describing the goals the licensee will develop to maintain proficiency in their practice. A professional enhancement plan must be completed in the first year of each three-year reporting period on forms provided by the secretary. The plan may focus on one specific area of practice or broader areas as determined by the individual's goals.

     (3) All licensed orthotists and prosthetists must accumulate continuing competency hours as follows:

     (a) Licensed orthotists must accumulate a minimum of forty-five continuing competency hours every three years in the area of orthotics.

     (b) Licensed prosthetists must accumulate a minimum of forty-five continuing competency hours every three years in the area of prosthetics.

     (c) Individuals who are licensed as both an orthotist and as a prosthetist must accumulate a minimum of sixty continuing competency hours every three years.

     (4) For individuals licensed in one discipline, a maximum of eighteen Category 2 continuing competency hours may be earned in any three-year reporting period.

     (5) For individuals licensed in both disciplines, a maximum of twenty-four Category 2 continuing competency hours may be earned in any three-year reporting period.

     (6) Refer to chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7 for additional requirements.

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     (1) Category 1. Courses offered or approved by the following organizations are presumed to qualify as Category 1 continuing competency activities. Category 1 activities receive one continuing competency credit hour for every fifty minutes spent in a course or other activity. Licensees must maintain documentation of attendance at courses. Acceptable documentation includes certificates or receipts with an authorized signature, stamp or seal.

     (a) American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.

     (b) Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification.

     (c) American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

     (d) American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association.

     (e) International Association of Orthotics and Prosthetics.

     (f) International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics.

     (g) Association of American Children's Orthotics and Prosthetics Clinics.

     (h) Canadian Orthotic and Prosthetic Association.

     (i) Any school or college of orthotics or prosthetics whose standards are deemed sufficient by the secretary under RCW 18.200.050(5).

     (j) Relevant school or college courses from an institution accredited by a recognized regional accrediting body.

     (k) Relevant courses or seminars offered by organizations or associations such as the American Society of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Medical Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Podiatric Medical Association.

     (l) Manufacturer courses approved/sponsored by organizations listed in subsections (1)(a) through (k) of this section.

     (2) Category 2. Category 2 continuing competency activities are primarily independent and/or unsupervised and consistent with the goals specified in the individual licensee's professional enhancement plan. Licensees must maintain documentation of completion of Category 2 activities. The following activities, and designated continuing competency credit hours, are considered Category 2 continuing competency:

     (a) Relevant allied health seminars not identified as Category 1 activities. A credit hour is fifty minutes spent in a course or other activity. A maximum of five continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation includes certificates or receipts with an authorized signature, stamp or seal.

     (b) Practice management. For the purpose of this section, practice management includes only those activities which are directly related to patient care. A credit hour is fifty minutes spent in this activity. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation includes verification of completion of a course or seminar, or a written certification by the licensee describing the activity, the total time required to complete the activity and the date completed.

     (c) Journal reading, including electronic publications that are consistent with the goals specified in the individual licensee's professional enhancement plan.

     (i) Scientific journals with required examination: Each examination qualifies for two continuing competency credit hours. A maximum of six continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a certificate issued by the sponsoring organization or author showing successful completion of the examination.

     (ii) Scientific journals not requiring an examination: Each report qualifies for one continuing competency credit hour. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation for each article is a written report identifying the publication source, author, publication date, and a summary of at least five points from the article.

     (iii) Business journals: Each report qualifies for one continuing competency credit hour. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation for each article, is a written report identifying the publication source, author, publication date, and a summary of at least five points from the article.

     (d) Instruction video, videodisc or internet courses: A credit hour is fifty minutes spent in this activity. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a written report identifying the source of the instruction, the release date, and summarizing at least five points presented in the instruction.

     (e) Manufacturer courses sponsored by organizations not identified as Category 1 activities: A credit hour is fifty minutes spent in this activity. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation includes certificates or receipts with an authorized signature, stamp or seal.

     (f) Participating in peer review: For the purpose of this section, peer review means either serving on a formal peer review panel, committee or individual review of a sole provider, where the purpose of the review is to determine whether appropriate treatment was rendered, or whether the services rendered were within accepted standards. Each occurrence qualifies for three credit hours. A maximum of nine continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a certification signed by the facilitator of the peer review providing the date and the total time spent in the peer review process.

     (g) Mentoring:

     (i) Student mentoring. Each four-hour period spent in this activity qualifies for one credit hour. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a copy of the mentoring contract or agreement and a certification from the student substantiating the date(s) engaged in mentoring and the total mentoring time.

     (ii) Peer mentoring. Each four-hour period spent in this activity qualifies for one credit hour. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a certification summarizing the subject of the mentoring, the date, and total mentoring time and signed by the licensee and at least one other practitioner participating in the mentoring activity.

     (h) Documented group study: A credit hour is fifty minutes spent in this activity. A maximum of six continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a summary of the group study topics, the date, and total group study time, signed by the facilitator or other authorized personnel.

     (i) Grand rounds: Each report qualifies for one credit hour. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a report summarizing the cases presented, the location, date, and total time spent in the grand rounds activity and signed by the facilitator or other authorized personnel.

     (j) Presentation or lecture to professional group: Each presentation or lecture qualifies for two credit hours. A maximum of six continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Credit for subsequent presentations will only be considered if the licensee can demonstrate that substantial additional preparation was required. Acceptable documentation is a course outline and a certification from the licensee providing the location, date and total presentation time.

     (k) Other activities that enhance or expand the practice may be submitted to the secretary for consideration.

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