NCHD Support Scheme
There is a support scheme specifically for NCHDs that are not enrolled on a recognised postgraduate training programme called the Continuous Professional Development-Support Scheme (CPD-SS). The programme aims to help you enhance your clinical knowledge and skills and to fulfil some of your Professional Competence Scheme requirements in line with Medical Council. Enrolment is free of charge.
The CPD-SS is a programme specifically designed for NCHDs who are not enrolled on a recognised post-graduate training programme. Doctors enrolled on the CDP-SS are entitled to attend training events and activities organised and approved by the College at no cost to themselves. The aim of the programme is to support NCHDs to meet their requirements under the Professional Competence Scheme.
All doctors on the Supervised, General or Specialist Division of the Register held by the Irish Medical Council are required by law to be enrolled with a Professional Competence Scheme. The PCS has a requirement of a minimum of 20 external credits per year. The CPD-SS is specifically designed to assist doctors in meeting these external credit requirements. There is no legal requirement to be enrolled with the CPD-SS.
The HSE makes available an allocation of 20 CPD points for each doctor who registers with the programme. The CPD points can be used to attend several College events throughout the year at no cost to the doctor. The College organises these events specifically with NCHDs in mind and as such they are designed to meet your training needs. It enables doctors to meet their legal obligations under the Professional Competence Scheme while also minimising associated costs.
Application for CPD SS for the 2022/2023 year are now closed and will reopen in July 2023, and again in December 2023 for the 2023/2024 year. Applications are submitted through the CAI Kaizen ePortfolio https://kaizenep.com/#/login. The submitted application must include the following information
- Your full name and date of birth
- Your CAI College ID
- Your Medical Council Registration Number
- Your current work location and job title
Once logged into your Kaizen ePortfolio select the option to create a new event. Under the uncategorised heading, select the option to apply for CPD SS.
To be eligible to enrol you must meet all 5 of the below criteria:
- You must be enrolled with the College for PCS
- You must hold the NCHD Contract 2010
- You must work within the public health service
- You must not be enrolled on either an Intern training scheme or a Specialist training scheme
- You must be registered on either the Supervised or General Division of the Register as held by the Irish Medical Council
We offer a wide variety of courses throughout the year, details of which are available on CPD Events Calendar. Examples include:
- Irish Congress of Anaesthesia
- Advanced Airways Management
- Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care
- Advanced Vascular Access
Yes. Registration is not automatic and there is a separate application process. You must however be registered with the College for PCS first before you can apply for CPD-SS.
There are no fees payable for the CPD-SS. You must however have paid your annual Professional Competence Scheme fee in order to register. Find out how to enrol.
We have an information document below for download, prepared by the HSE which includes an overview of the programme and FAQs. If you have any further queries please contact Professional Competence, at the College on 01-2650600 or via email at professionalcompetence@coa.ie
For more information, please contact Professional Competence, at the College on 01-2650600 or via email at professionalcompetence@coa.ie
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