In the third of our Here to Help series of articles, Jocelyn Pryce, IBMS Head of Registration, discusses the evolving role of CPD Officers.
The recent introduction of an electronic method of recording CPD here at the IBMS has meant that the responsibilities of the previous role of CPD Officer should be reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate and meet the needs of our members.
At the end of 2016, a consultation was carried out to gauge the opinion of CPD Officers currently on our database. A large number of active and valued CPD Officers were contacted and asked to comment on the proposed responsibilities, with the changes driven largely by need created by the new scheme. These changes, many of which were minor, were very well received by the CPD Officer community, and the responses were wholly supportive of the work being undertaken by the IBMS in this respect.
What’s in a name?
In addition to commenting on the proposed responsibilities, CPD Officers were also asked whether they had any preferences with respect to their title. Suggestions, in response to the slight change in emphasis of the role, included CPD Ambassador and CPD Champion. The responses to this part of the consultation generated a lively debate – one suggestion was CPD Wizards! – and, in the true sense of democracy, a count of the votes showed a very close-run contest.
A small majority preferred the title to remain as CPD Officer, closely followed by Ambassador, then Champion. The proposed responsibilities and title were put before the Educational and Professional Standards Committee at their meeting in January and accepted.
Going forward, CPD Officers continue to be expected to provide advice and guidance, disseminating the latest information to their colleagues and members of the CPD scheme on, for example, using the CPD e-portfolio. Acting as a local source and co-ordinator of CPD-related information and activities, plus liaising with the CPD team here at the IBMS when required, continues to be a component of their role. As part of the recent initiative to consider training and development more holistically, their CPD skills will be invaluable in supporting Training Officers and the training teams to encourage the practice of reflective learning.
Reflective learning
We recognise that CPD and reflective learning is a very personal thing, and the change to e-portfolios now enables the IBMS to offer a higher level of guidance and advice to direct future learning and enrich development, rather than being a repository that generates certificates for a points-based system.
The CPD team may have been viewed in the past as “policing” the CPD submissions, but our aim is to have a scheme that supports reflective learning and encourages further development. Our CPD Officers are an important part of helping us to create a sustainable process that is fit for purpose and driven by the needs of our members.
We would like to thank all those who took part in the consultation process for their very valuable input, and we look forward to building stronger, supportive relationships across the various groups with which we work and to whom we provide a service.