Experiences of maintaining competence

Psychologists and counsellors’ experience of maintaining competence in higher education

Thank you for deciding to participate in our survey regarding your experiences of maintaining competence.

Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. There are no foreseeable risks associated with this research. However, if you feel uncomfortable answering any questions, you can withdraw from the survey at any point. It is very important for us to learn your opinions.

Thank you very much for your time and support. Please start with the survey now by clicking on the Continue button below.

The Health Professions Act no 56 of 1974, Annexure 12 (chapter 1 number 2.1) pertaining to the field of psychology, stipulates: “A psychologist shall develop, maintain and encourage high standards of professional competence to ensure that clients are protected from professional practices that fall short of international and national best practice standards.” Competence can therefore be defined as the acquisition and maintenance of adequate knowledge, skills and abilities throughout one’s career (Bradley, Drapeau & DeStefano, 2012)." 1.What is your understanding of competence from the HPCSA’s definition?

2. From your own experience, how would you define what competency is?

In 1996, the HPCSA established a workgroup to establish a national strategy for managing students and practitioners’ impairment registered with the council. The workgroup highlighted that in order to be competent and perform it was of particular importance to foster ways and means to promote: Self-knowledge and self-awareness in practitioners of danger-signs in themselves; Alertness to the symptoms of such danger-signs in colleagues since early identification can only be accomplished through the vigilance of colleagues; The availability of programmes to assist practitioners in self-management of stress and related problems; Self-knowledge and self-awareness in practitioners of danger-signs in themselves; A willingness to obtain and fully utilise professional and other community resources to alleviate or manage stress in one-self or to assist colleagues in doing so. These recommendations are not currently officially enforced by the HPCSA or included in the Health Professions Act Annexure 12 as standards of practice to prevent impairment and maintain competence. 3. In light of this additional information, what other areas of competence is important in your opinion?

4. From your experience, how would you know if someone is competent as a psychologist or counsellor?

5. What do you do to maintain competency? Describe all activities.

6. What barriers, if any, do you experience toward maintaining your own competence? Describe all barriers.

7. In your opinion, why is it important for you to maintain comptency?

8. How could you improve what you are currently doing to maintain your competence?

9. Moving beyond what you are currently doing, if there were no restrictions, what would be the best approach to enhance your competence?

10. What competency initiatives would you like implemented in your work context?