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New to Professional Competence Scheme?

Welcome to the RCSI Professional Competence Scheme.   The Professional Competence year runs between 1 May and 30 April every year. 

 


Welcome to the RCSI Professional Competence Scheme.   The Professional Competence year runs between 1 May and 30 April every year. 

 

The Medical Council has changed Professional Competence requirements for the 2021 - 2022 year and these are outlined in article below.    We would encourage you to record your CPD activity and audit claims regularly on your portfolio and we have outlined below ways of recording your CPD credits which we hope will make it easier for you.

 

Professional Competence requires year on year compliance.  For any extended leave, for example, for maternity, illness you must inform your training body and details on how to do this are also outlined below.

 

If you experience any difficulties meeting your Scheme requirements, or need assistance with recording your CPD activity on the ePortfolio, please do not hesitate to contact up via email pcs@rcsi.ie 

 
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What are my PCS Requirements 2021 - 2022?

The PCS requirements for the year 1 May 2021–30 April 2022 are adjusted to reflect the current situation in Ireland due to COVID-19. The requirements are 25 CPD credits and to complete one clinical/practice audit.


The Medical Council has stated that for the Professional Competence Year beginning on 1 May 2021 and ending on 30 April 2022, doctors are required to undertake and record the following activity:

  • 25 CPD credits (in any category: External, Internal, Personal Learning, Research or Teaching);

and

  • One Clinical / Practice Audit

The Medical Council has changed Professional Competence requirements for the 2021-2022 year. You can read the Medical Council/COVID-19 updates here (see Section Regulation and CPD).  The requirements outlined above will be kept under review in light of a protracted pandemic and the Medical Council will keep the COVID-19 section of their website updated with the latest information.  

RCSI continue to encourage you to take a broader approach, where it is possible to do so, to ensure that you participate in at least 20 hours of external activities, 20 hours of hospital based events and record your personal learning.

Many of you will already be recording your CPD activity for the current year.  For those of you who have yet to start recording and uploading your CPD activity, we would encourage you to start at your earliest convenience - please go to our Guidelines & Resources for assistance in relation to how to upload your records.  

 
Mid-Year Entry Point Enrolment – Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme

 

CPD Support Scheme (CPD_SS) applications for Mid-Year Entry Point Enrolment will open the 13th of December 2021 to the 31st of January 2022


 

CPD Support Scheme applications for Mid-Year Entry Point Enrolment will open the 13th of December 2021 to the 31st of January 2022. Applications can be submitted here

 

We would kindly ask that NCHDs currently enrolled on our CPD Support Scheme to notify any new NCHDs who are eligible to enrol during the months of December 2021 and January 2022. NCHDs currently enrolled on the 2021/22 CPD Support Scheme do not need to enrol again.

 

For more information, read our brand-new FAQs section here.

 

Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us at cpdss@rcsi.ie

 
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS

The aim of creating a Professional Development Plan (PDP) is to document a process of self-analysis and set new and clearly definable educational goals for yourself in advance of the Professional Competence Scheme each year. It is not currently compulsory to complete a Professional Development Plan, however it is recommended that you do so.


The aim of creating a Professional Development Plan (PDP) is to document a process of self-analysis and set new and clearly definable educational goals for yourself in advance of the Professional Competence Scheme each year. It is not currently compulsory to complete a Professional Development Plan, however it is recommended that you do so.    Creating a PDP at the beginning of each Professional Competence Scheme year encourages you to plan your activities during the year and to set out goals for your personal development. It can also be used to reflect on and monitor your progress during the year.

 

Complete your Professional Development Plan and claim two CPD credits in the Internal Category

 

Having completed your PDP you may choose to review it with a professional colleague and you may each claim one CPD Credit in the Internal Category

 

At the end of the year (April 30th), you should review your PDP and assess whether you have met your goals.  You may claim one CPD credit in the Internal Category for reviewing your PDP at the end of the year. 

 

Full guidelines and forms are available here

 

 

 
How do I upload CPD Credits for the Internal Category

When attending an internal activity within the hospital, you should ensure that you obtain a Certificate/ document confirming attendance at internal meetings/ activities.


When attending an internal activity within the hospital, you should ensure that you obtain a Certificate/ document confirming attendance at internal meetings/ activities. Evidence for a recurring activity, such as Grand Rounds, Multidisciplinary meetings can be uploaded in one document (memo, letter or Certificate).  Your evidence document for Internal CPD credits must carry your name and the name of your hospital/institution and confirmation from the organiser / clinical lead/ hospital administration / that you did attend.

 

You will need to attach a document confirming attendance to the event uploaded to your PCS portfolio or keep a hard copy on file. It is necessary to keep a record of the meeting including at a minimum, title of activity, a list other dates the activity took place, the start and finish times and meeting focus.   Click HERE for sample document.

Photocopies / photographs of sign in book at meetings is NOT appropriate evidence for Internal activities.

 

When uploading Internal activities to your PCS e-Portfolio, you can upload one entry with a round-up of your attendance.   Example:  Enter a date/ choose the category – Internal / grand Rounds and then in the description box, sample text:  attendance at Grand Round meetings between x date  and x date.  Then enter the number of credits example say 8 CPD credits.  Then you need to attach the confirmation of these meetings as per sample document here.

 

If you require any further clarification or need any assistance with this, please do not hesitate to contact pcs@rcsi.ie

 
Using your smartphone to upload Certificate / CPD activity

You can login to your RCSI PCS ePortfolio on your smartphone and save the mobile adapted version of PCS to open enabling you to view your details and upload activities.

 

Click here to see the step by step guide on how to add the PCS icon shortcut onto your phone

 

Click hereto see how to upload certificates / cpd activity


You can login to your RCSI PCS ePortfolio on your smartphone and save the mobile adapted version of PCS to open enabling you to view your details and upload activities.

 

Click here to see the step by step guide on how to add the PCS icon shortcut onto your phone

 

Click hereto see how to upload certificates / cpd activity

EXTENDED ABSENCE FROM WORK

The Medical Council recognise that periods of certified leave (Maternity /Sick/Carers / Parental /  Bereavement / Adoptive leave) longer than three months may result in a doctor not being able to meet their obligations in relation to professional competence over that period.



The Medical Council recognise that periods of certified leave (maternity /Sick/Carers / Parental /  Bereavement / Adoptive leave) longer than three months may result in a doctor not being able to meet their obligations in relation to professional competence over that period.

 

If you are (or have been) absent from practice for three months or more during the professional competence year due to maternity or sick leave (which runs from 1st May - 30th April), you should inform RCSI PCS department.  Please complete the Form which is available on our Website or click here 

 

We will record the absence on your PCS portfolio and an annotation will be appear against the relevant year on your Statement of Participation. Where possible, you should try and maintain some engagement in maintenance of professional competence during your absence from practice. You may be required by the Medical Council to produce documentation supporting your absence from practice if you are selected for a Maintenance of Professional Competence Audit.

 

 
Webinar Wednesday 15th December 2021

Wednesday, 15 December 2021 at 6pm webinar which will focus on 'Regional Update: Current Opportunities and Obstacles to delivery of Surgical Care in Northern Ireland'.

 

Click HERE to register

 

1 CPD credit for attendance at live webinar

 


 
Browse our list of courses for 2021 /2022

RCSI provides dedicated educational courses for non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) through the Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme (CPD-SS). Click here to browse our list of available programmes for 2021/2022.  Courses are free for NCHDs on the CPD-SS and a fee to attend is applied for others who are interested subject to availability.


 
Calendar of Events

You can see a full list of all upcoming CPD events using our online interactive calendar


For details on Events approved for External CPD credits by RCSI - click on Calendar of Events