College of Applied Biology

General Introduction

Practice of Professional

Biology in BC

Governance Professional Standards

Evolution of Practice

Advocacy

Rules

Sanctions

for Admission

of Conduct and Practice

Professional Development

Guidance

for Profession

for Change

Public Interest

Member Interest

College of Applied Biology Act

Stand alone, professional legislation “Right to title” The College has responsibility for setting Rules in accordance with the Act College Rules have legal status, same rank as provincial Regulations

College Act Purpose Clause2) The purpose of the college is(a) to uphold and protect the public interest by

(i) preserving and protecting the scientific methods and principles that are the foundation of the applied biological sciences,

(ii) upholding the principles of stewardship of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and biological resources, and

(iii) ensuring the integrity, objectivity and expertise of its members, and(b) subject to paragraph (a),

(i) to govern its members in accordance with this Act and the rules, and(ii) to cooperate with other professional or occupational bodies charged

with governing the conduct or competence of their members on a matter the college considers relevant to applied biology.

College Membership by Sector

College Membership Distribution

What does it mean to be a “professional”

Work in an area of specialized study Meet a defined, high, standard Engage in lifelong learning Abide by a code of ethics Meet all legal obligations Balance duty to profession and client with duty to the public Accountable for practice and conduct

College Member Obligations

Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Mandatory program in professional ethics within 3 years of registration Members are advised to take a professional ethics program every 3 years

Professional Reliance

“Professional reliance is the practice of accepting and relying upon the decision and advice of resource professionals who accept responsibility and can be held accountable for the decision they make and the advice that they give.”*

* Professional Reliance Task Force, July 2006

Professional Reliance ≠

Blind Deference

Professional reliance = deferring to a professional opinion based on an informed and objective assessment of its reasonableness (appropriate)Blind deference = deferring to a professional opinion based solely on the presence of the professional signature and seal/stamp (no reasonable assessment = inappropriate)

College Accountability Mechanisms

Audit Practice Review Discipline

Audit

Proactive Quality Assurance Includes examination of member CPD activities

Continuing Professional Development Rule 16

Members are required to undertake 100 CPD units over 3 consecutive years CPD hours are accumulated in several categories including: Professional practice (employment) General professional and applied biology education Service to the community and the profession Service to the College and/or the APB

Tracking form available from College home page

Discipline

Traditional, reactive process Quality Control Complaint driven Complaint evaluated If deemed to have grounds, forwarded to Panel Hearing conducted Decision made

Members are required to cooperate

Discipline (con’t)

Discipline Committee reviews each complaint Complaints can be dismissed where they are unfounded, frivolous, vexatious, trivial, or not in the public interestComplaints that proceed are forwarded to a Discipline Panel for a Hearing and decisionSubject member, may at any time in the process, present a Conditional Admission

Discipline (con’t)

Reports of discipline actions are published in College Matters and on the web page Discipline related penalties are determined on a case by case basis, based in part on the seriousness of the infractionMembers may be held responsible for the College incurred costs of conducting a discipline action

Practice Review (pending)

Intermediate between Audit and Discipline Process is currently in development Intended to be used where there is an indication that a member is having ethical or practice difficulties Information gathered during Practice Review could be the basis of a Discipline action

ASPB/College TILMA Applications

Completion of the College/ASPB Authorization form Completion of the ASPB Applicant College Application form Signed Indictable Offence Declaration Payment of Application Fee ($175) and Annual Dues ($325 +$25 for professional stamp) Completion of a course in professional ethics within 3 years of BC registration

College of Applied BiologyCouncil 2010-2011

President: Paul McElligott, RPBioPast President: Doug Steventon, RPBioVice Presidents: Joyce Boon, RPBio, Brian Churchill, RPBioCouncillors at Large: Brian Clark, RPBio, Jim Cuthbert, RPBio, Guy Gilron, RPBio Regional Councillors: Vanessa Craig, RPBio, Chris Maundrell, RPBio, RPF, Warren Warttig, RPBioLay Councillors: David Hughes, Maureen McDermid

College of Applied Biology Committees

Discipline CommitteeAudit CommitteeEthics CommitteeCredentials CommitteeNominations CommitteeVarious Council related Committees

College of Applied Biology

Office and Staff 250-383-3306 Linda Michaluk, RPBio, Executive Director

executivedirector@cab-bc.org

Linda Stordeur, RPBio, Registrarregistrar@cab-bc.org

Simon Woo, Office Administratorofficeadmin@cab-bc.org

Kelly McLaughlin, Finance and Book Keepingcab@cab-bc.org

College of Applied Biology

http://www.cab-bc.org for links to College Act, rules and policies Membership information College publications Member Only sections