Presented to:

BC Care Providers Association30th Annual Conference, Whistler, BCMay 6, 2013

Presented by:Bruce Bell, Director, BC CACHWRE-mail: bruceb@healthmatchbc.orgPhone: 604-714-2268

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Role and Mandate of the Registry

To protect vulnerable patients, residents and clients.

To establish and improve standards of care in the care aide and community health worker occupations, now called Health Care Assistants (HCAs).

To promote professional development for care aides and community health workers (HCAs) and to assist these workers in identifying career opportunities.

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The Care Aide Registry took effect on Jan.29, 2010. As of May 2013, the Care Aide Registry has registered 46,000 Care Aide Workers.

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This number includes the following:

Health Care Assistants currently working full time, part time or casual.

LPN/PNs who work as HCAs as well as RN/PN students who have completed the first two semesters of their training.

Process for Removal from the Registry

Employers report alleged abuse HCA cases to the Registry

Registry removes HCA from active registry list

Suspended or terminated

Back to active registration

Investigation

Remain de-registered

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Employers Abuse Reporting FormAvailable at www.cachwr.bc.ca.Click on:

Employer InformationReporting a Violation

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Reported Alleged Abuse Cases

To date the Registry has been notified regarding 185 alleged abuse discipline cases.

The Registry has five investigators. Lisa Hansen Paula Butler Jean Greatbatch Kate Young Elaine Doyle

Of the 185 alleged abuse cases 54 have gone to an investigator appointed by the Registry.

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Alleged Abuse Reports

185 alleged abuse cases reported

84 suspensions for abuse

101 terminations for abuse

54 registry investigations

8 HCAs permanently remove from the Registry after an investigation

30 HCAs returned to the Registry after remedial conditions fulfilled

37 HCAs removed from the Registry and not disputed by the union or individual

10 employer/union resolved the issue in the grievance procedure

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The Registry: A Review

The Review was announced in June 2012. Final report released on March 21, 2013.

It is a model to support Health Care Assistant (HCA) professions, oversee unregulated health workers, and ensure patient safety and quality care.

Health Care Assistants (HCAs) were formerly known as Care Aides & Community Health Workers.

The first registry in Canada designed to track and address cases of alleged abuse.

The Registry has been developed and implemented through a phased approach.

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On-going Commitment Developing and implementing the Registry model would not

have been possible without the support of all the stakeholders – Educators, Employers, Unions and Senior Advisory Groups.

The Ministry of Health remains committed to the Registry model and looks forward to working with its partners to continue strengthening the Registry.

Expanding to the private sector.

Strengthening the Registry Advisory Committee by adding a Ministry of Health representative.

Enhance the protection mandate to the vulnerable.

Potential alternative funding options.

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Report Findings

The recommendations in the review report cover four broad areas for improvement:

1. The enabling framework

2. Governance

3. Gaps in the protection mandate

4. The funding model

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Action Plan

High level response to recommendations focused on short, medium and long term actions

Sets the direction

Stakeholder involvement will be critical

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1 – The Enabling Framework

Assess implications of expanding Registry mandate to include private sector

Possibility has existed since the onset, and raised by both BC Ombudsperson and in the review

Better protection of vulnerable individuals

Some private Employers are already requesting to participate

Educators are encouraging all students to register

Will be pursuing discussions with all stakeholders regarding challenges with existing model re: disentangling LR/Registry issues to inform discussions with the Unions

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2 – Governance

Review how to strengthen the Registry Advisory Committee’s role in governance

Ensure there is a clear process to raise and address issues/concerns within the Committee

Bring Ministry of Health representative to the table to ensure alignment with government priorities and progress with items in the Action Plan (role TBD – i.e. Member or ex-officio)

Support communication strategies flowing from the Registry Advisory Committee

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3 – Protection Mandate

Protection of vulnerable individuals should be the key goal/interest of all parties

Assess privacy issues raised in light of need to protect public

Need to balance interests of others

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4 – Funding Model

No significant changes to the funding model are planned in the short-term.

Assess funding options for additional costs to those located outside of the lower mainland

Assess protocols for investigator costs and the possibility of more standardized processes

Before considering any changes, it is necessary to understand the implications of expanding the Registry mandate to include the private sector.

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Ongoing Development

As part of the phased approach, the Registry will be moving forward with the development of Educational processes, including:

Finalizing and implementing the Education Recognition process for BC HCA programs

Developing a pilot of the proposed PLAR process for those without certification from a recognized BC HCA program

Hiring a full-time Education Assessment Officer

Implementing any necessary changes resulting from the review of the provincial HCA competencies and curriculum

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Looking Ahead

Actions outlined in the Registry Action Plan are dependent on meaningful participation on the part of key players

Implementation will depend on feasibility and collaboration with Unions, Employers, Educators, and other stakeholder groups

Roll-out will look at short, medium and long term strategies

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the role of the appointed investigator?

R. The primary role of the investigator is to make a recommendation to the Registry regarding the HCA status with the Registry.

Q. Is the investigator’s decision binding with respect to placement/removal on/from Registry?

R. The investigator’s decision is binding with respect to placement/removal from the Registry. Unionized employees have the right to pursue the matter in arbitration under the applicable CBA.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. At an investigation is the employer expected to advocate for removal from the Registry?

R. No, the employer’s responsibility is to assist the investigator and provide the facts that led them to the decision to terminate the employee. The decisions on membership with the Registry rests exclusively with the investigator.

Q. Does the investigator have any other role?

R. The investigator can with the parties concurrence mediate the employee’s termination of employment. In doing so, the investigator may be required to look at the broader employment relationship to make a recommendation in the resolution of the dispute to the satisfaction of the parties.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. As an employer, should I check with the Registry before offering employment to a HCA?

R. By registering with the Care Aide Registry as an employer, you can look online to verify whether a HCA is registered or not.

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BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry200 –1333 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 4C6Toll free phone: 1-877-867-3222Toll free fax: 1-877-494-3222Website: www.cachwr.bc.caEmail: register@cachwr.bc.ca

Bruce Bell, Project DirectorEmail: bruceb@healthmatchbc.orgPhone: (604) 714-2268

Elizabeth Thow, Administrative AssistantEmail: elizabetht@healthmatchbc.orgPhone: (604) 742-5505

More information is available at www.cachwr.bc.ca

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