It doesn't surprise me at all that a number of PAs, including yourself, were missed by the CAP's survey. Please make your (and anybody else who was missed) presence known to them. They will not be surprised either, I'm sure.
With my move from east to west, I must beg your pardon; I have misplaced your contact information. If you could remind me, I shall add you to my personal contact list.
I repeat that the CSMLS is not the group to take certification of PAs forward; paying your dues to this group DOES NOT impart professional status. We expect to go the route of the CMA Accreditation Office (see http://www.cma.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/19316/la_id/1.htm). I do not discount OJT PAs, I am one myself. Rest assured that all PAs currently practising will be grandmothered/fathered in some way which (thankfully) will not be decided by you or me (I can't imagine how difficult a task that must be).
Please remember that the over-riding reason for establishing minimum credentials; for certifying those individuals who have successfully attained those credentials; for becoming recognised by a college within the province (and paying the tax-deductible dues to that college); for ensuring continuing education; etc. etc. are all for the protection of the public, those who we serve.
I'd suggest that, as professionals, PAs ask our employers to pay the dues for membership to the CAP and to our provincial college (once they recognise PAs).
Please allow me to recount what was, for me, an amusing news item on CBC Radio. The interviewee was aghast at the fact that there were no educational requirements and no standards for house inspectors. I had to chuckle as I drove to work. If the public only knew! Norman, if you have a look at the principles which define any quality management system, you'll see that one of the over-riding principles is that all those who are providing a service (in this case, healthcare) must do as they document (ie. have procedure manuals) and document what they do (ie. produce a consistent, accurate report). To achieve this, among many other things, those who provide the service must have training (and documentation of that training), performance appraisals and continuing education. The member of the public who walks through our healthcare door must be able to do so with the assurance that they will receive the very best, most consistent care that s/he can possibly receive. And if s/he doesn't? What are we here for?
It may not have been long since all MLTs were OJT but they have all been certified since I've been in the business of being a PA. I guess everything's relative.
I agree with you that credential-creep seems to be all pervasive. Please see my comment in the preceeding post. I feel that an MSc is more than what's needed; especially if the BSc is earned in Canada. The bottom line...no matter what degree you have, you know next to nothing until you actually start doing hands-on bench work. Get the foundation; start building, and the sooner the better. The longer people stay in school, the more (and justifiably) they will expect in salary (the less likely hospitals will want to hire them).
Thank-you for your comments. Please stay in touch.
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