Registration Bodies and Professional Association in Australia - Case Study Example

Comparison between Registration and Professional Bodies Student’s Name: ID Number: Lecturer: Date: Registration Bodies and Professional Association in Australia Registration bodies and professional associations exist in almost every country throughout the world. In developed countries such as Australia, these bodies have distinct roles in their respective disciplines although they both aim at creating suitable atmosphere for delivery of service to the public (Stewart, Adéle, Susan, and Claire 2011). It is important to note that both registration and professional bodies play an important role in county’s economy as well as career development in the respective profession (George, Robert, Lawrence and Kwan 2014). There is distinct difference between these two kinds of bodies in relation to membership as well as operation. In most cases, registration bodies set the legal framework within which all respective practitioners must adhere to (Miller, Linda, Richard, and Martin 2011). They play a regulatory and supervisory role in specific profession. On the other hand, professional associations are made up of members of similar discipline. Main aim of these bodies is to promote their profession as well as protect members’ welfare (Yu, Kyoung, and Frank 2010). In addition, they ensure that their members comply with the professional code of conduct to build favourable public image. Most registration bodies follow specific legislation in their operations. This implies that they are legal institutions created by specific statutes. Legislation defines specific roles of registration body and determines its jurisdiction (George, Robert, et al 2014). On the other hand, professional association is formed when specialists or professionals from similar discipline come together with an aim of forming a unifying body for identity purposes. Both registration and professional bodies aim at promoting competence in their respective disciplines. This paper aims at providing similarities as well as differences between registration and professional bodies. It also gives clear insight about the role of both bodies in the society and how each contributes to the development of particular discipline. Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) and Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) are bodies that regulate professional services of radiographers within Australia. Their main aim is to set standards and ethics which bind every radiologist and radiographer in the course of practice. Members of the MRPBA board are drawn from radiology discipline hence are able to regulate and supervise others to ensure they comply with laid down rules (Stewart, Adéle, et al 2011). In conducting registration of professional radiographers and radiologists, they ensure that it is only those who have the right qualification can practice within Australia. The main objective is to boost public confidence towards the profession and guard professional dignity (Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia, 2014). In this case, AIR is a registration body which carries out accreditation to medical radiologists and radiographers (Australia Institute of Radiography, 2014). Society of Radiographers on the other hand acts as a link between the practitioners and the relevant authority. The main objective of this society is to protect the interest of members (Society of Radiographers, 2011). It is mostly involved where there is dispute between members and authorities. This act facilitates suitable environment for radiology practice (Merchant, Susan, Georgia, and Charlotte 2014). It checks any element of excesses of the government or any agency affiliated with authority against practitioners. In respect of this, radiologists and radiographers are able to discharge their duties without any fear or intimidation from regulatory bodies (Stewart, Adéle, et al 2011). AIR and MRPBA are internal regulatory bodies are their major concern is competency and compliance in radiology profession. International agencies play a watchdog role to ensure that practitioners have suitable environment to discharge their service (Stewart, Adéle, et al 2011). They are also responsible for promoting healthy relations between the government and trade unions. This role enhances harmony between the regulator and the labour union. They both work towards achieving excellence in radiology which is the core part in health sector in Australia (Merchant, Susan, et al 2014). Australian authorities operate in accordance with relevant legislation in this particular country. This legislation may not apply somewhere else although there may be several similar aspects. Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) and Society of Radiographers (SoR) are distinct bodies with different mandate. However, there are several aspects that are similar in these two associations. Both emphasise on compliance to legal and professional standards and ethics (Miller, Linda, et al 2011). Moreover, they all aim at enhancing efficiency and competence in the field of radiology. The end result of this combination of efforts from different independent bodies benefits both the practitioners and general public (Australia Institute of Radiography, 2014). Although the two associations focus on competence of practitioners, Society of Radiographers emphasise on working conditions while the Australian Institute of Radiography is concerned with qualification and accreditation issues (Society of Radiographers, 2011). In this regard, Australian Institute of Radiography is a professional association. This creates the necessary balance thus creating enabling environment for efficient delivery of radiography services (Stewart, Adéle, et al 2011). Registration authority represents respective ministry in this particular profession. Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) is a good example of registration authority. It has the mandate of registering all radiologists and other radiological related practitioners in Australia (Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia, 2014). The board sets the prequalification conditions for registration as a radiologist. This aims at ensuring that there is no compromise regarding professionalism in radiology discipline (Miller, Linda, et al 2011). It allows only those with the right academic and professional qualification in the practice hence boosting public confidence. It protects the public against substandard radiography service from unqualified people. Besides registration, it also undertakes disciplinary role against radiologists and radiographers who do not comply with professional ethics. The board receives complains from members of public, investigates the case and takes action against the individual practitioner. The same body may decide to suspend the license of practitioner depending on the gravity of the case (George, Robert, Lawrence and Kwan 2014). This is determined in accordance with provisions of the Australian laws. Professional associations play a different role although it complements that of registration authority. They help in implementing self-regulation in the profession hence assisting the government in curbing substandard serving in public and private health institutions (Wright, Caroline, Brian et al 2011). Society of Radiographers regulates working standards to ensure that the discipline does not lose public confidence and image is not tarnished. It acts as a link between relevant government authorities and its members (Society of Radiographers, 2011). It also takes account of prevailing working conditions and other work- related issues that affect productivity and efficiency. This brings about mutual benefit since the main aim is to improve performance of radiologists and radiographers. Professional associations also develop individual career by conducting relevant training programmes (Miller, Linda, et al 2011), hence allowing practitioners to exchange ideas, share experiences as well as gain new skills. Training programs exposes practitioners to emerging technology as well diverse knowledge on specific issues related to their daily activities (Stewart, Adéle, et al 2011). This improves productivity, increases skills and builds professional network where individuals interact with their fellow practitioners. Registration authorities have had positive impact on the work place. They influence performance of different sectors of economy in many ways (Kilgour, Andrew, Tania, Mike, and Janet 2013). In radiology and radiography, they ensure that only qualified people engage in this particular trade. This may be due to sensitivity of the task. It requires people who can deliver accurate results since they determine the treatment and prescription by doctors (Australia Institute of Radiography 2014). By ensuring that radiographers and radiologists in practice have the necessary qualification, authorities enhance quality service to the general public (George, Robert, et al 2014). This contributes significantly to the better medical service in Australia. Regulation and control through relevant authorities create need for acquiring professional skills. This is done by ensuring that all training institutions meet the minimum requirement before rolling out their programs to the public (Australia Institute of Radiography 2014). This facilitates quality training hence helping the students in this discipline to acquire skills that match market demands (Merchant, Susan, et al 2014). In this way, there is availability of quality and competent manpower in the market to carry out this sensitive but essential task. As a result, delivery of quality service is enhanced in all public and private institutions. Regulatory authorities are also concerned with progress of the practitioner in terms of skills upgrading and career development (Kilgour, Andrew, et al 2013). Changes in technology have significant effects on nature of the tasks. This is where tools of work adopt new technology hence requiring specific skills from the practitioner. Practitioners in various disciplines upgrade their skills to enable them adopt the changing technology in order to deliver the efficient service (Wright, Caroline, Brian et al 2011). This is checked when the practitioner is renewing the practice license. To have the license renewed by the registration authority, he or she is required to upgrade skills to meet the technological demands of respective discipline. Basically, registration authorities focus on qualification of both practitioners and training institutions. They ensure that the training matches job demands thus providing quality manpower (Kilgour, Andrew, et al 2013). Their mandate is to guard the interest of general public by controlling and regulating practitioners. In particular, Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) analyses current market needs to set the standards for all radiologists and radiographers working in Australia. This kind of regulation ensures that whatever radiologists do is relevant and consistent to what medics expect for proper treatment of patients (Wright, Caroline, Brian et al 2011). This is a vital role in medical sector that government cannot overlook. Compromising the radiological and radiography standards implies poor medical service especially in cases that require radiation service. Professional associations are also keen in providing regulatory role in respective discipline. Members from similar profession come together with an aim of creating a platform for sharing and gaining knowledge (Mackay, Baker, Collier, Lewis 2013).They also discipline their members in case of misconduct in the course of duty. This strengthens observance of code of ethics and professionalism in the discipline. The beneficiary in this case is both the public and practitioner since there is a balance (Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia, 2014). The practitioner gains knowledge through sharing of real experience with others thus able to deliver quality service to the public (Kilgour, Andrew, Tania et al 2013). For instance, when radiologists come together and shares experiences, one is able to get insight on how to handle complex work related issues. Most cases they handle are similar and may be complex in nature. When radiologists share such experience, another one is able to know how to go about it in case the same happens to him (Merchant, Susan, et al 2014). Complexity and technicality in some of the disciplines such as radiology and radiography may be tiring. Practitioners may even develop negative attitude towards their work which compromises end results. To minimise stress in such disciplines, it is necessary to have a common association to sensitize authorities concerning needs of practitioners (Wright, Caroline, Brian et al 2011). This is where trade unions and professional associations come in. Besides, they are concerned with practitioners’ needs in the workplace by ensuring they have reliable tools of work among other issues (Society of Radiographers, 2011). They also voice their need for proper compensation and favourable working conditions. This aspect of collective bargaining motivates practitioners. Consequently, association raise the morale of practitioners by ensuring they work in suitable environment as well as making sure they possess the right skills for the job (Kilgour, Andrew, Tania et al 2013). Conclusion In Australia, there are various registration bodies working in accordance with existing legislation. The law outlines specific mandate and responsibility of every authority. It also defines jurisdiction of each authority in terms of extent of operation. This brings order and creates necessary balance operation of these bodies. It ensures that they only operate within the required law. This contributes to developing order in the practice as well as control the quality of service in the market. In addition, legal provision for registration bodies gives them energy to discharge their duty with confidence. They also gain acceptability especially when collaborating with other international bodies within the country and beyond. Existence of professional associations creates a sense of belonging to practitioners especially those with membership to one. While authorities concentrate on requirement and standards, associations provides access to skills and knowledge to members as well as safeguard their interests. Professional associations create checks and balances in the discipline by supporting both the authorities and members in the practice. Medical Radiation Practitioners Board of Australia for instance emphasise on competence and skills on the part of practitioners. This is done with an aim of protecting the image of this particular discipline. However, where authorities tend to violate practitioners’ rights or ignore their need for better treatment, Society of Radiographers and other associations steps in to voice their cry. It is important to note that these bodies bring order in the workplace by controlling quality of service. This also safeguards dignity of both practitioners and institutions at large. With both registration and professional bodies working together, the community is sure of accessing quality service. This has mutual benefit since it is the community that gets the advantage and these bodies are part of it. International bodies come in where there is issue of global concern within the country. Bibliography Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR): Accreditation as a Diagnostic Radiographer/Medical Imaging Technologist or Radiation Therapist http://www.air.asn.au/accreditation.php. Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA): http://www.medicalradiationpracticeboard.gov.au/. Registration standard: http://www.medicalradiationpracticeboard.gov.au/Registration- Standards.aspx. George, Robert, Lawrence Lau, and Kwan-Hoong Ng. 2014 "Team Approach to Optimize Radiology Techniques." In Radiological Safety and Quality, pp. 161-176. Springer Netherlands. Kilgour, Andrew, Tania Gerzina, Mike Keppell, and Janet Gerzina.2013 "Understanding the Place of Assessment Standards."In Educating Health Professionals, pp. 277- 286.SensePublishers. Mackay, S. J., R. Baker, D. Collier, and S. Lewis.2013"A comparative analysis of emotional intelligence in the UK and Australian radiographer workforce."Radiography 19, no. 2: 151-155. Merchant, Susan, Georgia Halkett, and Charlotte Sale. 2014. "Australian radiation therapy– Part two: Reflections of the past, the present, the future." Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences. Miller, Linda, Richard Price, and Martin Vosper. 2011"Training and development for radiographers’ extended roles: a case of ad hoc implementation." Health Services Management Research 24, no. 2: 60-68. Stewart-Lord, Adéle, Susan M. 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