Continuing Professional Development

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) involves participating in learning activities to ensure that practising genetic counsellors maintain their skills and knowledge. The Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) and the Australasian Society of Genetic Counsellors (ASGC) are committed to ensuring that people seeking genetic counselling services in Australia and New Zealand receive these services from an appropriately trained genetic counsellor meeting the HGSA Competency Standards for Genetic Counsellors.

The HGSA has adopted a continuing professional development (CPD) program to assess and maintain the required knowledge and skills of its practitioners, to ensure client safety. The CPD program aims to help genetic counsellors adapt to the changing needs of their clients and stay up to date with developments in the field.

FHGSA and MHGSA genetic counsellors can find more information and upload CPD activities through the online CPD portal.

HGSA Continuing Professional Development Policy for Genetic Counsellors

CPD Evidence

Evidence is required for your CPD entries. You need a minimum for 25 hours of CPD. We encourage you to enter more hours than you need to ensure the depth and breadth of your CPD is evident.

Acceptable forms of evidence:

  • Certificate of attendance
  • Email of attendance 
  • Academic transcript or statement of attainment
  • Confirmation of activity assessment
  • Evidence confirming a poster/oral presentation at a conference
  • PowerPoint presentation, webinar screenshot or equivalent (as evidence of authorship)
  • Publication details (as evidence of authorship)
  • Sign in sheet with title of journal article and presenter (as evidence of attendee or presenter) 
  • Screenshot of journal club and webinars which include - title of presentation/article and presenter. If these details are not evident in the screenshot add the details in the text box. (as evidence of attendee or presenter)
  • Minutes from Meetings, that demonstrate attendance and content of event. (as evidence of attendee) 
  • Written reflection

A written reflection is an excellent way to demonstrate your attendance, and the outcomes from the professional development event. A reflection should be included for each presentation or themed session at a conference if no other form of evidence of attendance is provided. Any reflection being used as evidence would benefit from using the following points:

  • A personalised and specific reflection on the knowledge or skill learnt.
  • How the activity may impact on the individual's practice or knowledge base.
  • Optional: Discuss the relevance of this activity in career development. 
  • Optional: Discuss how the broader field of genetic counselling may be evolving.

 

More details can be found in the CPD Policy

 

 

Membership of the Committee

The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee reports to the HGSA Board of Censors for Genetic Counselling. Members of the Committee assess and authorise CPD activities to ensure that FHGSA certified genetic counsellors are supported to maintain and develop skills and knowledge throughout their career. This ensures that they retain their capacity to practise safely, effectively and legally within an evolving Scope of Practice.

Continuing Professional Development Committee Terms of Reference

General Enquiries/Correspondence

[email protected]

Lisa Bristowe

Chair

Dr Lindsay F. Fowles

Member

Dr Michael R. Bogwitz

Member

Ingrid Allard

Member

Lucinda Salmon

Member

Miriam Fine

Member

Ms Joanne L. Kelley

Member

Ms Yasmin Mariette Bylstra

Member

Rachel Williams

Member

Committee Members Content

Members of the CPD committee can search and view member CPD records and files here.