CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION - Part 1

04 Jun
2015

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This 2 part series will take a closer look at continuous professional education and how this aspect of business is equal to the massages you perform.

Commitment to continuous development

Professional development is an inherent part of many industries and professions. Working as a massage therapist requires you to participate in professional development (PD) throughout your career. Professional development is also a requirement of massage associations and forms part of their membership conditions.

Your professional development commences after completion of either the Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Practice or Diploma of Remedial Massage qualifications (depending on when you commence practice).

The purpose of PD is to encourage continued lifelong professional learning and growth. The completion of the yearly PD requirements also ensures that practitioners meet the competency and accountability standards of industry, government and insurance.

As part of ongoing PD, massage therapists are committed to earning a minimum amount of PD points as set out by their chosen massage association. These standards can be found on massage association websites along with the administration process required to ensure you remain an active and recognised member of the association.

PD activities are not only limited to approved courses or activities. There is currently much flexibility in how you can earn your PD points. In fact many of you will be earning your PD points naturally as part of your commitment to yourself and your clients. Alongside further massage training and clinical courses PD activities also can include:

• Reading books
• Reading journals to keep yourself informed of updates in your industry
• Volunteering at community events
• Attending clinic or staff meetings or information sessions to remain up to date in your workplace
• Writing an article
• Publishing a book
• Undertaking business skill courses
• Undertaking personal effectiveness courses

What each association accepts will be set out in their PD requirements.

However, as you can see from the above PD can be an equally rewarding part of your work, as it assists and supports you in staying up to date with the industry and ensuring you bring the best to your clients. It need not be something arduous or difficult but another opportunity to choose a path of learning that works for you. PD is constantly supporting you to develop and build your skills, your quality and therefore your services as a massage therapist.

In next week’s Studymassage News, we feature Part II of this series, on the importance of choosing PD that will grow you are a person.