About the College
FAQs
Q. Please compare the ACMLT fees to other provinces.
A. When the College increased MLT Practice Permit dues in 2009 it considered dues/fees of other provincial MLT regulatory Colleges and other Alberta health-related professional Colleges. Currently, our College Practice Permit dues are the highest in Canada, but our MLTs are also the top earning MLTs across the country due to their Collective Bargaining Agreements. Our Practice Permits dues are the median of all Alberta regulatory healthcare Colleges. If you consider that a professional golfer pays $1500 for the right of title “professional golfer”, our College dues of $590 are not unreasonable. A professional golfer contributes to society and the lighter side of life; however, they do not impact patient wellbeing, nor can their profession save a life.
Q. How many paid staff are at the ACMLT? How did it increase since the start?
The College has five paid staff.
The College staff consists of:
- Executive Director/Registrar/Complaints Director
- Manager of Professional Practice & Competence/Deputy Registrar
- Executive Assistant
- Finance Manager
- Hearings Director
The College had 6.0 FTE in 2008 and decreased to 4.0 FTE in 2009. The College has experience with the adage “do more with less”. The College continues to perform the same functions and meets all regulatory obligations and timelines with two less staff positions.
Q. Why are our fees so high? Where does the cost benefit me?
A professional regulatory body is a self-sustaining entity and must charge appropriately to cover operating costs. The College is a not-for-profit organization so our goal is cost recovery and a stable financial position, but not to profit from our members. In 2008, our College experienced a dramatic rise in the number of complaints of unprofessional conduct and as a result, Practice Permit dues increased to cover associated legal costs. The College continues to experience an increase in the number of complaints and complexity of cases of unprofessional conduct, so there is always the potential for another increase at sometime in the future.
The College exists as a quasi-extension of government as we are bound by legislation and our primary role is protection of the public. A self-regulating College is beneficial to members as it is governed (e.g. College Council) and staffed by other MLTs who have a keen understanding of the role of an MLT. Although the College mandate is public protection and safety, College Council and staff try to balance interests of the public and our members whenever possible so that decisions made are in the best interests of both parties. Some may not see self-regulation as a benefit and privilege until it is taken away. The legal profession in England has lost the right to self-regulation and now has administrators and bureaucrats leading their professional College . . . individuals that know nothing about law and the profession.
Q. Can you provide tips to pass the Continuing Competence Program audit (e.g. type of paperwork and documentation)? Can you print these in our newsletter?
The College Continuing Competence Program binder contains a document in section 5 that outlines the informal and formal learning activities that can be applied to your annual Learning Plan and the specific documentation required to satisfy an audit. Many members are surprised when they review this document and determine that they do not need to retain a large amount of paper in the event they are audited. Sometimes it is as simple as retaining a certificate of participation in a meeting, a copy of a publication title page listing the author and date, or the date, type, and length of time (hours) for annual review of a workplace manual. The College reviews and updates this document annually so please refer to the website under Member Services > Continuing Competence Program > At a Glance > Approved Learning Activities and Documentation for the most current version. This document is four pages in length so we would not routinely print it in Under the Microscope, but there is reference to it in the October 2010 issue.
Q. What role does the ACMLT play if I had a dispute/confrontation with an employer where I felt I required additional support?
The College does not have jurisdiction in matters of this nature as this is an employee-employer issue. The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) would play a role if you had a dispute with your employer.
If the dispute with an employer has a direct impact on patient safety and public protection, this is a matter for the College, but only if the individual against whom the complaint is directed is another regulated member does the College have jurisdiction. If a member wishes to file a formal complaint against an employer (MLT), they must do so in writing and the complaint must be signed. Under the Health Professions Act, the Complaints Director must then act on the complaint within 30 days.
Q. Can someone justify why there is an increase in spending in the ACMLT communication budget?
The College has allocated funding to the communication budget to allow for redevelopment of the College website. Electronic media is the most used form of communication and one of the most efficient and cost effective ways to reach the public and our members. The College has received complaints from many members that the site is not user friendly. We have also had complaints from the public and MLT students that they do not have access to information that is contained on the “members only” side. The College mandate is public protection so we should be transparent in all our activities and programs. The College will be working with a consultant to redevelop the website and a new format is targeted for release fall of 2011.
Q. Can we use attendance at the AGM as one of our learning objectives?
Absolutely, you can use the AGM/Professional Development Symposium as a learning objective on your annual learning plan. The College honors learning activities beginning September 1 to December 31 of a membership year. At least one of your learning objectives must be completed in the membership year for which the Practice Permit is issued. For example, on your 2011 learning plan, you can complete two learning objectives in the fall of 2010, but at least one learning objective must be completed in 2011.
Q. If I need legal representation due to a work complaint against me would the ACMLT have my back and assist me?
The College does not provide Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) or legal defense coverage for our members. CSMLS membership provides MLTs with professional liability and legal defense coverage. PLI provides coverage for civil litigation arising from malpractice in your role as an MLT or MLA. Legal defense insurance pays for the cost of legal representation in the event that you are called to appear as a witness (in your capacity as an MLT/MLA), at a coroner’s inquest or civil proceeding, and it provides coverage for legal defense costs for disciplinary hearings before a regulatory body, and proceedings in criminal court upon a not guilty finding.
