Principles of regulations for professional Practice Claire McAvoy As part of

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Principles of regulations for professional Practice – Claire McAvoy As part of my HNC course I have been asked to compile a report that compares and contrasts the principles of two regulatory bodies of the care profession. The health professions I have choose to complete this report on are a Nurse who is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and a paramedic who is regulated by the Health and Care professions council (HCPC). In order to register with the NMC a Nurse would first need to obtain a Nursing degree. Most University’s look for 3 Highers as well as Standard Grade English, Maths and a Science preferred. However, this can vary depending on university with some university’s accepting two Highers in order to gain entry. The nursing degree is a three-year course which is split between clinical practice and coursework. A paramedic has two routes the first is to complete one of the following, Foundation Degree, Degree in Paramedic Science or a university Diploma. University’s would be expecting two or three Highers (including a Science) and five standard grades (including maths, English and a science) to gain entry. Courses can vary between 2-4 years and involve a mixture of theory and practical placement. Another option is to apply to become a student paramedic however this is a well sought-after option with recruitment happening only every couple of years. Once qualified through either method paramedics would then register with the HCPC. Nurses must complete Revalidation every 3 years to maintain their registration. The following criteria must have been met since last revalidated this includes, a minimum of 450 practice hours, 35 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) this must be relevant to your scope as a nurse, CPD methods must be documented including number of hours spend and evidence you undertook the activity. Five pieces of reflective feedback must be noted throughout your 3-year period and documented into reflective accounts this can be an event or experience within your own professional practice it can have come from a patient, carer or colleague. Feedback can have been given to yourself verbally, formal or in writing. Reflective accounts then need to be discussed with an NMC registrant who will then need to sign and approve what has been documented. Health and character declaration also must be signed by the nurse registering to state that there have been no health changes or convictions sign last revalidating. As well as Declaring you still have cover under an indemnity arrangement. This all has to them be confirmed by the NMC by looking at evidence submitted. Registration for the HCPC is every 2 years and seems to be more straight forward. In the 2-year period since last registering Paramedics are expected to keep records of not only formal courses but any activity which helps them learn and develop (CPD). There are no set number of hours throughout the two-year process of how much CPD is expected and no documentation has to be sent unless registrar selected for audit. Auditing is done randomly every two years and if selected candidates must submit their examples of continual CPD they have documented.