Board to adopt supervised practice framework after retirement of standard

22 Dec 2022

The Supervised practice framework (the framework) for the medical radiation practice profession will be in effect from 1 April 2023 following retirement of the standard for supervised practice.

The framework was developed by 13 National Boards, including the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (the Board), and Ahpra. It came into effect for 12 Boards on 1 February 2022.

Following a review of its Supervised practice registration standard, the Medical Radiation Practice Board sought approval from health ministers to retire the standard so it could adopt the framework, which was approved. The standard and supporting guidelines will be retired on 31 March 2023.

The framework outlines the National Boards’ expectations and supports supervisees, supervisors and employers to understand what is necessary to effectively carry out supervised practice. The framework also includes the principles that underpin supervised practice and the levels of supervised practice.

What does this mean for medical radiation practitioners?

The new framework closely mirrors many of the principles and arrangements that are familiar to medical radiation practitioners. While there will be some differences in forms and administration, supervised practice will continue in essentially the same way it has previously.

Transition arrangements

Practitioners’ supervision arrangements that were approved by the Board before 1 April 2023 will continue unchanged from that date. A new supervised practice plan or other supporting documents will not need to be submitted unless the practitioner is requesting a change to their current arrangement. However, from 1 April 2023, practitioners will need to use the new reporting template.

All supervised practice arrangements approved by the Board from 1 April 2023 will need to meet the requirements of the Supervised practice framework, and practitioners and their supervisors will be expected to use the supporting documents.

What should practitioners do now?

The Board recommends that all registered medical radiation practitioners, particularly supervisors and supervisees, as well as employers, make themselves familiar with the requirements of the Supervised practice framework, in preparation for when it takes effect for the profession from 1 April 2023.

The Board will publish more resources in early 2023 which will include frequently asked questions and other material to support development of supervision plans and implementing supervision arrangements.

For more information

• Lodge an online enquiry form
• For media enquiries (03) 8708 9200
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) or +61 3 9285 3010 (overseas callers)