You may not practice without registering with the HPCSA, but there are also many advantages to being part of the healthcare community.
Practitioners whose professions fall within the ambit of the HPCSA are obliged to register. In return, the practitioner can rest assured that the profession is safeguarded.
The role of the HPCSA apart from guiding the professions is to:
a) Confer professional status
· The right to practise your profession
· Ensuring no unqualified person practises your profession
· Recognising you as a competent practitioner who may command a reward for services rendered
b) Setting standards of professional behaviour
· Guiding you on best practices in healthcare delivery
· Contributing to quality standards that promote the health of all South Africans
· Acting against unethical practitioners
c) Ensuring your Continuing Professional Development through:
· Setting and promoting the principles of good practice to be followed throughout your career by keeping you up to date with healthcare trends; and
· Improving client care skills.
Practitioners who are not practising their profession may in terms of section 19(1)(c) of the Health Professions Act 1974 (Act 56 of 1974) request that their name be removed from the relevant register on a voluntary basis. A written request should reach Council before 31 March of the year in which the practitioner wishes his or her name to be removed from the register.
Practitioners relocating to other countries are also required to inform the HPCSA prior to the relocation. Several practitioners do not renew their registration when relocating overseas and as a result practitioners are subject to steep restoration fees, which could be avoided, hence, HPCSA is requesting practitioners inform it in time should a practitioner which to were no longer going practice in South Africa.
Practitioners should at all times inform the HPCSA within 30 days of their change of address as indicated in terms of s18(3) of the Health Professions Act (as amended).
To update your details, please contact the HPCSA Call Centre on 012 338 9300 or info@hpcsa.co.za
Last Updated on 7 August 2015 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs