Note: This article was originally published in the Autumn/Winter 2023 edition of our On Call newsletter and has not been updated.
As midwives are aware, the College has introduced a new Professional Development Portfolio as part of our Quality Assurance Program.
We have published information on the new program on our website as well as a video that gives an overview of the program.
What is the Portfolio Program?
Midwives will develop a personalized Learning Plan to update or expand professional skills or areas of knowledge they want to improve. These unique plans will guide you as you engage in ongoing self-assessment, complete professional development activities, and take part in case reviews in group settings.
This evidence-based program replaces the College’s previous Quality Assurance Program requirements.
The new Professional Development Portfolio has four components:
- Self-assessment. This will assist you in developing your learning goals for the three years of the program.
- Learning Plan. Each midwife will complete three learning goals over the three-year reporting period.
- Case reviews. Midwives who have been registered in a practising class at some point in the three year period may have to complete case reviews. The number of case reviews required depends on the amount of time the midwife is in a practising class (general, supervised practice, transitional).
- Declaration. All midwives are required to declare their professional development activities every three years. Midwives will be able to submit their declaration in the Registrant Portal. More information on when you will be required to report is found on our website.
Who must participate?
All midwives—including those in the inactive class—will be required to submit a declaration of completion to the College via the Registrant Portal by the reporting deadline.
We can make accommodations for midwives who experience barriers to participating in, or reporting on, their Professional Development Portfolio.
When do I report?
You must submit your first declaration of completion three years after you become registered with the College. For those registered on or before October 1, 2021, you must submit in 2024.
After your initial reporting deadline, your Portfolio life cycle will start over, and you’ll be required to submit every three years thereafter.
We’ve provided a table of reporting deadlines on our website here.
The College is here to support you in understanding these changes. Please contact qap@cmo.on.ca with any questions about the new Professional Development Portfolio. We have also published an FAQ on the following page.