Advanced Practitioner Advisory Panel

An Advanced Practitioner is defined as a professional who fulfils all aspects of the expectations for the AIR Accredited Practitioner and, additionally, demonstrates expertise across seven dimensions of practice, and is able to provide evidence of their advanced capability in each dimension. While the dimensions of practice are described individually, the Advanced Practitioner recognises their practice as holistic and is able to draw appropriately upon all aspects of their expertise to provide optimal, expert, contextual patient care.

The term "advanced practice" means circumstances in which a Diagnostic Radiographer or Radiation Therapist conducts their clinical practice, in a manner which is beyond the established core practice boundaries of their profession. An Advanced Practitioner may incorporate an extended scope of practice within their clinical work but operates at a level which incorporates significantly more than an extended scope of practice. 
The Advanced Practitioner operates in an environment where local need defines the impetus for, and nature of the advanced practice role.  The clinical responsibilities of an advanced practice role are defined and designed to fulfil needs/gaps/skills transfer opportunities for expert practice identified in the individual’s medical imaging or radiation therapy workplace. The responsibilities associated with the advanced practice role are clearly defined, described, formalised and documented in the individual’s workplace. Advanced practice roles are supported with the necessary time, resources and recognition from local management to ensure that the Advanced Practitioner is able to fulfil their clinical responsibilities. The Advanced Practitioner is provided with a readily accessible Clinical Mentor in the workplace, who is an appropriate/relevant leader in the advanced scope of practice, often a Medical Specialist or Physics Specialist.

The Inter-professional Practice Advisory Team (IPAT), established by the Board of the AIR and chaired by Dr Ian Freckleton SC included representation from all stakeholders across the medical radiation professions.  IPAT met on a number of occasions during 2011 and 2012. The IPAT agenda was to:

• Identify opportunities to apply new models of advanced practice; 
• Strategise around the concept of advanced clinical practice;
• Create a framework for advanced practice standards and guidelines; 
• Consider professional indemnity issues related to advanced practice; and 
• Consult with Australian universities about advanced practice education.

The IPAT process culminated in the report released by Dr Ian Freckleton SC on 21st April 2012, entitled “Advanced Practice in Radiography and Radiation Therapy” and launched at the 2012 ASMIRRT.

APAP are now devising strategies through which the recommendations of the report may be implemented.  Regular updates regarding the progress will be printed in Spectrum. If you wish to contact APAP for further information, or would like to send feedback to the panel, please e-mail apap@air.asn.au.

 *** Report from Ian Freckelton SC, Chair IPAT (21st April 2012) ***

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