2021 has been a turbulent and exciting time to be a medical laboratory technologist. MLTs in the workplace have demonstrated their resiliency and adaptability to the changing work environment and continue to demonstrate the value of MLTs .
The Board continues to work on its strategic plan to enhance self regulation for MLTs. The Board continues to meet virtually during the pandemic. You can view the progress in the meeting highlights below. As well, NSCMLT continues to support the MLAs on the journey towards self regulation. I am very proud of the work done by the volunteers of our Board and committees and by all MLTs in the workplace. NSCMLT continues to move forward with its strategic plan, policy approval and development, and we also continue to work on the MLT shortage, and workforce planning. Nationally we continue to work with our counterparts on MLT initiatives.
THANK YOU to all our members for stepping up, adapting, and taking on new roles to ensure the turn around time for patient testing was and is at its best. The public’s expectations of us is high and you have demonstrated that MLTs are up for the challenge. We know the public can count on MLTs to use the best available evidence to keep patients safe. 
Nicole Watson NSCMLT Chair
MEET YOUR BOARD MEMBER - DOREEN CAMPBELL 
Doreen has been a public representative on the NSCMLT board since 2020 and is a member of the Professional Practice Committee. With a clinical practice focus in Maternal/Newborn nursing, she has extensive experience as a faculty member in several diploma and baccalaureate nursing programs in Nova Scotia and Toronto. A passion for supporting internationally educated nurses (IENs) as they navigate and prepare for Canadian licensure requirements led her to develop and facilitate both in-person and virtual classes for IENs registered with Immigrant Services Association of NS (ISANS). She acquired a working knowledge of licensing pathways for various internationally educated health care professionals (IEHPs) and collaborated with healthcare employers, regulatory bodies, educators, and other stakeholders to support them in their journey towards licensure. With a strong interest in adult learning and professional development, Doreen has developed and delivered a mentorship program, facilitated preceptor workshops, and participated in many professional/organizational development initiatives. Past experiences as an educator included participation as an Inter-Professional Education (IPE) Program Facilitator for Dalhousie/IWK, an item writer for a Canadian nursing textbook, and an item writer in Ottawa for the former Canadian Registered Nursing Exam. Doreen has participated in inter-professional simulation labs at Dalhousie's Centre for Collaborative Clinical Learning and Research, an activity that she found to be a rewarding avenue for continued personal and professional growth. A recently retired RN, Doreen returned to assist as an immunizer at the Covid-19 clinics this past summer. She holds Bachelor and Master of Nursing and Master of Education degrees. On a personal note, Doreen very much enjoys her role as an appointed Administrative Justice of the Peace (wedding officiant). She lives in Bedford and spends summers at her “happy place” in Pictou County. |
Policies/Guidelines - Approved: PGL.005 Practising in an Unfamiliar Setting, PGL.006 Guidelines for Documentation of Laboratory Results, REG.019 Request an Accommodation to Practice, REG.020 Disclosure of a Criminal Conviction of an Offence, REG.028 Criminal Records and Vulnerable Sector Checks. - Reviewed member survey results of the annual meeting.
- NSCMLT endorsed the principles of CSMLS Simulation and Competency obtainment for MLT students .
- Approved reallocation of funds within the budget.
- NSCMLT endorsed a Federal study to support the research on mental health of MLTs in the workplace.
- NSCMLT will no longer post jobs on the website.
- Approved the requirement for new applicants and reinstatement applicants to provide a criminal record and vulnerable sector check as proof of good character.
- Approved grant guideline changes where the funds could be approved for activities that are started in the calendar year the funds are requested and payments will be issued when the course is successfully completed.
- A Board survey was completed with no red flags identified and suggestions for improvements were made. It was noted that the Board is diverse and members feel comfortable sharing their opinions.
- The Board approved that the Truth and Reconciliation holiday September 30th will be recognized.
- The Board attended an educational session on "The Investigation Process and Hiring Appropriate Professional Resources To Aid In The Process".
- The Board approved that all in person meetings or visitors to the office would require attendees to be fully vaccinated. The meeting may take place online if the person is not fully vaccinated. Vaccination records will not be stored at the office. This is noted on the website.
- NSCMLT had representation on the NSCC MLT program accreditation process this year.
PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented strain on our health system, and health care professionals have been at the forefront of that response for over a year. Vaccination efforts continue through eligibility criteria set by government in accordance with the best evidence and available vaccine supply. Health professionals hold positions of leadership and trust within the health system and the community. It is critical that health care professionals provide accurate information about COVID-19. Professional responsibilities of a regulated health professional during this pandemic include: ● Honesty in disclosing any symptoms, risks factors, and COVID-19 exposure, and taking appropriate action to ensure others are not put at risk. ● Remaining aware of and adhering to public health guidance on PPE and infection control. ● Providing information about COVID-19, vaccination, and infection control measures in your practice, and in any public domain, including on social media, that is consistent with public health guidance and evidence. ● Follow NSH and IWK COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
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CONCURRENT DISCIPLINE & CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Should a discipline hearing proceed even though a criminal trial on related allegations is pending? In Berko v. Ontario College of Pharmacists, 2021 ONSC 6120 (CanLII), https://canlii.ca/t/jj5tn the practitioner asked for the discipline hearing to be deferred: The Applicant argued before the Discipline Committee that he would face irreparable harm if the discipline hearing preceded the criminal trial; should he choose to testify at the hearing, that testimony could be used against him in the subsequent criminal trial. Moreover, the Applicant’s participation in the discipline hearing would serve to reveal his defence strategy to the criminal prosecutor, or the Discipline Committee might draw an adverse inference if he did not testify. The Committee balanced the competing considerations and indicated that it “was not persuaded that the Applicant would suffer any irreparable harm if the stay [i.e., deferral] was denied”. The practitioner sought judicial review of the decision. The Court declined to interfere on the basis that the application was premature. The Court provided the following additional observations: The Applicant may well face some tactical choices about whether to testify in the discipline hearing but that does not rise to the level of procedural unfairness that would constitute an exceptional circumstance. If there is prejudice to the fairness of the disciplinary proceedings, that can be raised at the end of the hearing on an appeal. As well, it is not unusual that discipline proceedings and criminal proceedings overlap. The Applicant’s submission that testifying at the discipline hearing might prove prejudicial, or that the discipline hearing would betray his defence strategy in the criminal case, is a generic submission that could be made in every case. To show exceptional or extraordinary circumstances requires more. There is no evidence that the Applicant will expose himself to any irreparable harm should the discipline hearing precede the criminal trial. The disciplinary allegations overlap with but are not the same as the criminal charges. We can only presume that the criminal court will ensure the Applicant’s right to a fair trial by adhering to the rules of evidence and affording the Applicant protections guaranteed by the Charter. While discipline panels need to consider the circumstances of the individual case, in the absence of particular unfairness discipline proceedings may proceed before the related criminal trials. By: Bernie LeBlanc October 25, 2021 http://www.sml-law.com/blog-regulation-pro/ |
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LIMITS TO THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
There is little doubt that the limits on practitioners’ freedom of expression is becoming a central issue in professional regulation in recent years. Pandemic-related speech will only accelerate this trend. While the circumstances are rather unique, the case of Lauzon v. Justices of the Peace Review Council, 2021 ONSC 6174 (CanLII), https://canlii.ca/t/jj90l provides some additional insights on this issue. The practitioner, a Justice of the Peace, published an opinion piece about the bail system in a national newspaper. A disciplinary panel found the article constituted professional misconduct for bringing the administration of justice into disrepute because of “the manner by which she did so, including the language that she used, the personal attacks that she levied against Crown counsel appearing before her, and the statements she made conveying disdain for the justice system in which she is an integral participant.” The majority of the panel recommended removing her from her position. The Court found that the panel had conducted an appropriate balancing exercise in determining whether the nature, context and content of the expression supported disciplinary action despite the practitioner’s freedom of expression rights. Of relevance were guidelines that had been published on the issue. The Court found that the panel did not require actual evidence as to whether public confidence in the administration of justice was undermined. In terms of the sanction, the Court upheld the recommendation for removal on the basis that no error in principle was demonstrated. The sanction was protective of public confidence in the legal system and not punitive. The conduct was serious, mitigating factors were taken into account, and prior precedents were considered. The Court also indicated that the panel’s consideration of the manner in which the practitioner responded to the complaint and during the hearing (misleading and combative) and the lack of remorse and remediation were appropriately considered on the issue of whether a lesser sanction would be effective. Those considerations were not treated as aggravating factors. Taking a contextual approach as to whether a particular expression is unprofessional can result in misconduct findings being upheld. By: Erica Richler October 14, 2021 http://www.sml-law.com/blog-regulation-pro/
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BUILDING A NETWORK FOR MLTS
The Professional Practice Committee (PPC) is continuing to work on updates to the TeKnowledge.ns continuing competency program through an evaluation process and works on other professional practice issues as they arise.The Public Safety Committee (PSC) works on areas of public safety and is currently working on researching the safe use of home testing devices.
MLT SPOTLIGHT The following article highlights the practice of 3 MLTs in NS and their contribution to the new micrographic surgery program at NSH: Mohs micrographic surgery procedure
NEW! PRACTICE GUIDELINES PGL.005 Practising in an Unfamiliar Setting
PGL.005 Practising in an Unfamiliar Setting
PGL.006 Guidelines for Documentation of Laboratory Results
PGL006_Guidelines for Documentation of Lab Results | | DALHOUSIE FACULTY WELLNESS PROGRAM OFFERS
Everybody is welcome to join! Each session offers short mindfulness practices to help participants unwind, revitalize, and to learn ways to find calm in the midst of the pandemic. The program is open to all healthcare providers, trainees, hospital workers, leaders, and researchers. And we are writing to ask that you please let faculty, students, and staff in your university-affiliated hospital know about Pause 4 Providers - so that others in your community of practice may benefit. Read more about Pause 4 Providers as featured on the Royal College newsroom website. Please visit our website www.pause4providers.com for program details and the zoom link. For further information, contact pause4providers@gmail.com.
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NSCMLT Hosted an Online Educational Event on October 23 2021 Dr. Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health in NS was our opening speaker, who reviewed the Public Health response and the critical factors that led to successful management of the Covid 19 pandemic in NS. He focused on the incredible teamwork of MLTs leading to a successful response. Dr. Strang ended with a huge THANK-YOU to MLT's in NS and noted: “Be proud of the role you have played in our pandemic response. You have helped save many lives and greatly reduce the impacts of the pandemic”
Carolyn reviewed the TeKnowledge.ns continuing competency program and the evaluation survey completed in Sept. 2021. The evaluation process is ongoing and those who expressed interest to participate will be contacted in Dec. 2021. Link to professional development and continuing education (PD/CE) sources for MLTs to use to plan their PD/CE learning goals: Continuing Education Sources
Annie Battiste, a Reconciliation Consultant with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. Annie led us through an enlightening presentation on reconciliation and how to move ahead. Annie provided the following link for gaining further understanding and ‘pathways for moving forward’. Pathways for Moving Forward
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Free Course on Indigenous Histories and Contemporary Issues
NSCMLT has been working diligently to review issues of social injustice and attend education sessions, specifically the calls to action as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Report. The report contains specific calls to action regarding the Education and Health Care of Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Canada has developed a FREE course that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. The course includes 12 lessons to begin the journey of understanding and healing. This course qualifies for continuous education credits. Click here for more information and to register: Indigenous Canada
Course - Indigenous Histories And Contemporary Issues In Canada
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