What counts as CPD for non-clinical AHPs?

The types of CPD can include:

• Work-based learning - e.g. reflecting on experiences at work, considering feedback from service users, or being a member of a committee.
• Professional activity - e.g. being involved in a professional body or giving a presentation at a conference.
• Formal education - e.g. going on formal courses or carrying out research.
• Self-directed learning - e.g. reading articles or books.

But what does this look like in reality? In some ways, as a non-clinical AHP, resources can be harder to come by, but there could be many things you are already doing day-to-day that can count towards this mixture of activities. The key thing for non-clinical CPD is to demonstrate that your activities are linked and relevant to your scope of work.

Here are just a few suggestions to get your CPD juices flowing:

Carrying out training for educational supervision or management roles

These are relevant forms of CPD for non-clinical roles. Being able to provide supervision is especially important and predicted to be in demand at the moment given changing and extended roles, uncertainties, higher levels of stress, and increased remote delivery due to the pandemic.

Learning professional or business-focused skills

Depending on what is required of your position, these could be gained from performing roles such as Regional Advisor or Educational Supervisor for AHPs, or they could centre around business planning, writing, or reporting skills that could apply to your field of work.

Reading tweets by any relevant associated bodies

For example, The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice - ASLTIP, The College of Paramedics, The British Dietetic Association, The Royal College of Occupational Therapists, and THe Royal College of Radiologists.

Following industry influencers on social media

Such as Rachel Moses (@AHPLeader).

Reading new research papers posted by relevant research bodies

Google Scholar can also be a good source of new research - for example, this paper on “Strengthening Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional Leadership in the UK - a realist evaluation” or this journal article on “Frontline Allied Health Professionals in a Tertiary Children’s Hospital: Moving Forward Research Capacity, Culture and Engagement”.

Listening to podcasts on your profession

For example, The Speech and Language Therapy Show for SLTs, The OT Roundtable for occupational therapists, or Picking Up The Pieces for paramedics.

Watching any relevant TV documentaries

These could be related to your specific healthcare profession, or may tie in with your non-clinical areas of interest.

Listening to a topical debate or documentary on the radio

Catch up with debates and documentaries through BBC Sounds. There are often programmes of AHP interest, as well as business and career-focused topics.

Watching live and pre-recorded videos on YouTube or other video sharing platforms

Many webinar providers will make their presentations available for viewing after the event, so keep an eye out for these great free resources.

Exploring the many online training courses available through health boards, trusts and universities

For example, RCSLT Events, the College of Paramedics, or the British Association of Art Therapists.

Reading a newspaper article or blog

Topical news stories often give opportunities for reflection on your own practice.

Reflecting on your experience after being involved in some industry campaigning

Such as from your experiences when taking part in a campaign like AHPs Listen.

Being mentored or mentoring others

For example, The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Training Hub runs a coaching programme with mentoring taster workshops.

Improving your day-to-day skills

This could include things like enhancing your IT and digital skills.

Reflecting on an article published in an industry-specific magazine

This can be a good way to keep up to date on industry topics and trends.

Setting up a journal club

Meet with colleagues to discuss and reflect together on industry-specific journal articles. Your colleagues may have different viewpoints that you can mull over together.

Where will your CPD journey take you next?

If any of these have jogged your memory, or inspired you to start consciously tracking your development activities, then make sure you diarise some time to log and reflect on them.

Whether that’s in a fancy notebook, a spreadsheet, or a CPD tracking app like Julia, by capturing what you are doing regularly, your CPD history will build up in no time!

Please let us know on Twitter if you have any additional suggestions for activities and resources and we’ll update our list so everyone can benefit.

Please note that Julia is not affiliated with any external content nor is it endorsing any particular resources as successful CPD practice.