The Accreditation Framework has three levels of accreditation for access to Ministry funded equipment and modification services. These levels are:
Approved Assessors – allied health professionals (for example occupational therapists and physiotherapists) whose existing graduate level training is considered sufficient to assess for and recommend Ministry of Health funded equipment (for example commode chairs, walking frames, household management items) and basic housing modification services. Approved Assessors will also include other support personnel such as service co-ordinators working for organisations supporting people who have sensory loss.
Credentialed Assessors– specific service areas where additional training requirements will be necessary before clinicians can recommend Ministry of Health funded equipment and modification services. These service areas will include wheeled mobility and postural management, communication assistive technology, housing modifications, and vehicle purchase and modifications.
Service Accreditation - specific service areas, primarily community health services, can be accredited to allow District Health Board staff to undertake assessments for certain equipment items (for example low cost, low risk, high volume equipment such as shower stools and over toilet frames) thereby reducing duplication of assessments and streamlining equipment provision. As of 1 April 2011, District Health Boards (DHBs) can commence the process to gain Service Accreditation should they wish to.
A pictorial summary of the Accreditation Framework
Employer Responsibility
When making an application for an Approved Assessor area, such as Hearing Assistive Technology, the assessor will need to complete a declaration that their employer supports the application, providing contact details for the employer.
Meeting accreditation requirements
Before making an application for a credentialled area, assessors will need to successfully complete learning and development requirements, depending on the particular credentialling area concerned. In all cases, the employer is expected to endorse the application and monitor the ongoing competence of the assessor.
Individual Assessor Responsibility
All assessors will need to successfully complete an on-line core module of approximately 20-40 minutes duration that is aimed at ensuring familiarity with the Ministry’s Equipment and Modification Services’ eligibility and application requirements. The link to the on-line core module is http://hiirc.onlearn.co.nz
Applicants who require an annual practising certificate to practice in New Zealand will need to provide a copy of this to Enable New Zealand. This can be emailed to:
Enable New Zealand manages the administration of the framework. This includes receiving and processing accreditation status applications from assessors and sending reminders to assessors one month prior to the expiry of their accreditation, which is valid for a three year period. Application forms are available at http://www.disabilityfunding.co.nz
Note the professional standards monitor role has been disestablished under the new accreditation framework. Where a person is self-employed, they will be required to have a supervisor