Continuing Professional Competencies (CPC) Program

The CPC Program started on January 1, 2010 for all Regular members of CIPHI.

Questions and concerns regarding the CPC program can be directed to cope@ciphi.ca

To log your PDH hours, please visit the Member's Service Center at www.ciphimember.ca.

Quick Navigation

CPC Program Overview

Program Components

The CPC Program involves four components.

  1. Code of Ethics: CIPHI's Code of Ethics provides the baseline expectation for professional conduct of all EPHPs.
  2. Standards of Practice: The Standards of Practice offer a framework of principles outlining expectations of knowledge, skills and values. They also inform EPHPs of their accountabilities and the public of what to expect of EPHPs.
  3. Discipline Specific Competencies: CIPHI developed a set of competencies that are specific to the field of environmental public health. These competencies describe the essential knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for ongoing success in the role of an EPHP beyond the CPHI(C) certification. Members will conduct an annual self assessment to help identify personal strengths and development areas to focus on.
  4. Professional Development Model: CIPHI has also created a Professional Development (PD) Model. The PD Model quantifies the areas in which EPHPs should direct their professional development in order to maintain and improve their professional competency. To achieve this, the PD Model specifies the annual professional development hours (PDHs) required of regular CIPHI members. PDHs include hours worked in the profession (on the job hours) and a combination of other activities.

Program Steps

The CPC Program involves five steps. Every year, CPHI(C) holders will:

  1. Use the discipline specific competencies to conduct a self assessment
  2. Identify learning objectives and development goals
  3. Review CIPHI's PD requirements
  4. Collect PDHs
  5. Submit their PDHs through the CIPHI membership site

Documents, Tools and Forms

Documents

Tools

Forms

  • The Detail Activity Record Form (Dossier d'activites detaille) is no longer available. Faxed copies of the Detail Activity Record Form to the CIPHI Office will no longer be accepted. Please complete all PDH entries using the on-line module located within the Member Service Centre.
  • All forms can be found on the Members Service Centre website as well.  If you are filling out a Non-Practicing Declaration or Resumption of Practice Application form, these forms can be filled out and attached to the Professional Practice section on your profile on the MSC. These forms no longer need to be faxed or emailed to CoPE directly.
  • The request for special consideration is no longer required. CoPE will be using a pro-rated scale. The member will add an explanation as to the reason for special consideration. Please refer to the CPC Program Reference Guide - Professional Development Model section that is available on the Members Service Centre for further explanation.
  • Non-Practicing Declaration / Déclaration de «non-practique»
  • Resumption of Practice Application / Demande de reprise de la pratique

PDH Approval

** Note: There has been a change in procedure. Only organizations/institutions delivering courses should apply for course credits. Individual members should not apply but should instead record the appropriate number PDHs in their Detailed Activity Records at year-end, with supporting documentation.

Approved Events, Courses & Activities

For all pre-approved events, courses and activities, please refer to the list on the Members Service Centre (MSC) website, and click on the library tab. The list of approved courses is updated regularly as the requests come in.

Frequently Asked Questions

CIPHI has developed answers to a list of frequently asked questions regarding the CPC program. Click here to view the questions and answers, or download the PDF file here.

Council of Professional Experience (CoPE)

The Council of Professional Experience (CoPE) is tasked with administration of the CPC Program. CoPE is comprised of members who have been appointed through consultation with the Branches of CIPHI. The Council has now been in operation since early 2010.

Download the Regulations Governing the Council of Professional Experience here.

Current Membership

  • Craig Nowakowski (BC) - Chair
  • Ron MacIsaac (NB)
  • Julie Scarpino (MB)
  • Gary O'Toole (NS)
  • Ken Gorman (ON)
  • Jon Gaudry (SK)
  • Victor Mah (AB)
  • Doug Quibell (BC)
  • Henry Chong (NEC)

Background Documents and Information

Setting the Context

Public Health events in Canada such as SARS highlighted the need for an overhaul of the Public Health System in Canada. In September of 2004, the Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Health Ministers identified Public Health as a top priority and agreed to develop a 10-year pan-Canadian strategy for Public Health. The strategy focused on the importance of interprofessional approaches that will encourage individuals to think outside of the box, leading to improved cooperation and collaboration among Public Health professionals. Another focus of the strategy was human resource planning that included a commitment to invest in post-secondary education and a commitment to establishing core competencies for Public Health in Canada. As part of the overhaul of Public Health in Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) was established in 2004 and Dr. David Butler-Jones was appointed as Canada's first Chief Public Health Officer. With PHAC in place, there was clear Federal leadership around Public Health and a mechanism for accountability was created. Combined with the Pan-Canadian Strategy for Public Health and national leadership, the environment for consultative development of core competencies for Public Health and discipline-specific competencies for Environmental Public Health was right.

What are Core Competencies for Public Health?

The five core functions of Public Health in Canada, as identified by the Advisory Committee on Population Health, include:

  • Disease and Injury Prevention
  • Health Promotion
  • Health Protection
  • Health Surveillance
  • Population Health Assessment

Based on these core functions of Public Health, core competencies span all Public Health practitioners to be the foundation of human resource planning. The knowledge, skills and abilities for all Public Health professionals are what we refer to as Core Competencies. In identifying pan-Canadian core competencies, it becomes possible to bring together people from across the country and allow them to work together cohesively within a common framework of Public Health leading to increased collaboration and a strengthened and effective Public Health infrastructure.

The Importance of the Continuing Professional Competencies Program for CIPHI

Public Health is a challenging and fast-paced field and practitioners recognize the need to keep pace with ever-changing demands and needs of the public. As an integral part of the Public Health team, it is just as important that we also continue to grow and move forward to keep pace with the dynamic world we live in. Additionally, within the context of this initiative, CIPHI also has an opportunity to 'find our place' in the public health professional community as well as be recognized by other public health professionals as a colleagues.

The Continuing Professional Competencies Program is important to the profession for many reasons including:

  • Provides protection for CPHI(C) holders against challenges to personal competence.
  • Offers a quality assessment tool for employers to assess staff competencies and help focus professional development.
  • Supports Environmental Public Health Professionals in gaining and maintaining the skills, knowledge, and abilities (competencies) essential to their role.
  • Aligns with the CPHI(C) certification proves and will thus enhance the recognized status of EPHPs as specialized professionals.
  • Contributes positively to workforce development in Canada by improving consistency in language, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and enhancing mobility across practice settings and provincial/territorial jurisdictions.

Reference Documents