Notice Type
General Section
Notice Title

Notice of Scopes of Practice and Related Qualifications Prescribed by the Osteopathic Council

This notice replaces the Notice of Scopes of Practice and Related Qualifications Prescribed by the Osteopathic Council
(“the Council”) dated the 21st day of July 2004, and published in the Supplement to the New Zealand Gazette, 15 September 2004, No. 120, at page 2966. This notice will take effect from 24 September 2009.
Scopes of Practice
Pursuant to section 11(1) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (“the Act”), the Council specifies two scopes of practice as follows:
1. Scope of Practice – Osteopath
Registered osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners who facilitate healing through osteopathic assessment, clinical differential diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctions of the whole person. Osteopaths use various, recognised techniques to work with the body’s ability to heal itself, thereby promoting health and wellbeing. These osteopathic manipulative techniques are taught in the core curricula of accredited courses in osteopathy. The ultimate responsibility for recognition of practice lies with the Osteopathic Council.
2. Scope of Practice for Osteopaths using Western Medical Acupuncture and Related Needling Techniques
Registered osteopaths with the Scope of Practice for Osteopaths using Western Medical Acupuncture and Related Needling Techniques are primary healthcare practitioners who hold the scope of practice of osteopath, and who are qualified to perform Western medical acupuncture and related needling techniques. Western medical acupuncture is a therapeutic modality involving the insertion of fine needles which evolved from Chinese acupuncture.
Qualifications Prescribed for Registration in a Scope of Practice
1. Scope of Practice – Osteopath
Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the Council has prescribed the following qualifications for registration in the Scope of Practice – Osteopath:
All applicants must:
(1) hold a Master of Osteopathy awarded by Unitec New Zealand;
or
(2) pass an examination or other assessment set by the Council or by another organisation approved by the Council;
or
(3) under section 15(2) of the Act, satisfy the Council that they hold an overseas qualification that is, in the opinion of the Council, equivalent to, or as satisfactory as, a Master of Osteopathy awarded by Unitec New Zealand.
2. Scope of Practice – Osteopath Using Western Medical Acupuncture and Related Needling Techniques
Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the Council has prescribed the following qualifications for registration in the Scope of Practice for Osteopaths using Western Medical Acupuncture and Related Needling Techniques.
All applicants must:
(1) hold one of the qualifications prescribed for registration in the Scope of Practice – Osteopath.
and
(2) hold one of the following qualifications:
? Post Graduate Certificate in Western Acupuncture, Auckland University of Technology.
? Post Graduate Certificate in Western Medical Acupuncture, University of Hertfordshire (United Kingdom).
or (in addition to paragraph 2(1) above)
(3) if applying before 31 March 2010, satisfy the Council of their competence in the use of acupuncture by:
(a) successfully completing a post-experience course run by Auckland University of Technology (including attending a two-day workshop, a portfolio-based assessment and a clinical competency examination); and
(b) supplying evidence of relevant acupuncture training and experience that, in the opinion of the Council, is, combined with requirement (a), sufficient for registration as an Osteopath with the Scope of Practice for Osteopaths using Western Medical Acupuncture and Related Needling Techniques; and
(c) if necessary in the opinion of the Council, completing the theoretical component of the Post Graduate Certificate in Western Acupuncture, Auckland University of Technology.
or (in addition to paragraph 2(1) above)
(4) in accordance with section 15(2) of the Act, satisfy the Council that they hold an overseas qualification that is, in the opinion of the Council, equivalent to, or as satisfactory as, one of the qualifications prescribed in paragraph 2(2) above. If necessary in the opinion of the Council, the applicant will be required to complete further training in Western medical acupuncture.
Dated at Wellington this 18th day of September 2009.
ANNETTE INSTONE, Registrar, Osteopathic Council.