This notice replaces the Notice of Scopes of Practice and Related Qualifications Prescribed by the Osteopathic Council
dated the 18th day of September 2009, and published in the New Zealand Gazette, 24 September 2009, No. 140, page 3346.
This notice will take effect from 16 June 2011.
Scopes of Practice
Pursuant to section 11(1) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 ("the Act"), the Osteopathic Council ("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) hold a Master of Osteopathy awarded by Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology or Victoria University, Melbourne, provided those qualifications remain accredited by the Australian and New Zealand Osteopathic Council ("ANZOC");
or
(3) pass the ANZOC overseas assessment process endorsed by the Council;
or
(4) be registered under the Competent Authority Pathway endorsed by the Council, which means that an applicant is registered with the General Osteopathic Council of the United Kingdom and holds a qualification from one of the following institutions:
British College of Osteopathic Medicine (as validated by the University of Westminster since 9 May 2000);
British School of Osteopathy (as validated by the University of Luton since 9 May 2000);
College of Osteopaths (as validated by Keele University since 1 September 2007);
College of Osteopaths (as validated by Middlesex University since 1 October 2001);
European School of Osteopathy (as validated by the University of Greenwich since 9 May 2000);
Leeds Metropolitan University (since 1 September 2007);
London College of Osteopathic Medicine (since 1 October 2001);
London School of Osteopathy (as validated by the University of Brighton or Anglia Ruskin University since 9 May 2000);
Oxford Brookes University (since 1 October 2003);
Surrey Institute of Osteopathic Medicine (as validated by the University of Surrey since 1 January 2003).
2. Scope of Practice - Osteopaths 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:
(a) Post Graduate Certificate in Western Acupuncture, Auckland University of Technology; or
(b) Post Graduate Certificate in Western Medical Acupuncture, University of Hertfordshire (United Kingdom)
or (in addition to paragraph 2(1) above)
(3) if application made 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.
Dated at Wellington this 16th day of June 2011.
ANDREW CHARNOCK, Registrar, Osteopathic Council.