FROM THE MSPP PROGRAM CHAIR 

About the  meeting on competency on May 1, 2005

The  six  questions on competency  are available below

Etta Gluckstein Saxe, Ph.D.

As part of the discussion/debate over possible further regulation of the psychology profession through competency evaluation at the time of licensing renewal, MSPP will be offering information in the area of “competency” at its meeting of May 1, 2005. For those interested in understanding what this is about and how it is similar to and different from MCE, an abstract of the presentation is offered below. Details of time, place, etc.,are under Programs on mspp.net  as does  information  about Ms. Brim.

Our speaker will be Melanie B. Brim, B.S., M.H.A., Director, Bureau of Health Professions, Michigan Department of Community Health. Ms Brim will be presenting general information on “Competency” frameworks/models for regulating the professions, with emphasis on a pilot project underway in the Department of Community Health in Michigan. This initiative covers four of twenty professions whose Boards are under her direction. Ms. Brim is meeting with members of these professions for input from the professionals to be regulated . Part of the meeting will be set aside for discussion to garner our input. 

Ms. Brim is circulating six questions about which she is seeking answers from the professionals to be impacted by this regulatory initiative. She would appreciate input sent directly to her. The six questions and her address and e-mail address can be found  below. All psychologists are urged to participate. It is not necessary to wait for the meeting before sending input.

All PSYCHOLOGISTS/OTHER INTERESTED PROFESSIONALS 

ARE INVITED TO JOIN US AT THIS MEETING.

This meeting offers us an unusual opportunity to participate in developing the future of our profession.

While most of these questions suggest that competency will be implemented, we note that question #4 also suggests an interest in feedback about the desirability of or need for further regulation of psychology, whether in the form of demonstration of “competency,” MCE, or any other alternative. In speaking with Ms. Brim, she made it clear to me that the inclusion of psychology in this pilot project came at the request of individuals from the psychology profession not by initiative of  The Department of Community Health  and that psychologists must turn to each other for resolution of differences of opinion about this inclusion.

Continuing Competency Questions for Psychologists

1) What is the definition of “competency” from a psychologist’s perspective?

2) As a psychologist, how do you know if someone is competent in his or her particular field of psychology?

3) Why is there a need for continuing competency in the field of psychology?

4) Should continuing competency be mandatory for fully licensed and limited license psychologists?

5) What key areas should be covered in continuing competency?

6) What’s the best approach to do continuing competency?

Melanie B. Brim
Director, Bureau of Health Professions

(517) 373-8068
Fax: (517) 241-3082

Email: mbbrim@michigan.gov