Credentialing and defining the scope of clinical practice

• WA Policy on Credentialing and Defining the Scope of Clinical Practice for Medical Practitioners (2nd Edition) (PDF)
• Resources:

• Fact Sheet 1 - Overview (PDF 125KB)
• Fact Sheet 2 – Changes to the Policy (PDF 122KB)
• Fact Sheet 3 – The Credentialing Steps (PDF 133KB)
• Fact Sheet 4 – Employment & Credentialing of Australian Doctors (PDF 121KB)
• Fact Sheet 5 – Employment & Credentialing of IMGs (PDF 128KB)
• Fact Sheet 6 – Appeals Process (PDF 123KB)
• Fact Sheet 7 – Interpretive Guide to Implementing Section 12 of Credentialing policy (PDF 141KB)

What is credentialing?

Credentialing is the formal process used to verify the qualifications, experience and professional standing of medical practitioners for the purpose of forming a view about their competence, performance and professional suitability to provide safe, high quality health care services within specific organisational environments.

Examples of evidence used to credential medical practitioners include:

• qualifications
• registration with the Medical Board of WA
• references
• criminal record check

Introduction

The Policy for Credentialing and Defining the Scope of Clinical Practice for Medical has been updated and re-issued. 

What has changed?

The following sections of the Credentialing Policy have been expanded and/or amended:

• Section 2.2 – to identify which groups of medical practitioners must be credentialed
• Section 3.1 - procedures to be followed for credentialing a medical practitioner
• Section 3.2 - procedures to be followed for defining a medical practitioner’s scope of clinical practice
• Section 4.2.1 – the pathway for recruitment, selection, appointment, engagement and credentialing of Australian/New Zealand trained medical practitioners
• Section 4.2.2 – the pathway for recruitment, selection, appointment, engagement and credentialing of International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

Who does the Credentialing Policy apply to ?

The Credentialing Policy applies to all independent medical practitioners practising in public health care facilities in Western Australia, and includes:

• Consultants/Specialists
• Health Service Medical Practitioners
• Senior Medical Practitioners
• Clinical Academics
• Senior Registrars/Fellows who have conditional registration with the Medical Board of WA
• Vocational Registered General Practitioners seeking admitting rights to a public health facility
• Unsupervised Overseas Trained Doctors, unsupervised International Medical Graduates (IMGs), and unsupervised Overseas Trained Specialists (OTS)
• Medical Practitioners with a right of private practice in a public hospital
• Medical Practitioners undergoing a supervised clinical assessment prior work in rural Hospitals/Health Services
• Medical Practitioners providing telehealth services
• Private Medical Practitioners providing care to residents of publicly operated residential care facilities, nursing homes or Multi-Purpose Sites
• Medical Administrators and Non-Specialist Qualified Medical Administrators who may have direct patient contact or provide clinical services.

The Credentialing Policy does not apply to Interns (PGY 1s), Resident Medical Officers (PGY2, PGY3), Registrars (PGY3+), Senior Registrars and Fellows enrolled in a recognised training program or working under supervision in a WA hospital.

Who to contact for further information?

• The Director of Medical Services at your Hospital/Health Service
• Safety and Quality in Healthcare

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