About the OPA
Business Plan / Strategic Direction
Business Plan and Strategic Direction
Background
In 1995 a steering committee of paramedics began the ambitious task of creating the legal and administrative structure for the Ontario Paramedic Association. Soon after, the Ontario Paramedic Association (OPA) was established as a registered “not for profit” professional organization representing paramedics across Ontario. In 2002 at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the OPA a five (5) year business plan was created to state the goals and direction of the OPA. The following directions were taken as a result of that plan:
To promote the highest standards of care for our patients;
To represent the professional interests of all Paramedics in Ontario;
To pursue inclusion into the Regulated Health Professionals Act (RHPA)
To assist academic institutions to develop paramedic education, which is relevant, comprehensive and accredited;
To facilitate research and continuing medical education (CME);
To raise public awareness about the role of Paramedics and the different levels of care with each scope;
To take an active role in the development and promotion of programs within the community that serve to reduce and/or prevent injury or illness.
The Business Plan was to be presented at each AGM, along with the progress made during the past year. The goal of the Business Plan is to attract new members by showing strong leadership within the OPA Board of Directors, channelling the energy of the Board, re-establishing a clear focus of the OPA’s goals and creating a forward momentum to achieve those goals.
Moving forward a need has been identified to re-examine the goals and direction of the Association. The OPA will strive to closely align with the mandate of the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC) and the various other Provincial Paramedic Associations across the country.
Mission
To provide leadership and direction to Paramedics on a Provincial level through the pursuance of self-regulation and the promotion of the science of Paramedicine. We serve Paramedics and patients by advocating for the highest ethical, educational, and clinical standards.
Objectives
The strategic plan is a three (3) year plan for the OPA and is designed to provide clear direction for the Board of Directors. Each year at the Annual General Meeting the Board of Directors will report back to the membership on the status of the stated objectives and revise the plan as directed by the membership. The OPA will focus on four (4) main goals, below outlines the direction of the OPA; they are listed in no particular order:
Clinical Excellence
The OPA will lobby the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Community Colleges to adopt the Paramedic Association of Canada’s National Occupation Competency Profile (NOCP) as the minimum standard for education at each given scope of practice.
The OPA will lobby the Ministry of Education and Training to add the Advanced Care Paramedic Program to the list of programs that receive funding from the Provincial Government. With the current costs associated with Advanced Care Paramedic training it is becoming increasingly difficult for Paramedics to return to school and upgrade their skills.
The OPA will take a stronger leadership role in Continuing Medical Education (CME) for Paramedics and future Paramedics. Currently the only CME time put on by the OPA is the Annual Paramedicine Conference. We will attempt to hold quarterly one (1) day CME sessions at various locations across Ontario, education that is current, relevant and interesting. Beyond this the OPA hopes to provide increased opportunities for Paramedic students by offering EMCA/Centralized Testing preparation course.
Public Education and Awareness
The OPA will attempt to use various media formats to better educate the public with respect to Paramedics and the role they play with the health care team.
The OPA will prepare and make available to Chapters presentations that are suitable for children of all ages to be used during school visits.
Pursuit of Self-Regulation
The OPA will take a leadership position in the pursuit of self-regulation. The OPA will form and chair a new work group to better prepare for current referral from the Ministry of Health that is sitting with the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC). The review of the profession by HPRAC is expected to begin early in 2009.
The OPA will strive to educate Paramedics better with respect to the role a College of Paramedics would play and the positive impacts it would have on their chosen profession.
Long Term Financial Stability
The ability of the association to achieve its short and long term goals is directly related to size of the membership, being able to retain current members, and the ability to attract new members. In order to ensure the long-term success of the Association the following recommendations are being made:
That the BOD actively recruit new members through the Community College system in hopes of retaining them as members post graduation;
That a Pre-Authorized Debit system be implemented to offer a more diverse payment plan to the membership, smaller monthly payments may entice more members to join the OPA;
That the BOD look at creating an accountability structure that ensures focus on the mission statement and business plan when any large purchases are made;
Each year at the AGM the BOD not only presents the previous years balance sheet but also gains approval from the membership of an Operating budget for the following year;
That the website be rebuilt allowing for the OPA to manage membership resources from the website and the addition of a communication tool to allow for greater information sharing between the OPA and its Chapters.
Conclusion
Throughout the implementation of the strategic plan the OPA hopes to build better relationships with various stakeholders. A stronger bond with AMEMSO, EMSCC, and the MOHLTC is a win-win situation for paramedics. Each year at the AGM of the OPA the strategic plan will be revisited and revised as needed.