Each year, a percentage of RDHs are selected to participate in Peer and Practice Assessment based on criteria determined by the Quality Assurance Committee.
RDHs who are selected can choose from one of four Paths to participate in the assessment:
| Path 1 | Path 2 | Path 3 | Path 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Assessment | Self-Assessment | Self-Assessment | Self-Assessment |
| Learning Portfolio and peer-to-peer learning conversation | Written assessment (QA test) | Written assessment (QA test) | Peer Circle activity 1, written reflection, and coaching session |
| Practice Profile | Practice Profile | On-site practice review | Peer Circle activity 2, written reflection, and coaching session |
Path 1 – Learning Portfolio + Practice Profile + Coaching
RDHs who choose Path 1 will complete a Learning Portfolio that details their learning goals and activities completed between January 2022 and June 30, 2025. RDHs will need to report on 25 hours of goal-related learning. This is less than RDHs have been asked to submit in the past; we are revising the process and want to start with a reduced number of hours so that the focus is on reflection and conversation about learning activities, rather than just the number of hours. RDHs who are currently practising will also complete the Practice Profile. The SMILE Portal guides you in completing the Practice Profile, and you are prompted to submit a separate one for each type of practice setting you’ve entered.
The completed Learning Portfolio and Practice Profile can be submitted via the SMILE Portal any time between January 1 and June 30, 2025.
Following the submission of the Learning Portfolio and Practice Profile, a peer-to-peer conversation focusing on experiences with the Learning Portfolio and learning activities will occur by December 31, 2025. We will match you with a Peer Coach and an online, one-on-one discussion will be scheduled, based on your availability. All Peer Coaches are practising RDHs who have been trained to facilitate the reflective Learning Portfolio conversation.
Path 2 – QA Test + Practice Profile
RDHs who choose Path 2 will need to successfully complete the online Written Assessment (QA Test) and, if practising, complete the Practice Profile, all by December 31, 2025. The SMILE Portal guides you in completing the Practice Profile, and you are prompted to submit a separate one for each type of practice setting you’ve entered.
PATH 3 – QA Test + On-Site Practice Review
RDHs who choose Path 3 will need to successfully complete the online Written Assessment (QA Test) and participate in an on-site practice review by December 31, 2025.
The on-site review allows RDHs to demonstrate their skills and judgement in the practice setting. At a mutually agreed upon time, the Peer Coach will visit the RDH. During this visit and conversation, RDHs are given the opportunity to demonstrate that their work environment and practices comply with the Standards of Practice and that infection control and record keeping practices are consistent with current guidelines and regulations. For details on the areas reviewed during an on-site review, please refer to pages 36-40 of the QA Policies and Procedures Manual.
Following the on-site visit, RDHs will receive a copy of the Coach’s report. You will have an opportunity to review the report and respond to it in writing before the QA Committee makes any decisions. Both the Coach’s report and any RDH responses are reviewed by the QA Committee.
Path 4 – Peer Circles + Coaching + Reflective Summary
RDHs who choose Path 4 will be assigned to an online Peer Circle discussion group of 8 – 10 RDHs. This group will be together for both Peer Circle discussions.
The group will be led by a trained RDH facilitator who will guide the discussion. Following each Peer Circle, you will submit a one-page written reflection and then attend an online, one-on-one discussion with the group facilitator. The discussions will be no more than 60 minutes long and are designed to be a conversation about your experience with the Peer Circle, goal setting and your practice. They are not an examination. These are the types of questions you can expect to discuss:
- What were some of the things you learned from the Peer Circle discussion?
- What were some things you learned in the discussion that will inform your practice in the future?
- What are some areas of risk in your practice that you would like to focus on?
As much as possible, Peer Circles will be arranged based on your availability. One-on-one coaching sessions will be scheduled one to three weeks after the Peer Circle. We will aim to have all Peer Circles and coaching completed by December 31, 2025.
Please note that optional Peer Circle events will not count towards the new Path 4 because these events do not include the coaching component. You can, however, use the time spent in optional Peer Circles for your Learning Portfolio!
Wondering what to expect from Peer Circles? Check out the videos below!