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, risk-based review (2026) and coaching session |
2026 Assessment Timeline
- July 2025 – Call for volunteers and notice of selection criteria sent to all RDHs.
- August 2025 – Random selection and notice to selected RDHs. Volunteers confirmed.
- October 2025 – All participants asked to confirm their Path choice in the SMILE Portal.
Dates relating to each Path can be found below. View the assessment timeline.
Path 1 – Learning Portfolio + Practice Profile + Coaching
If you choose Path 1, you will complete a Learning Portfolio that details your learning goals and activities completed within the last three years. You will need to report on 25 hours of goal-related learning. If you are currently practising, you 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 must be submitted via the SMILE Portal by June 30, 2026.
Following submission of your Learning Portfolio and Practice Profile, a peer-to-peer conversation will occur by September 2026. 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 reflective conversations about your Learning Portfolio and practice.
Path 2 – QA Test + Practice Profile
If you choose Path 2, you will need to successfully complete the online Written Assessment (QA Test) and, if practising, complete the Practice Profile, both by June 30, 2026. 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. You will be paired with a Peer Coach, who will review your Practice Profile, and you may participate in a coaching conversation.
PATH 3 – QA Test + On-Site Practice Review
If you choose Path 3, you will need to successfully complete the online Written Assessment (QA Test) and participate in an on-site practice visit and discussion by December 31, 2026.
At a mutually agreed upon time, the Peer Coach will visit your practice. You will be given the opportunity to demonstrate that your 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, you 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 responses you make are reviewed by the QA Committee.
Path 4 – Peer Circles + Reflective Summary + Coaching
If you choose Path 4, you 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 one hour and are designed to be a conversation about your experience with the Peer Circle, goal setting and your practice. These are the types of questions you can expect to discuss:
- What were some things you learned in the Peer Circle discussion that will inform your practice in the future?
- How does this connect to your professional development, career goals, or growth as an RDH?
- What are some areas of risk in your practice that you would like to focus on?
If you choose Path 4, you will be emailed in early 2026 to sign up for either the spring or fall cohort. You cannot complete Peer Circles in one cohort and coaching in another.
- If you sign up for the spring cohort, your Peer Circles and coaching sessions will occur from March to May 2026 (exact dates will be confirmed)
- If you sign up for the fall cohort, your Peer Circles and coaching sessions will occur from September to November 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed)
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.
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!