Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board
Your Assurance of Competent, Ethical Health Care
Looking Out For You
If You Have a Problem
What the Regulatory Organization Can Do
Making a Complaint
Registration: Your Protection
B.C. Health Regulatory Organizations
When you put yourself in the hands of a health care professional, you are entitled to competent and ethical treatment. Usually, that is exactly what you get. There may be times, however, when you think that professional standards are not being met. Here are some things you can do if that happens.
Looking out for You
In British Columbia, virtually all health care professionals are accountable to a regulatory college, board or association. These organizations are responsible, under provincial legislation, for "serving and protecting the public." They do this by ensuring that their members are qualified and follow clearly defined standards of ethics and practice, and that they keep their members up-to-date on new developments in professional practice. The organizations also act when it appears that one of their members is practising in a manner that is incompetent, unethical or impaired by alcohol, drugs or a mental illness.
This public service and protection is provided by the professions themselves. The public is directly involved through government-appointed representatives on the organizations' boards of directors. The organizations also make regular reports to the provincial government.
If You Have a Problem
If you are concerned about the conduct of a health care professional, the first thing you should consider is talking the problem over with him or her; difficulties often result from misunderstandings or poor communications. If you are still not satisfied, and the professional works for an agency such as a hospital, you may wish to speak to the person in charge at the agency. If there is no agency involved, or if it cannot help with your problem, you can contact the appropriate regulatory body listed in this pamphlet. This organization can give you information on the standards you can expect in the delivery of care and what can be done if they are not met.
What the Regulatory Organization Can Do
The regulatory organization can take action after it receives a complaint about one of its members. This involves a thorough investigation and, if warranted, a formal inquiry into the member's conduct. If the professional is found to have behaved improperly, the organization may issue a reprimand, require a supervised program of help, or suspend or terminate his or her authority to practice. Some organizations may also levy a fine. They do not have the authority to order compensation for any harm that may have been done or to direct how an agency supervises or disciplines a professional employed by it.
Making a Complaint
If you think you want to make a formal complaint, talk to the people at one of the regulatory organizations listed in this brochure. They can advise you what to do. You may be asked to put your complaint in writing and give the name of the professional, where he or she works, details of the specific actions being complained about, and provide any available supporting documents. You should also identify yourself so that the matter can be thoroughly investigated. If you are not satisfied with the actions taken by the regulatory organization, you may be able to appeal them through various channels including the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Ombudsman.
Registration: Your Protection
The right to use a professional title is controlled by provincial law and requires membership in a regulatory organization. This membership indicates that a health professional has the basic educational preparation required to practice competently and that he or she subscribes to established standards of practice and ethics. You can find out if the person caring for you is a member in good standing of his or her profession by calling the organization for that profession listed here.
These are the organizations to which British Columbia health care professionals are accountable. They can give you information about the standards you can expect in the delivery of care and what you can do if you believe these standards are not being met.
B.C. College of Chiropractors
125 -3751 Shell Road
Richmond, B.C. V6X 2W2
(604) 270-1332
http://www.bcchiro.com/bccc/
College of Dental Hygienists of B.C.
219 Yarrow Building
645 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C. V8W 1G2
(250) 383-4101
http://www.cdhbc.com/
College of Dental Surgeons of B.C.
500 - 1765 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 5C6
(604) 736-3621
http://www.cdsbc.org/
College of Dental Technicians of B.C.
1100-1200 West 73rd Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V6P 6G5
(604) 267-3027
http://www.cdt.bc.ca/
College of Denturists of B.C.
305 - 321 6th Street
New Westminster, B.C. V3L 3A7
(604) 515-0533
http://www.cd.bc.ca
Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board
PO Box 9625 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9P1
(250) 952-4203
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/ema/index.html
Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Consultants
5th Floor - 1515 Blanshard Street
Victoria, B.C. V8W 3C8
(250) 952-1502
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of B.C.
217 - 3823 Henning Drive
Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6P3
(604) 660-5750
1-888-440-6900
http://www.clpn.bc.ca/
College of Massage Therapists of B.C.
103 - 1089 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C. V6H 1E5
(604) 736-3404
1-877-321-3404
http://www.cmtbc.bc.ca/
College of Midwives of B.C.
F503 - 4500 Oak Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3N1
(604) 875-3580
http://www.cmbc.bc.ca/
College of Naturopathic Physicians of B.C.
1698 West 6th Street
Vancouver B.C. V6J 5G4
(604) 688-8236
http://www.cnpbc.bc.ca/
College of Occupational Therapists of B.C.
219 - Yarrow Building
645 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C. V8W 1G2
(250) 386-6822
866-386-6822
info@cotbc.org
http://www.cotbc.org/
College of Opticians of B.C.
130 - 10691 Shellbridge Way
Richmond, B.C. V6X 2W8
(604) 278-7510
1-888-771-6755
Board of Examiners in Optometry Province of British Columbia
501 - 1111 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6E 2J3
(604) 623-3464
http://www.optometrybc.com/
College of Pharmacists of B.C.
200 - 1765 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 5C6
(604) 733-2440
1-800-663-1940
info@bcpharmacists.org
http://www.bcpharmacists.org/
College of Physical Therapists of B.C.
302 - 1765 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 5C6
(604)730-9193
info@cptbc.org
College of Physicians & Surgeons of B.C.
1807 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 2A9
(604) 733-7758
1-800-461-3008
http://www.cpsbc.ca/
B.C. Association of Podiatrists
1400-1500 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6G 2Z6
(604) 602-0400
1-866-611-3338
http://www.bcchiro.com/bcca/
College of Psychologists of B.C.
404 - 1755 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 4S5
(604) 736-6164
1-800-665-0979
http://www.collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca/home.cfm
Registered Nurses Association of B.C.
2855 Arbutus Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 3Y8
(604) 736-7331
1-800-565-6505
http://www.rnabc.bc.ca/
Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of B.C.
251 - 3041 Anson Avenue
Coquitlam, B.C. V3B 2H6
(604) 944-4941
1-800-565-2505
http://www.crpnbc.bc.ca/
Board of Registration for Social Workers
302 1765 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 5C6
(604) 737-4916
http://www.brsw.bc.ca/
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