| DESCRIPTION: |
An Employee Assistance Professional (herein referred to as EA Professional) is a person who meets the minimum requirements to perform EA specialised functions including therapeutic services. The EA Professional provides clinical therapeutic services to employees and their immediate family members. The EA Professional guides the client to develop a plan of action in order to address their personal or work related problems. It is the core function of the EA Professional to maintain high confidentiality of clients' records.
The EA professional often specialize in EA Programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Other specialised functions includes marketing, supervisory training, and workshops on EAP or related services.
Some of the Employee Assistance Services, among others, that the EA Professional renders are to:
Conduct clinical assessment and provide diagnosis.
Develop treatment plan and offer therapeutic services.
Conduct individual and organisational needs assessment/profiling.
Establishment of an advisory committee.
Develop EAP strategies, policies and procedure guidelines.
Develop EAP implementation plan and monitor the implementation of the programme.
Conduct the EAP educational workshops.
Marketing the Employee Assistance Services within the organisation.
Training of supervisors on EAP.
Compile monthly, quarterly and annual progress report.
Coordinate the evaluation of EAP programmes and services.
Conduct impact studies. |
| AWARDING CRITERIA |
| For the Professional Designation to be awarded, professionals must comply with the following minimum requirements: |
| Underlying Registered Qualification or Part Qualification: |
| The educational qualifications shall include a Honours degree in Behavioural/Social Science or equivalent. This is an advanced grade into the EA profession clearly marked by at least (5) years working experience in the relevant field. Registration with the statutory councils (SACSSP, HPCSA or SANC) is a requirement. Certification by other accredited councils or professional board may also serve as an advantage. This level may be equivalent to NQF Level 08 in terms of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) qualification framework. |
| Experiential Learning or Experience |
| At least five (5) years of EAP related experience. |
| Competency Assessment |
| To be developed (Optional). |
| Designation RPL Statement |
| This Designation may be awarded through Recognition of Prior Learning. |
| RETAINING CRITERIA |
| In order to ensure the currency of professional knowledge and to retain the Professional Designation, the professional must comply with the following minimum requirements: |
| Code of Conduct |
| Members must adhere to the Professional Body Codes of Conduct and Ethics. |
| Continuing Professional Development (CPD) |
Members are required to provide proof to EAPA-SA CPD Committee of their CPD activities. Members are required to accumulate at least 20 CPD points per annum by completing a range of accredited activities such as:
Attendance at workshops, seminars, group discussions, conference, Information sharing sessions, and EAPA-SA Chapter Activities.
Giving presentations to inside and outside groups.
Running workshops.
Writing articles for in-house and general publications.
All the above activities shall be accredited by a recognised professional body. The EAPA-SA CPD Committee shall ensures that CPD activities and EA Professional certification requirements are well coordinated. |
| Fees |
| Ensure that the annual membership fee is paid. |
