Membership

Reason for joining TBCCT

  • We offer membership to practitioners and therapists running their business both in UK and overseas.
  • We accept British and overseas qualifications.
  • We provide practitioners and therapist with membership which covers one or more complementary therapies
  • We promote communication between practitioners/therapists by creating international professional network
  • No CPD points system (we encourage professional development but we do not require to collect CPD points as long as practitioner/therapist meets the standards and membership criteria).
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    Benefits of being a registered member of TBCCT

    At the BCCT we work with practitioners of holistic therapies to promote their needs and to build an international communication network.

    If you are a practitioner then you will be able to join our family. TBCCT is the only organisation that accepts both British and overseas qualifications.

    All complimentary medicine practitioners can join the BCCT free of charge.

    Becoming part of an internationally recognised professional body,
    • Being listed in TBCCT Directory of Practitioners, which is available on TBCCT website,
    • Access to information about CPD courses, lectures, conferences and seminars,
    • Access to a forum where members can exchange information and share their experiences with each other,
    • Use of the TBCCT website to post adverts if they wish to buy or sell equipment or books, look for a job or post any job offers,
    • Access to our Code of Conduct and Safe Practice; high standards encapsulated in our Code of Conduct and Code of Safe Practice protects you and your patients,
    • Use of the MTBCCT suffix after your name and use of the Member logo on your website and promotional materials.
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    Criteria for Therapist Register Membership

    In order to be admitted to TBCCT as a Full Member applicant needs to meet certain criteria:
    • We expect applicant has completed a program of education and training, which meets the National Occupational Standards for the complementary therapy/therapies practised (where NOS has been agreed); or
    • Applicant has achieved competency to the level of National Occupational Standards for therapy/therapies concerned by relevant experience and training.
    Other criteria to be met by applicant:
    • Practitioner/therapist holds current professional indemnity insurance (UK and countries, where such insurance is a legal requirement),
    • Does not hold criminal record (if applicant has any criminal record, TBCCT must be informed before the membership is accepted; this information must be included in an application form),
    • Practitioner/therapist who applies for Full membership does not have health issues which can have negative impact on their ability to practice (if such health issues exist, applicant must inform TBCCT before membership is accepted),
    • Practitioner/Therapist has not been a subject of any disciplinary or civil proceedings against him/her in relation to the practice (if applicant was subject to such proceedings he/she must inform TBCCT before membership is granted, this information must be included in the application form),
    • Practitioner/Therapist agrees to abide by:
      • TBCCT Code of Conduct
      • TBCCT Code of Safe Practice
      • TBCCT Data Protection Policy
    It is a legal requirement in UK for those running healthcare practice to attend First Aid course and have valid certificate confirming basic skills in First Aid. We accept applicants who do not have such training yet but expect practitioner/therapist to enrol on one if in active practice.

    If applicant is from the country where First Aid certificate is a legal requirement to practice complementary therapy, therapist/practitioners is expected to possess such certificate or enrol on the course to obtain basic skills and knowledge to administer First Aid in emergency situation.

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    Categories of Membership:

    Full Membership UK - MTBCCT
    • Fully qualified complementary practitioners/therapists, practising in UK, fully insured and on the Register of Practitioners.

    Full Membership International - MITBCCT - Fully qualified complementary practitioners/therapists, practising overseas, fully insured (obligatory for the Member if this is legal requirement in their country of practice) and on the Register of Practitioners.

    Associate Member - TBCCT (Assoc.) - Member who has no proper qualifications in any complementary therapy and do not work with patients/clients in this field.

    Fellow Member - FTBCCT
    • Full Member who has made a significant contribution towards particular therapy, or
    • Full Member who has provided exceptional service to the BCCT
    • Membership by invitation only
    Honorary Fellow Member - TBCCT (Hon.)
    • Person of any profession who is not a Full Member of the BCCT but has made a significant contribution towards particular therapy
    • Who has provided exceptional service to the BCCT
    • Membership by invitation only
    Student Member - TBCCT (Stud.)
    • Any student enrolled on a complementary therapy course (leading to professional qualifications), whose intent is to become a Full Member.
    Note:
  • Any students who wish to carry out clinical practice before graduation may only do so if the College/School of education they study with has given them permission for such practical training. In addition student’s College/School takes full responsibility for the student themselves and their insurance status.
  • Corporate Membership - For organisations wishing to support the BCCT or to be associated with the BCCT.

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    TBCCT Code of Conduct

    Introduction

    This document has been established by the British Council for Complementary Therapies to represent the views of the TBCCT and set out the expected standards for the safe and effective practice of complementary therapies. All Members registered with TBCCT are expected to meet the requirements of this Code of Conduct and also the Code of Safe Practice (which is a separate document).

    Failure to follow the standards in this document will result in a breach of the British Council for Complementary Therapies Code of Professional Conduct and can lead to disciplinary action. However this Code is created as guidance and cannot list all possible situations and issues that can arise during the time of your practice; if you have any concerns interpreting or applying this Code you are strongly advised to consult TBCCT.

    It is the responsibility of every Member of the British Council for Complementary Therapies to read and familiarise themselves with TBCCT Code of Conduct. In the event that English is not a first language and a member has difficulties understanding this document, it is TBCCT member’s responsibility (at their own expense) to use a translator to ensure they do understand both Codes.

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    Professional relationships;

    In relation to a patient -
      You have duty of care towards the service users: -
    • to maintain high standards of care, competency and professional conduct;
    • to behave with honesty, integrity and respect (towards patients, other practitioners and other members of the public);
    • to make a patient’s health the main priority, and to protect their well-being;
    • to explain your diagnosis and suggested treatment and procedures;
    • to not discriminate against the patient on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, age or marital status;
    • to assess any condition thoroughly, with appropriate examination and investigation;
    • to make a referral if necessary to other health professionals and encourage the patient to promptly seek other forms of treatment;
    • to act promptly in relation to a patient’s complaints and to keep the records of such complaints and any action taken;
    • to not treat patients who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances
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    Fees

    • to ensure that the fee structure is clearly displayed in the clinic or treatment room;
    • to make sure the patient accepts it before the treatment is carried out.
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    Inappropriate conduct towards a patient

    You have an obligation -
    • to ensure that your behaviour in relation to the patient is professional at all times and not to abuse or exploit your relationship with them;
    • to protect the patient’s dignity and modesty and to give them privacy to undress/dress and not leave them exposed any longer than is necessary;
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    Patient’s consent

    When treating the patient -
    • you must always seek the patient’s consent before proceeding with any treatment and procedures;
    • the patient can withdraw their consent during the treatment and you must not continue
    Consent of minors and persons with learning difficulties -
    • When treating a person under the age of 16 you must always seek the consent of a parent or legal guardian who must be present in the treatment room;
    When offering the treatment to a person with learning difficulties or a person lacking capacity -
    • you must always seek the consent of a legal guardian who should be present in the treatment room;
    • you are advised to seek the consent of the patient before a treatment
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    Confidentiality

    It is vital to obey the rules of confidentiality. You are required to -
    • ensure that all information concerning your patients is strictly confidential;
    • not pass on the information to anyone, even next-of-kin, unless you inform the patient about it and obtain their consent (unless they are below 16 or lack capacity);
    • never use the information gained about a patient for different purposes to treatment;
    • comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 at all times
    See the links below for details -
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    Disclosure without consent

    All Registrants need to be aware of certain situations when the disclosure of confidential information may be expected from them. It might be necessary to disclose or process confidential information without consent in specific situations, such as:
    • to protect the individual’s ‘vital interests’ (this condition only applies in cases of life or death, such as where an individual’s medical history is disclosed to a hospital’s A&E department)
    • for administering justice, or for exercising statutory, governmental, or other public functions;
    • the processing is in accordance with the ‘legitimate interests’ condition
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    In relation to professional colleagues

    It is important you maintain a good professional relationship with your colleagues and other professionals. You must follow the ethical rules such as –
    • if other practitioners are involved in providing a service to the same patient, you must communicate effectively with them to ensure the patient’s best interest are served;
    • you must act with respect and integrity and must not criticise the views of other healthcare practitioners
    • In situations when you suspect or have the evidence indicating that your professional colleague’s or other TBCCT member’s conduct or competence present a threat to the patient’s interest or safety, you must act in order to protect them and if necessary, report your concerns to the British Council for Complementary Therapies. If you wish to do this you should follow TBCCT Complaint Procedures.
    • If the evidence of a practitioner’s misconduct is obtained from a patient you must always seek that person’s consent before passing on the information.
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    Records

    As a healthcare practitioner you are required to keep up to date, accurate and comprehensive patient’s records;
    They must contain :
    • The patients full name, address, telephone number and date of birth
    • the presenting complaints and symptoms reported by the patient
    • your clinical findings and diagnosis
    • the description of any treatment given and progress of the case, information about any herbal medicine given to the patient
    • the records of the patient's consent to the treatment, or the consent of their next-of-kin or a legal guardian
    Also you should include:
    • any information and advice given to the patient and the treatment planned
    • any relevant medical and family history
    • any known allergies, adverse or unusual reactions to the treatment
    • any decisions made regarding the patient
    You must also ensure that adequate records of adult treatments are kept for seven years, or as long as your insurer requires you to do so. In the case of minors their records must be kept until the patient reaches the age of twenty-five. This applies even when you have referred the patient on, or you have left the practice where you administered the treatment.
    • to comply with the rules and regulations set in the Data Protection Act 1998 at all times in regards to storing, processing and destroying of your patient’s personal records;
    • not to use information gained about your patient in any other way than is necessary for their treatment;
    • not to use information gained about your patient for the purpose of your personal or professional benefit.
    In the event of patient requesting access to their case records, you should produce a copy of the notes but retain the originals. If a UK citizen you must act in a way that observes the procedure laid out in the Data Protection Act 1998 www.legislation.gov.uk. The Act is complex and a summary of it can be found online www.ico.org.uk. Any UK members moving outside the European Economic Area need to be aware personal data must not be transferred to a country unless it has an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects.

    Non UK members must ensure they comply with the relevant data protection legislation in their country.

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    Standards of personal and professional ethics

    As a complementary therapy practitioner –
    • you must not act in any way which harms your reputation or the reputation of the complementary therapy you practice;
    • you must not mislead, directly or indirectly, the patients in any aspect of the service provided;
    • you must undertake continuing professional development;
    • you must always stay in your scope of practice and not attempt treatments you are not qualified in;
    • you must report to TBCCT, if you were ever charged or/and convicted with an offence such as:
    sexual offence, violence, alcohol or drug abuse
    • you must provide TBCCT with information about your conduct, if this is requested of you;
    • you must comply with the Code of Safe Practice, established by TBCCT, in relation to the standards of your professional conduct;
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    Advertising and promotional standards

    When advertising –
    • you must ensure that advertising is not misleading, harmful or offensive;
    • you must not make false claims about the success of any treatment you provide, or any remedies you administer, or that you can cure the illness;
    • you must not make claims of superiority or make statements which would disregard other practitioners or professions;
    • you must stay within legal boundaries and comply with requirements of the British Code of Advertising Practice;
    • if in any doubt you can seek more information and advice by going to:
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    Legal requirements

    Practitioners who are members of the British Council for Complementary Therapies must familiarise themselves and comply with any legislation any regulations relevant to the practice of their therapy. If the member practices outside the UK they must familiarise themselves and comply with legislation in the country of practice.

    Members must not use any illegal substances included in the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Restricted Substances List, or any plant or animal products which are on the list of endangered species.

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