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RE: Non-CHPs in the health physics job market - Opportunities arepresent



With all this talk about CHP and non-CHP I find really entertaining.  

 

If you really want to take the exam, "purchase" a degree from Western States

University.  I understand with a resume and approximately $2000 you get a

degree that the AAHP qualifies you as being "educationally" ready to sit.  I

have no doubt that some of those Western Stater's are going to pass the

exam.

 

Just my opinions.

 

Jason

 

 -----Original Message-----

From: Mitchell Davis [mailto:radiation@cox.net]

Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 1:51 PM

To: William V Lipton

Cc: Rob Gunter; Radsafe

Subject: Re: Non-CHPs in the health physics job market - Opportunities

arepresent







Ok folks....Let me elaborate...

 

Let me start by apologizing to Mr. Gunter for apparently misreading or

misinterpreting his original post.  Also let me apologize for the length of

this post but there are several points I want to make.

 

As to Mr. Lipton's assertion that I was whining, I really wasn't.  I was

simply voicing my opinion on a subject I feel strongly about.  If voicing an

opinion on a subject is considered whining, then I believe all individuals

(myself included) who post on this list would have a continuous trail of

tears running down their faces.

 

Next, let me say I meant no disrespect to anyone holding a degree.  I

applaud anyone fortunate enough to succeed in furthering their education.

Perhaps I was not clear in my original post.  As far as the "worthless piece

of paper" comment, I was referring to my own personal situation.  For

individuals who gained their basic health physics knowledge from getting

their BS, I can understand why they hold it in such high regard.  I

personally did not gain my knowledge through that venue.  I have been to

college (through the Thomas Edison program mentioned in one post) and only

need 18-20 hrs to finish.  No coursework that I have been required to take

or any I have left (with the exception of perhaps calculus) has or will

increase my level of knowledge of HP.  I was given credit for those thanks

to my Navy training and my NRRPT.  So for ME it is worthless (with the

exception I would then be "qualified" to sit for the CHP exam).  Why did I

not finish you may ask?  Because things like a mortgage, kids, a hectic

career which required large amounts of travel came along ( and no..I'm not

whining...just listing some reasons why I haven't finished).  I have found

other ways that expand the mind, feeds the soul and broadens ones views and

opinions.  These include experience, training courses provided by employers

and the personal desire to expand my knowledge of HP by taking the

initiative to learn on my own (at my age I don't need an instructor telling

me what I need to learn...I know my strengths, weaknesses and what I like).

I am at a point in my life now where completing my degree is possible.  If

nothing else, I can then sit for the exam and perhaps work on my masters

(there I'll learn something!!).

 

I sat for Part 1 back in 1996 trying to grandfather in before the degree

requirements came into effect.  Due to similar reasons cited above my one

weeks preparation for the exam proved fateful.  I missed passing by 4 points

(guess it was that Chem. 101 I never took that did me in!!).  Regardless, I

feel confidant about my HP knowledge with the results of my exam score and

it was all done with no formal hp education other than that which I

mentioned previously.  For those who assert that my "apparent" lack of

understanding of why I need a degree is a good indication that I do, I say

Hogwash.  For me personally, the only reason I NEED a degree is to become a

CHP.  Period!!

 

I still believe that having a BS does not necessarily a good CHP make.  It

shows an individual has the ability to complete an ordered set or sequence

of steps but does not guarantee their knowledge (believe me I have worked

with too many BSHP grads who didn't even grasp the basics).  IMHO, the

pinnacle success in our profession is obtaining the title of CHP.  How is

that obtained?  By sitting for and successfully completing an exam deemed

appropriate by the ABHP.  If an individual has the necessary experience

requirement and can pass the exam, they should be certified.  Having a BS

degree, again IMHO, in no way shape or form ensures that an individual can

pass.  A few folks that responded to my post are of the opinion that all

things being equal (CHP w/degree vs. CHP w/o degree) that the degree wins

every time.  I disagree strongly.  More and more companies these days (and I

see this everyday) are saying in their posting requirements that the want a

degree but go on to say " or other combination of experience or education".

I think this is what the ABHP should do.  Evaluate each candidate on his/her

OVERALL experience and education.  Having a BS does not make you a

CHP...Passing the exam does!!  As far as litigation support, a CHP is THE

quintessential representative of the HP profession.  His/her undergraduate

history is irrelevant.

 

For those of you who have been able to obtain your BS, MS, Ph.D, JD, etc, I

applaud and congratulate you on a job well done.  You and your friends and

family should be very proud.  All I ask is that you don't blanket discount

those of us not yet (for whatever reason) fortunate enough to match your

accomplishment.  Most of us are trying and we would make some damn good

CHP's in the interim (and no...I'm still not whining).

 

Respectfully,

 

Mitchell W. Davis, RRPT

Health Physicist

915-697-3523

915-349-4824 Cell

radiation@cox.net <mailto:radiation@cox.net> 



----- Original Message ----- 

From: William V  <mailto:liptonw@dteenergy.com> Lipton 

To: Mitchell Davis <mailto:radiation@cox.net>  

Cc: Rob Gunter <mailto:rgunter@SEC-TN.COM>  ; Radsafe

<mailto:radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>  

Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 6:10 AM

Subject: Re: Non-CHPs in the health physics job market - Opportunities

arepresent



If you had one, I doubt you'd consider a college degree "a useless piece of

paper..."  While higher education isn't everything, it's a unique

accomplishment which generally cannot be duplicated "in the trenches..." 



Thinking that you don't need more education is a sure sign that you do. 





Rather than whining, I suggest you go back to school. 





The opinions expressed are strictly mine. 

It's not about dose, it's about trust. 

Curies forever. 





Bill Lipton 

liptonw@dteenergy.com <mailto:liptonw@dteenergy.com>  





Mitchell Davis wrote: 





... I think it is a travesty that these experienced HP's ( of which I am)

with years of on the job experience are not allowed to become CHP's just

because (in most cases) they don't have a useless piece of paper that taught

them nothing about HP hanging on the wall ( no offence to my colleagues who

have this).  Why is it so important that a CHP have a BS degree? ...

Mitchell W. Davis, RRPT 

Health Physicist 

915-697-3523 

915-349-4824 Cell 

radiation@cox.net <mailto:radiation@cox.net>  



-----



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