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Re: the health physics profession
You're right; I don't know of any CHP's who are competent in all aspects of
health physics. However, one of the requirements for becoming a CHP (in
addition to the exam) is to subscribe to the "Standards of Professional
Responsibility for CHPs." This includes the requirement that, "The CHP shall
practice only in areas of his/her expertise."
As part (not the only part) of my program to assure personal compliance: (1)
When I make general comments on Radsafe or similar forums, I do not represent
myself as a diplomate. I only use the CHP designation when I am willing to put
my professional reputation on the line. (2) I avoid providing advice that would
facilitate an individual in fulfilling hp responsibilities for which he/she is
not qualified.
The opinions expressed are strictly mine.
It's not about dose, it's about trust.
Curies forever.
Bill Lipton
liptonw@dteenergy.com
John Johnson wrote:
> Bill, Mike and other radsafers
>
> I agree that this is an "appropriate" discussion for this listserver.
>
> My two cents; it has always bugged me that a PE or CHP is considered to be
> "qualified" but they can't be experts in all aspects of their profession.
> When I was a manager, I would always assign tasks to the most qualified
> professional available, regardless of what organization had "awarded" them a
> "title".
>
> Have a nice day:)!
>
> _______________________
> John R Johnson, PhD
> idias@interchange.ubc.ca
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "William V Lipton" <liptonw@DTEENERGY.COM>
> To: "Michael G. Stabin" <michael.g.stabin@vanderbilt.edu>
> Cc: <radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 6:01 AM
> Subject: Re: the health physics profession
>
> > Yes, there is some question, in my mind, whether health physics is a
> > profession. Radsafe is probably a good place to discuss this.
> >
> > To me, to be called a "profession," a line of work must meet 3 criteria:
> >
> > (1) It must be for the public good, i.e., organized crime is not a
> profession.
> > I think we're ok, here; although, as you mentioned, I have some doubt
> about the
> > public good of spending megabucks saving people from femtodoses.
> >
> > (2) It must have an established body of knowledge and skills that must be
> > mastered to be recognized as a member of the profession. I'm not so sure,
> > here. You said that, "...how can you say that the health physics
> profession has
> > not established nor practices enforcement of any professional standards?
> This is
> > clearly an untenable position." OK, you got me. Where are these
> standards
> > published? How are they enforced? Meaning nothing personal against the
> person
> > who started all of this, if his licensing document is accepted by the NRC,
> they
> > are essentially saying that anyone who calls himself a hp is recognized as
> one.
> > I hate to get the government even more involved in this, but maybe we need
> > either formal licensing or at least, official recognition of some other
> > standard. For example, under RCRA, the design and construction of a
> "Treatment
> > Storage and Disposal Facility" must be approved by a Licensed Professional
> > Engineer.
> >
> > 3. When a member of the profession makes a professional determination, it
> can
> > only be credibly disputed by another recognized member of the profession.
> For
> > example, if you want to sue a physician for malpractice, you have to get
> the
> > support of another physician. Here, we fail miserably. It seems that
> anyone
> > who's ever been within a mile of a geiger counter is accepted as a hp.
> >
> > Is this "untenable?"
> >
> > The opinions expressed are strictly mine.
> > It's not about dose, it's about trust.
> > Curies forever.
> >
> > Bill Lipton
> > liptonw@dteenergy.com
> >
> > "Michael G. Stabin" wrote:
> >
> > > > On a more serious note, this issue illustrates a fundamental flaw in
> the
> > > health
> > > > physics "profession;" our failure to establish and enforce
> professional
> > > > standards.
> > >
> > > Aside from the other negative comments directed towards other
> listmembers in
> > > this email, which I will not address again, this sentence baffles me.
> First,
> > > by the use of quotation marks, are you questioning the professionalism
> of
> > > anyone who calls themselves a health physicist? And how can you say that
> the
> > > health physics profession has not established nor practices enforcement
> of
> > > any professional standards? This is clearly an untenable position.
> > >
> > > I would argue that a more important fundamental personality flaw we
> struggle
> > > with is the tendency to scare those outside the profession about
> > > femtosievert doses to justify making money by studying and controlling
> > > trivial or nonexistent risks.
> > >
> > > Mike
> > >
> > > Michael G. Stabin, PhD, CHP
> > > Assistant Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences
> > > Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences
> > > Vanderbilt University
> > > 1161 21st Avenue South
> > > Nashville, TN 37232-2675
> > > Phone (615) 343-0068
> > > Fax (615) 322-3764
> > > Pager (615) 835-5153
> > > e-mail michael.g.stabin@vanderbilt.edu
> > > internet www.doseinfo-radar.com
> > >
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> >
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