Re: What's It Worth?

["CAPT Jerry A. Thomas, MSC, USN" <thomas@bob.usuf2.usuhs.mil>]

For the purposes of generating more discussion on this topic, I am going to
be the devil's advocate for a few minutes.

In the following discussion the assumption is made that the non-CHP if fully
qualified and is performing the job in a professional and knowledgeable
manner.  That may not be the case.  The employer may be taking the
opportunity afforded by down sizing to apply the appropriate criteria for
the position and require the requisite training, experience and
certifications.  Just because one has been doing a job does not mean that
he/she is fully qualified to do the job.  Many times the employer wants more
out of the position than the person filling the position is willing and/or
qualified to provide.  Thus, the requirement for specific degrees and
certifications.

My general sense is that certifications and licensure will become MANDATORY
in the future.  We see this in the medical and engineering fields at the
present time.  I am sure it will also happen in Health Physics.  For those
who choose to NOT demonstrate their competence by taking a certification
examination and/or becoming licensed to provide specific services, I guess
that it may well be time for them to move on.  These are strong words,
however, if one is fully qualified to do Health Physics and is doing a
competent job then certification should be rather easy to obtain.

JERRY THOMAS



At 16:36 6/19/96 -0500, you wrote:
>Interesting viewpoints that raise a couple of disturbing issues:
>
>If the career field is diminishing to the point that CHP after your name may
>be necessary to get a job at all or to be considered for a promotion, is
>one's time and efforts better placed in obtaining certification or preparing
>for a different career? If the availability of jobs has shrunk to the point
>that employers can require certification for all positions or for any
>meaningful promotion, it is time for HPs to seek employment in other
>professions.
>
>Also, if I worked for an employer for some extended period of time in a few
>Health Physics positions, and then found myself identified as unqualified to
>apply for my old job because I lack a degree in a single specific subject or
>board certification, and both of these were adopted as qualification
>criteria after I had occupied the job successfully for some time, I'd make
>an interesting lawsuit and/or grievance before giving up. Establishing new
>minimum credentials not previously required of incumbents in order to
>disqualify incumbents has gotten Federal agencies in trouble in the past,
>and probably wouldn't be viewed with any higher regard now.
>
>Bob Flood
>Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are mine alone.
>(415) 926-3793
>bflood@slac.stanford.edu
>
>
>

CAPT Jerry A. Thomas,  MSC, USN
Chief Radiological Physics
Department of Radiology/Nuclear Medicine
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Bethesda, MD  20814-4799

mailto:thomas@bob.usuf2.usuhs.mil
Phone:   (301) 295-3246
Fax:        (301) 295-3893