Re[2]: What's It Worth?

[Robert Owen <Robert_Owen@health.ohio.gov>]

If this was so easy to obtain, then the HPS membership list and the list of
certified HPs would be synonymous.  I haven't talked to any certified HP yet,
who felt the certification exams were easy.  It became "easier" (though still
a hurdle to overcome) after MUCH study.  If this was a "breeze" for you, then 
let me congratulate you on being the first.  

I don't disagree with you on the progression toward some form of licensure or
certification.  However, I am not aware of other professions perpetuating the
fail rates associated with the CHP exams.  The argument I have always heard 
was that the certifications exams were not intended to be a job qualifier, 
rather as a tool to measure one's own level of knowledge.  I admit it has
gone well beyond that.  If it is now the intent of the HPS to allign itself 
with the desires of industry, then it behooves the society to relook the 
process to enable its own membership to move in the selfsame direction.  When 
a vast majority of a profession are not certified, given that a process is 
in place, then there is something wrong with the process.


Bob Owen
robert_owen@health.ohio.gov
"No disclaimer offered!"


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: What's It Worth?
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at Internet
Date:    6/21/96 8:32 AM


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