Re: The H. P. Profession

["Jean-Francois, Stephane" <stephane_jeanfrancois@merck.com>]

I think we are getting a little bit far from RADSAFE but let me add to
the discussion:

Let's not confuse the experience, professionnal abilities with "reserved
titles", (I'm not sure if this is the correct legal word). In Canada, a
person who presents himself or herself as an "Engineer or P. Engineer"
should be registered and should be a member of a specific Order. To be a
member of that Order, you need :

1.A degree in a related field + experience+  examination
2. Experience + extended examination (the examination is more in depth)

A person who claim on a businees card to be an engineer can be
prosecuted if that person is NOT a member of an Engineer order. (It is
worst if that person also ACT as an engineer)

But yes, a person can be called "Engineer" without having a Engineering
degree, if that person can sucessfully pass the examination step (and I
would find it very suprising to see a botanist	pass the exam without
heavy studying and adequate related  experience.  Now I leave you ,
trying to apply this example to ABHP, CHP and the health physicist title
!


Good luck.

Stephane Jean-Francois P. Eng.
RSO
Merck Frosst Canada						
 ----------
From: Sandy Perle
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: The H. P. Profession
Date:  September 12, 1997 10:38

....(snip)

1. To take a Bar Exam, one must have a Law degree. The same with a
medical or engineering certification. If that were to hold true for
the CHP, should we require that they have a HP degree, and exclude
all of the other sciences? I am not suggesting this ... but other
degrees do not allow an individual to take the few I mentioned above.

2. Resources are wasted, when non-degreed individuals seek the exam,
and fail. What are these resources? How many take the exam currently,
and, considering that exams are printed, proctors are used, the
number of exam takers doesn't seem to burden any of the facilities.
Doesn't the fact that an individual pay to take the exam, help bring
funds to the ABHP?

3. The CHP shows extended learning. I agree. But doesn't the fact
that an individual, degree or no degree, and one who fails the test,
hasn't that individual gained just from studying for the exam? Isn't
that person better able to understand the principles that a
professional HP should understand?

4. The ABHP allows any individual with any science degree to take the
exam. Per my point in No. 1, why should an individual with a BS in
anthropology or botany be better suited to take and be a CHP than an
individual who is working in the field, but just doesn't have the
degree? I'm sorry, I just don't see the logic in that.

5. If an individual fails, so they fail. They can try again... degree
or no degree.

None of the reasons I have seen posted to date really answer the
thinking process that went into imposing the degree requirement. I
also suggest that since there are many who currently holding the CHP,
that were grandfathered into the organization, that they should ALL
be required to take the exam, and pass, under today's testing
requirements. Having the CHP dangling behind one's name means they
are capable of passing an exam, but says nothing regarding their
ability to apply what they have learned, or, have been able to
memorize.

 ------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306
Fax:    (714) 668-3149

mailto:sandyfl@ix.netcom.com
mailto:sperle@icnpharm.com

ICN Dosimetry Website:
http://www.dosimetry.com

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