Re: HP as a career & qualifications

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

Hi Ron:

As you offered, I am responding to your private note to me, in the 
public forum. I do so because I agree with your sentiments, 
although it is my opinion that they are a stretch of the topic 
somewhat.

Your points are well taken, and I can't argue them to any degree. I 
will only add that for one to practice medicine, that they MUST hold 
a medical degree, and secondly, pass the certification 
requirements in the state in which they wish to practice. The same 
can be said for attorneys as well. Unless there is a specific 
requirement by a facility, there is no statewide, or national 
requirement for someone who professes to be a health physicist, 
that they also have a degree, and, hold a certification. The issue I 
was addressing is the notion that an individual not be considered 
"qualified" if they don't hold a degree or a certification. I just can't 
accept that.

As always, each position much be looked at on a case by case 
basis. To rule an individual as "unqualified" solely based on 
possession of a degree, or a certification, is just plain wrong, and 
should not be tolerated. Obviously if an individual has experience, 
and a degree with a certification.. terrific. That is what I meant by 
the phrase, they are a "nicety". There are other considerations 
besides the paperwork credentials. What about ability to 
communicate effectively, both verbally and in written form. The 
ability to think on their feet. The willingness to take reasonable 
risks. I'd rather have an individual who may make a mistake (not 
critical) compared to an individual who takes forever to make just 
one good decision, and missed a dozen other opportunities. What 
about being a team player. My point is, there are many factors in 
considering an individual as qualified. To place the term solely on 
degrees and certifications, well, just not acceptable.

As far as my first introductory remarks .. they were not meant to 
be offensive or insulting to anyone. I was solely referring to the 
comment how others deem an individual to be "unqualified" (can't 
remember who wrote that) but that was my point. In other words,, 
the decision makers make the decisions..and if they deem 
someone unqualified .. so be it..

As always, I appreciate your thoughts, and the time you take to 
provide them in a concise manner.

Regards.....

Sandy

Ron Kathren's letter sent privately:

Sandy --

I rather take exception to your comments about degrees and 
certification being a 'nicety'.  While there are many well qualified 
noncertified HP's, some of whom are nondegreed, degrees and 
certifications are important indicators, but by no means the only 
indicators, of qualifications.   I pose to you the following question:  
when you select a neurosurgeon, cardiovascular surgeon, or 
environmental or structural engineer, do you do so on basis of 
years of experience exclusively, or do you look at such things as 
board certifications for the physicians, or an ABET approved 
engineering degree and P.E. license for the engineers or do you 
just consider who has the most experience?  Experience is only 
one indicator, and may not be a good one inasmuch as the person 
doing the job may have had a 'cookbook' to follow or a mentor 
close at hand, or even a more knowledgeable colleague or 
subordinate.  


Just curious, you understand.  When I select a physician of any 
kind, ( or an attorney, engineer or a health physicist, for that 
matter) board certifications are indeed important.  If only 
experience counted, no inexperienced person would ever get a job!  

Get my point?  

Maybe you want to rethink your comments, especially your first 
two introductory remarks, which some may find offensive and 
insulting.  Indeed, one could counter by saying that those who do 
not hold certification and carp about those that do are simply 
expressing 'sour grapes' since typically they either failed the test or 
chose not to sit for it.  

Ron 

PS  Feel free to share the above with RadSafe if you choose; I 
thought it more appropriate to send these remarks directly and only 
to you.  

RK

 04:32 PM 2/16/99 -0600, Sandy Perle wrote:
> I'm just against being told I'm no good at my job
> without it, excuse me, that I'm "unqualified".
>
>As the old saying goes .. "He who holds the gun makes the 
rules"..
>
>The topic of qualifications, educational degrees and certifications, 
>has been kicked around many times. I have always believed that 
>the person who has the most experience in performing the job, 
>accurately, efficiently and cost-effectively, is the person that I 
want 
>on my team. Having a degree and a certification is just a "nicety". 
>Unfortunately, most HR depts. and high level executives can't see 
>that.
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