International mechanism for professional enhancement

1. International mechanism for professional enhancement Christian Wernli IRPA Task Group on Education, Training and Professional Recognition IRPA Task Group on Education, Training and Professional Recognition

2. Main activities since 2004 • Promotion of professional enhancement • Furthering harmonization of professional recognition • Participation in international and regional programs IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

3. Professional enhancement • IRPA11 (Madrid 2004): 16 Refresher Courses • Paris 2006: 9 Refresher Courses • Beijing 2006: 3 Refresher Courses • Cairo 2007: Introductionary Lectures • Brasov 2007: 4 Refresher Courses • IRPA12 (Buenos Aires 2008): 20 Professional Enhancement Sessions IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

4. Application for recognition of the RPE as an occupation by ILO In 2006 a formal recognition of an occupation in radiation protection by the ILO system was proposed by the Task Group. IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

5. International Standard Classi-fication of Occupations, ISCO IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

6. Proposed new ISCO classification IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

7. New unit Group 2263:Environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals Environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals evaluate work and other environments and develop and implement programs to monitor environmental health and occupational health and safety, to ensure safe and healthy working conditions, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, radiological and biological agents or ergonomic factors. IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

8. Examples of the occupations classified here - Environmental Health Officer - Occupational Health and Safety Adviser - Occupational Hygienist - Radiation Protection Expert (RPE) IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

9. Proposed IRPA definition of the RPE Radiation Protection Expert (RPE) is a person: - having education and/or experience equivalent to a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in radiation protection, radiation safety, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics or a closely related physical or biological science; and IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

10. Proposed IRPA definition of the RPE, cont. - has acquired competence in radiological protection, by virtue of special studies, training and practical experience. Such special studies and training must have been sufficient in the above sciences to provide the understanding, ability and competency to (1) anticipate and recognize the interactions of radiation with matter and to understand the effects of radiation on people, animals and the environment; (2) to evaluate, on the basis of training and experience and with the aid of quantitative measurement techniques, the magnitude of radiological factors in terms of their ability to impair human and environmental health and well-being; (3) to develop and implement, on the basis of training and experience, methods to prevent, eliminate, control, or reduce radiation exposure to workers, patients, the public and the environment. IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

11. Participation in international and regional programs • IRPA is an observer of the Steering Committee on Education and Training of the IAEA • IRPA is an observer of the Steering Committee of EUTERP, the European Radiation Protection Training and Education Platform IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

12. Outlook • Refresher Courses at IRPA Congresses • Co-operation with other international organizations (ILO, IAEA, EUTERP, …) • Follow up of new proposals, e.g. IRPA involvement in recognition process for RPE (?) • Involvement of AS in national education and training programs IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

13. Thank you! IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

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15. IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

16. IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

17. Proposed IRPA definition of the CRPE Certified Radiation Protection Expert (CRPE) - is a person who has received the designation certified radiological protection expert by the competent national authority and whose certification has not lapsed or been revoked. IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

18. IAEA • Strategic plan • Training centres • Train the trainers • Evaluation of training events • Definitions IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

19. EUTERP • Proposals to Art. 31 Group • Definitions IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition

20. Options for IRPA • Definition of Radiation Protection Expert RPE • Registration of RPE by ILO • Proposal for IRPA recognition of RPE for countries not having a reconition system • No direct involvement in qualifications of training materials and events due to limited resources • No involvement national registration process for RPE and RPO • Continue and expand courses at IRPA Congresses • Continue cooperations with internationa and regional organizations IRPA Task Group on Education,Training and Professional Recognition