Yes, thanks Barry - I think I will end up joining IPEM... Interesting
though, since my first instinct was to join an 'institute' affiliated
with my original training (i.e. IEE / BCS)! I think i'll just join
both!
We've tried to be very specific about the specialised service we offer
(easier for us I suppose), but are also regularly meeting with the other
education and health based AAC/AT services in the area... As part of
this we produced a map of how the services should link together and
disseminated this to both professions to try and improve referrals...
www.meru.org.uk/aac-london/ for a look!
Cheers.
Simon
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Taylor, Barry [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 26 September 2003 09:44
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Careers in AT
>
>
> Simon
>
> IPEM http://www.ipem.org.uk/
> might be the closest professional body to what you do. You
> can become a member without working for the NHS (and a
> chartered engineer too). I think it's fair to say that IPEM
> has been very physics biased although it is trying to change.
> I'm not sure how it would fit in to the education field.
>
> There does seem to be an enormous gulf between AT in
> education and in health. In Hull we work closely with
> education staff (teachers, SaLTs,advisors), but still don't
> manage to talk to their technologists.
>
> Participating in a working group on "independent living"
> recently it has been interesting to see the differing views
> of what constitutes EAT or even AT. It seems partly due to
> the very diverse & patchy services around the country. And we
> didn't even touch on children! I have constant difficulty in
> defining our AT service which deals with anything that other
> provision can't handle!
>
> To answer you original question - it's very fragmented isn't
> it? I can't imagine how a career could be planned in any detail.
> Barry Taylor, Clinical Scientist
> Bioengineering Department
> Tulley Medical Physics Building, Hull Royal Infirmary
> Anlaby Road, Hull HU3 2JZ
> Tel 01482 675928, fax 01482 675750
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Simon Judge [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 25 September 2003 19:26
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Careers in AT
>
>
> Exactly! Thanks for the comments.
>
> I am currently investigating becoming registered as a
> Clinical Scientist -
> since this seems to be the nearest thing to a professional
> body. I am on
> the CS payscale although not directly working for the NHS.
> Because of this
> it looks like I wont be able to register!
>
> I don't think that the field should be defined by the professional's
> background/training/speciality. I can only think of
> vocational professions
> where people are categorised in this way. There seems to be
> plenty of them
> and us as it is (education/health/rehab). The profession is
> defined by what
> service you are providing to the end users... if it is to do
> with AT then
> you are an AT professional.
>
> Geoff - in what way is AT professional (or variant) not a identifiable
> title? Is the crux about creating a title that people can
> attach themselves
> to? What needs to happen to 'register' the title and have the relevant
> professional bodies in the different sectors recognise it (short of a
> miracle!)?
>
> RE: websites for jobs - is not FAST the kind of organisation that
> could/should host this?
>
> I didn't realise EAT didn't include powered mobility! Also -
> should the
> field be aiming towards a state where the user interface is
> not dependent
> on the technology the user is trying to use?
>
> Sorry, lots of questions and blah!
>
> Cheers.
>
> Simon
>
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