Bob
I have followed this exchange with increasing interest.
Now I am not an occupational health nurse, nor do I claim any "professional"
or "medical" qualifications. However, I do work in what might be considered
an occupational health related field, in that my particular specialism lies
in the prevention of damage to health from workplace skin exposure. In this
I believe I can rightfully claim that I am regarded as something of a
specialist. Even the HSE has recently engaged me to provide courses on "skin
management" for some of their inspectors.
So where does this leave me in terms of my "professionalism"? Some time ago
a group of us arranged training on courtroom skills with a well known
training establishment. When I discussed my "lack of qualifications" with
the lawyers who were running the course, their response was that this was
not something that would particularly worry them. They would be happy to
regard me as an "expert" on the basis of the work I have done, papers
published etc. In fact, one of them stated that membership of a professional
body (they were not referring to nurses here, but to safety practitioners)
would not automatically confirm their professionalism.
Of course, I am not decrying the need for and benefits of registration with
a professional body. However, having recently had a member of one of the
professional bodies recommend a barrier cream as adequate protection against
hydrofluoric acid, I take the view that it is what the person has done (i.e.
their track record) that is more important for the employer. I frequently
encounter professional health and safety people who have made decisions in
my particular area of expertise that have actually increased the risk,
simply because, as generalists, they have not had sufficient knowledge of
this specific aspect.
Regards
Chris
EnviroDerm Services
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Tel: 0044 1386 832 311
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