alphabet soup: the abc’s of ehs professional designations

Alphabet Soup: The ABC’s of EHS Professional Designations

What is a Designation?

What is a Designation? “a nomination or appointment”

What is a Designation? “a nomination or appointment”

“something that designates, such as a name or distinctive mark”

What is a Designation? A process in which a person proves that they have the

knowledge, experience, and skills to perform a specific job

What is a Designation? A process in which a person proves that they have the

knowledge, experience, and skills to perform a specific job The proof comes in the form of a certificate earned by

passing an exam that is accredited by an organization or association

What is a Designation? A process in which a person proves that they have the

knowledge, experience, and skills to perform a specific job The proof comes in the form of a certificate earned by

passing an exam that is accredited by an organization or association

Monitors and upholds prescribed standards for the particular industry involved

What’s Available? ACTAR AEM AIHA AOEE AOES ASHM ASP ASSE BCEE BCPE (CPE)

CAOHC CEM CEP CET CFM CHFP CHMM CHNP CHSC CHST

What’s Available? CIE CIH CLCS CPE CPEA CPMM CPSHA CRM CRSP CSHM

CSP CTDP CTP CUSP CUXP EPI FMP GSP HMMT IEA

What’s Available? OHST QEP STS SWANA

What To Do? There are many professional designations.  It would take several working lifetimes to qualify for them all,

so you must be strategic in your choice.  You must develop some idea of your intended field of work

five or ten years in the future, and begin to gain relevant work experience in that area.

Certification vs. CertificateCertification Certificate

Results from an assessment process

Results from an educational process

Certification vs. CertificateCertification Certificate

Results from an assessment process

Results from an educational process

Typically requires some amount of professional experience

For new comers & experienced professionals alike

Certification vs. CertificateCertification Certificate

Results from an assessment process

Results from an educational process

Typically requires some amount of professional experience

For new comers & experienced professionals alike

Awarded by a 3rd-party, standard-setting organization

Awarded by training & educational programs or institutions

Indicates master/competency as measured against a defensible set

of standards, usually by application or exam

Indicates completion of a course or series of courses with a

specific focus

Certification vs. CertificateCertification Certificate

Results from an assessment process

Results from an educational process

Typically requires some amount of professional experience

For new comers & experienced professionals alike

Awarded by a 3rd-party, standard-setting organization

Awarded by training & educational programs or institutions

Indicates master/competency as measured against a defensible set

of standards, usually by application or exam

Indicates completion of a course or series of courses with a

specific focus

Has on-going requirements to maintain; individual must demonstrate

knowledge of content; holder must demonstrate they continue to meet

requirements

Is the end result; individual may or may not demonstrate knowledge of course content at the end of a

set period in time

The Process

Application Minimum requirement from education, professional development,

experienceEvaluation

Interview

Examination

Approval

Confirmation

Maintenance

Application Minimum requirement from education, professional development,

experienceEvaluation Initial assessment of application

Interview

Examination

Approval

Confirmation

Maintenance

Application Minimum requirement from education, professional development,

experienceEvaluation Initial assessment of application

Interview Peer review & verification of application assessment

Examination

Approval

Confirmation

Maintenance

Application Minimum requirement from education, professional development,

experienceEvaluation Initial assessment of application

Interview Peer review & verification of application assessment

Examination Competency based examination

Approval

Confirmation

Maintenance

Application Minimum requirement from education, professional development,

experienceEvaluation Initial assessment of application

Interview Peer review & verification of application assessment

Examination Competency based examination

Approval Governing Board approval of successful candidates

Confirmation

Maintenance

Application Minimum requirement from education, professional development,

experienceEvaluation Initial assessment of application

Interview Peer review & verification of application assessment

Examination Competency based examination

Approval Governing Board approval of successful candidates

Confirmation Signed/witnessed code of ethics, dues payment

Maintenance

Application Minimum requirement from education, professional development,

experienceEvaluation Initial assessment of application

Interview Peer review & verification of application assessment

Examination Competency based examination

Approval Governing Board approval of successful candidates

Confirmation Signed/witnessed code of ethics, dues payment

Maintenance Continuing professional development

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway?

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway? In some careers, a designation is required

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway? In some careers, a designation is required Good way to document your knowledge, skills, and abilities

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway? In some careers, a designation is required Good way to document your knowledge, skills, and abilities Gain a competitive edge

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway? In some careers, a designation is required Good way to document your knowledge, skills, and abilities Gain a competitive edge Can signify exceptional competence

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway? In some careers, a designation is required Good way to document your knowledge, skills, and abilities Gain a competitive edge Can signify exceptional competence Offers tangible and intangible benefits, which may include a

salary increase or additional responsibilities

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway?

Increased confidence and credibility

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway?

Increased confidence and credibility Proof that you could set a goal and fulfill the requirements

necessary for attaining it

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway?

Increased confidence and credibility Proof that you could set a goal and fulfill the requirements

necessary for attaining it Align yourself with the best in the industry

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway?

Increased confidence and credibility Proof that you could set a goal and fulfill the requirements

necessary for attaining it Align yourself with the best in the industry More recognition from prospective employers -mobility

Why Bother Getting A Designation Anyway?

It signals to your employer and your colleagues/clients that you are committed to professional growth in the field of occupational health, safety & environment by keeping your knowledge and skills current to better your organization's EHS function and its success

Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP)

Qualifying for the CRSP A CRSP is an individual who has met the requirements for

registration established by the Governing Board A CRSP applies broad based safety knowledge to develop

systems that will achieve optimum control over hazards and exposures detrimental to people, equipment, material and the environment

A CRSP is dedicated to the principles of loss control, accident prevention and environmental protection as demonstrated by their daily activities

Eligibility As of January 1, 2009, have successfully completed either a

one (1) year OHS college or university certificate or diploma program, OR a two (2) year non-OHS college or university program. Candidates already having a college diploma or university degree (in any discipline) are not affected by this change.

Have had three years of continuous OHS experience immediately prior to making application, and

Be currently employed greater than 50% (minimum 900 hours in a year) in a OHS practitioners role.

Examinations The closed book, 3½ -hour multiple choice examination is

scheduled in May and October A candidate who does not pass the first writing of the

examination is permitted up to three rewrites in the two year period after the first unsuccessful writing.

Syllabus General knowledge in the following areas will assist you in obtaining your CRSP

designation:

Accident Theory Environmental Practices Ergonomics Fire Prevention and Protection Health Promotion HSE Auditing Law and Ethics Occupational Health Safety and Environment Systems Occupational Hygiene Risk Management Safety Techniques and Technology

Maintaining Your CRSP A Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) has been

established to ensure that all CRSPs continue to advance their knowledge of the profession

The CMP has 15 categories of activities in three major areas 1. Professional Development2. Examinations and Additional Certifications 3. Professional Pursuits. Each category provides the opportunity to claim maintenance points. The maximum number of points that may be claimed are identified for each category.

Certified Health and Safety Consultant (CHSC)

Background It recognizes and promotes excellence in professional

consulting within and to business and industry and government agencies at all levels

The CHSC holder has completed specialized training and has passed mandatory examinations on ethics, legal obligations and liabilities, measurement and evaluation in OHS managed systems, and leadership on health, safety, and environmental issues

Qualifying for the CHSC Possess an acceptable prior academic or professional

qualification in health & safety

Currently be an internal or external health & safety advisor or consultant and effective January 1, 2011 have a minimum of five (5) years cumulative work experience within the previous seven (7) years work with a minimum of 50% OHS related duties

Qualifying for the CHSC Having successfully completed either a:

One-year college or university certificate or diploma program in occupational health, safety or environment (min. 300 instruction hours)

Two year college or university non-occupational health, safety or environment certificate or diploma program (min. 600 instruction hours)

Eligibility Effective January 1, 2011, candidates must successfully

complete six (6) courses in total (including successfully passing the course examinations)

The first CSSE course must be undertaken within one year of having been approved for the CHSC program and all six courses must be completed within a maximum of six years

Examinations The course exam is provided to participants by email within

five business days of course completion. Participants have 4 weeks from the release date to complete

the exam The exam deadline is final. Successful completion of CHSC courses requires completion

of a CHSC Exam with a minimum 75% standard. Exams require several hours additional time commitment

beyond in-class time for the student to demonstrate mastery of the course expectations. This exam follows a short answer format.

Syllabus Applied Risk Communication Assessing OHSE Training Needs and Options Consulting Skills Essentials of Risk Management Measurement and Evaluation in OHS Managed Systems Obligations and Liabilities Project Management

Maintaining Your CHSC In addition to maintaining membership in the CSSE and

providing evidence of liability insurance (min. $1 million) on an annual basis, the CHSC holder will submit a record of their maintaining the CHSC program every five (5) years

Based on a 100 point system, maintenance points are reported by the CHSC holder for relevant activities in three key areas: Continuing Education Professional Practice Leadership and Volunteer Activities

The Roles of the EHS Professional

The Roles of the EHS Professional Auditor

Auditing Association of Canada Purpose: H&S Management System auditing Designation: CHSMSA (Certified Health & Safety

Management System Auditor) Length of certification: 5 years Exam: YES Maintenance points: Must maintain an Audit Log Members: Cost: Regular Membership: $225 plus GST/HST

Student Membership: $50 plus GST/HST Benefits: Represented by a Canadian-wide association.

Members have a secure website access area to view additional resources and collaborate with other members

The Roles of the EHS Professional Auditor Coach

International Coach Federation Purpose: Mentoring and Life Coaching Designation: CMC(Certified MentorCoach) Length of certification: 3 years Exam: YES Maintenance points: 40 Continuing Coach Education Units

(CCEUs) Members: Cost: $5,995 for 125 course hours and certification

application and exam fees Benefits:

The Roles of the EHS Professional Auditor Coach Communicator

Communicator “Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational

organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations.”

Nova Scotia – 25 clubs New Brunswick – 25 clubs PEI – 4 clubs Newfoundland/Labrador - 7 clubs

Communicator Bagtown Babblers, Sackville, NB Terra Nova Club, St. John’s, NF Speak-Easy Toastmasters Club , Summerside, PEI East Toasters, Dartmouth, NS

Some have entry criteria, some are open to everyone

Communicator Competent Communicator (CC)

Complete all ten speeches in CC manual Advanced Communicator (AC)

Complete all 5 projects from two different manuals Competent Leader (CL)

Complete all 10 projects from manual Advanced Leader/Distinguished Toastmaster (Al)(DTM)

Must have served at least six months as a club officer and participated in the preparation of a Club Success Plan while serving in office

The Roles of the EHS Professional Auditor Coach Communicator Doctor

Doctor Canadian Red Cross, Royal Lifesaving Society (Canada),

St. John Ambulance, Canadian Ski Patrol Emergency & Standard Aquatic Emergency Care (Lifesaving Society) Wilderness First Aid (St. John Ambulance) Employment regulations (Red Cross) Pre-hospital care First responder Emergency Medical Responder

Emergency 1st Aid – 8 hours Primarily life threatening emergencies, CPR, bleeding, choking,

other life threatening medical emergencies Standard 1st Aid -16 hours

Includes, but not limited to: burns, poisons, bites/stings, eye injuries, head/neck injuries, chest injuries, wound care, emergency child birth, multiple casualty management

CPR/AED Level A – lowest level of CPR training Level B – learn to perform additionally on infants and children Level C – taught how to perform two-person CPR Level HCP (Health Care Professional) – artificial resuscitation,

AED use, bag-valve-mask use – considered AED certified

The Roles of the EHS Professional Auditor Coach Communicator Doctor Manager

CSHM Certified Safety Health Manager Certification

Purpose: Provides recognition of those who can apply a broad range of safety and health management tools

Length of certification: 5 years Exam: 150 multiple-choice questions Maintenance points: 30 COC (Continuance of Certification) within 5 year cycle Members: Various Cost: $100.00 United States, $200.00 USD outside US (application fee),

$200.00 (exam fee), $140.00 (renewal fee) Benefits: Individuals have been formally educated to address workplace safety

and health issues or are ready to step into entry level positions in safety management

The Roles of the EHS Professional Auditor Coach Communicator Doctor Manager Mediator

Mediator The ADR Institute of Canada, Inc.

Purpose: Established to recognize a "generalist competence", the goal being to assist the public in finding qualified mediators

Designation: C.Med(Chartered Mediator) Length of certification: 3 years Exam: 80 hours mediation theory and skills training/ 100 hours of study

or training in dispute resolution Maintenance points: Proof of Errors and Omissions Insurance in the

amount of at least $1 million aggregate must be provided with this application.

Cost: Annual maintenance fee of $150 + GST

The Roles of the EHS Professional Auditor Coach Communicator Doctor Manager Mediator Scientist

What is Occupational Hygiene?

Occupational Hygiene

Toxicology

Medicine

Ergonomics

Safety

Epidemiology

Science Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Math

Engineering

Statistics

Scientist The Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists

Purpose: To prescribe minimum levels of professional and technical competence and to register qualified candidates

To prescribe standards of practice and to set and administer a code of ethical conduct

To further the practice and foster the profession of occupational hygiene in Canada

Length of certification: 5 years Exam: 200 multiple-choice questions (1/2 day) , short answer & essay questions

(1/2 day) Maintenance: YES Members: Various Cost: Benefits:

ROH – Registered Occupational Hygienist ROHT - Registered Occupational Hygiene Technologist

Ethics

Ethics Act with integrity, competence, dignity, and in an ethical

manner when dealing with the public, clients, prospects, employers, employees, and fellow members

Ethics Act with integrity, competence, dignity, and in an ethical

manner when dealing with the public, clients, prospects, employers, employees, and fellow members

Practice and encourage others to practice in a professional and ethical manner that will reflect credit on members and their profession

Ethics Act with integrity, competence, dignity, and in an ethical

manner when dealing with the public, clients, prospects, employers, employees, and fellow members

Practice and encourage others to practice in a professional and ethical manner that will reflect credit on members and their profession

Strive to maintain and improve their competence and the competence of others in the profession

Ethics Act with integrity, competence, dignity, and in an ethical manner when

dealing with the public, clients, prospects, employers, employees, and fellow members

Practice and encourage others to practice in a professional and ethical manner that will reflect credit on members and their profession

Strive to maintain and improve their competence and the competence of others in the profession

Use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment

Time Management

Set Realistic Goals

What do you hope to accomplish by going back to school?

Set clear, specific goals — such as "To finish my nursing degree, secure a better-paying job, and eventually buy a home."

Then, with those goals in mind, give yourself permission to let go of some lesser priorities while you're in school.

This might mean that your house won't be perfectly clean, or that the bathroom isn't going to get painted until the semester break, and that's okay.

Manage Your Time Effectively

As a student, your time is more limited than ever. Resist the urge to wait for the perfect time to tackle your

schoolwork. You're probably not going to find a lot of long stretches in

your schedule where you can do your schoolwork uninterrupted.

Instead, use small chunks of “me time” whenever you can. This may mean doing some of the required reading on your lunch hour, before your kids wake up each morning, or while they're doing their own homework

Update Your Technical Knowledge If it's been awhile since you've been in a classroom, you may

find that you need to brush up on your technological skills. Many professors now expect you to e-mail your work instead

of turning in traditional typed papers. In addition, you may be expected to participate in an online list serve as part of your course work.

Most schools offer free training seminars for adult learners to need to need to gain confidence in these essential technological skills. Look into your school's Student Technology Center to access the learning opportunities available to you,

Prepare Your Family Though your family may not know it yet, your journey back to school

will be a joint effort. You're going to need their help more than ever to contribute to the

household chores, stay on top of their own schoolwork, and willingly participate in managing the household.

Decide ahead of time how you're going to accomplish this. Will you offer rewards? Allowance? Restrict their privileges if their chores aren't done?

Also, consider what you might need to teach your children before you head back to the classroom. Do they need to learn how to make their lunches? Put in a load of laundry? Doing this ahead of time will make the transition easier for all of you.

Be Organized

Your time is going to be even more limited than it already is, especially if you will be working full time and taking care of your kids while you take classes.

One of the best things that you can do for yourself is prepare in advance. Do this by getting yourself and your kids into a regular after school routine so that each family member knows his or her evening responsibilities.

In addition, if you don't currently use a calendar to keep track of your family's busy schedule, begin doing that and teach your whole family how to use the calendar as well, so that they can plan their own activities around your classroom and work schedule.

Who is Going To Pay? Most companies will sponsor, but not everyone will You may have to pay everything up front and then get

reimbursed after you’ve successfully achieved the designation

Annual maintenance fees

Take Care of Yourself

While you're going back to school, don't neglect your need to sleep and eat well.

Plan ahead and pack healthy snacks, water, and a light dinner for the nights you'll be in class or working on assignments.

THANK YOU!!